It would be nice if your car battery lasted for the life of your car but unfortunately they will all die eventually. Once your battery quits taking a charge, it is time to change it. The following steps will help you change a battery on your own.
Check for Other Problems First
Before you take out the old battery, check that the battery terminals are properly connected and are not corroded. If you see any corrosion buildup near them, clean the posts with baking soda and an old toothbrush. If the battery is still not responsive continue on to the next steps.
Pull out the Old Battery
After cleaning off the terminal posts, use a wrench to loosen and remove the negative terminal clamp. Follow the same steps to slide the positive side clamp off of the post. Do not allow the wrench to contact with any of the metal components when removing your battery. Doing so could result in serious shock, sparks and short circuits. Once the battery connectors have been removed, grab the battery and lift it out of its compartment. Before installing your new battery, properly clean off all of the contact points and the battery shelf underneath the hood.
New Battery Installation
Place the new battery on the battery shelf. The battery is positioned the way the old battery was. Tighten the bracket to keep your new battery in place securely while you put the clamps over the correct terminals. It is very important to be sure that your wrench does not make any contact with any other metal objects. When everything is completely bolted down and tightened, close the hood and try to crank the vehicle. If you have successfully installed the battery you are done. Keep in mind that when you change a car battery, most of the time you will have to reset your radio station presets and the time on your car clock.
Final Step
Please remember to properly dispose of the old dead battery in a safe way. Never throw out a car battery with your regular trash pickup. The best way to recycle is to simply find a nearby recycling center. If you cannot find a recycling center then turn it in at a local garage or auto parts retailer.
By following the steps listed above you can properly change your car battery without the help of a professional.
*Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
