Can I replace the battery in my car?

Question

The battery has died and I must either face towing the vehicle to a garage or replacing it myself. Quite honestly, I am much more confident tearing out a computer's hard drive than a vehicle's battery. After all, what really matters is the color of the car - right? Is this something that a relatively handy person, albiet a mechanically challenged one, do? Is there anything I should be careful about?

Answer 1

If you can tear out a hard drive, be confident, you can replace a car battery.

There is typically a few bolts holding the battery to the frame of the car. There are two standard types. One type has a bar that runs across the top of the battery to secure it. The other type is a small wedge shaped towards the bottom of the battery that wedges itself to secure the battery from the bottom. Look for both types. If you have the wedge type You'll need an 8" extension to a ratchet to remove it.

Make sure the new battery you get has the positive and negative terminals in the EXACT same location. Best is to take the old battery to the shop and do an exact compairson so you don't accidently mix this up. The positive terminal is typically LARGER than the negative terminal if you have the top post terminal type.
Only thing is to not mix them up!

Proper removal method is to remove the negative ground first. then the positive red. Reinstall in reverse order. Install the positive red first, then the negative.

If it is really only the battery that has died, you can also get someone to jump start the car and drive the car to an automotive store. A place like Autozone will replace your battery for you if you purchase the battery from them for FREE. This way you can watch them, so in the future if you need to do it yourself, you can!

The thing you should be careful about is if there is any white or bluish stuff around the terminals. This is crystalized acid. If I remember my chemistry properly, the crystalized acid around the terminals is actually crystalized HCL. If you see the crystalized acid around the terminals. Use a mixture of baking soda and water to neturalize it. Use a pair of goggles or at a minimum some eye glasses while you pour the mixture on the acid. It should neutralize it almost immediately. Use an old brush to remove anything that's remaining. Once done. soak anything that touched the acid in a mixture of baking soda and water to neutrailze any additional acid.

The mixture of liquid inside the battery is H2SO4 or sulfuric acid. There is a cap on the battery. Just make sure the battery is not leaking and the plastic casing is not damaged. The acid should be safely contained inside so there isn't anything to worry about here.

That's about all there is to changing a battery.

Answer 2

Yes, replacing a battery is very easy. You will need a rubber coated handled pliers to losen the battery terminals. pay attention to the negative post and the positive post, do not let the two cables touch each other. Take one off then toe other. Look at your new battery, there will be a negative sign by one post and a positive post on the other side, reinstall battery, tighten battery cables. If you have a problem, knock on the neighbors door, I'm sure that they will be willing to pitch in. Sometimes the battery's are locked down, check for that if the battery won't lift out, its just a nut to loosen and retighten

Answer 3

all you need is one tool - a wrench that fits the terminal connection - usually a 10mm for all foreign and some domestics. and you may need another tool to pull off the battery strap. first take off whatever is holding the battery in place in the car - usually a metal bar that fits across the top and can be unscrewed from the top or side somewhere. then make sure you know which terminal is which - look on the battery - make a note of which terminal goes to the positive and negative side (this is the most important part). take out the old battery and put the new one in making sure you are matching the correct terminals. tighten everything back up and put back on the keeper bar or strap and bam done

Answer 4

You can do it your self. Make sure you have the right battery then follow these directions... for the most part They came from this link its pretty easy even for a computer geek...I mean that in a good way. I do all my own minor repairs.

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/doityourself/a/blbattery.htm

What you will need:

1. An adjustable wrench or a socket wrench
2. New battery
3. Wire brush or battery terminal cleaner
4. Clean water
5. Safety glasses
6. Rubber gloves (Optional)
7. Can of Rust-O-Lieum primer
8. White Lithium Grease

Why replace your battery?
A good battery is essential to the proper operation of your vehicle. A good battery can last for about five years with the proper care. Battery failure can occur in as little as three years in very hot or cold climates since these conditions take a heavy toll on your vehicles battery. Some cause of premature battery failure are overcharging, undercharging, abuse, or vibration. Modern vehicle computer systems create a small but constant drain on batteries, even when the vehicle is parked, long sitting periods can cause a vehicle's battery to go dead and need a charge.

At some point, your battery will need to be replaced. This is usually a simple task, but sometimes they can be difficult do to severe corrosion. If your battery looks like it's going to be very difficult, take it to a professional and have them replace it.

Get the correct battery for your car. Check with your local auto parts store for the correct type and size. It is a good idea to bring your old battery in to be sure you get the correct replacement, and you can leave it there to be recycled. Make sure your new battery is fully charged.

It's always a good idea to wear safety glasses when changing your battery. I wear a pair of latex examination gloves, exactly like your Doctor uses, to help keep my hands clean and protect them from battery acid. You can buy them at the auto parts store.

WORK IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA AWAY FROM SPARKS OR OPEN FLAMES. DO NOT SMOKE.

*

Disconnect the negative cable first and then disconnect the positive cable.
*

Remove the battery hold down. It may be along the top of the battery or on the battery tray clamped to the side of the battery.
*

Once it is free, carefully lift it up and out of the tray.

BATTERY'S CONTAIN SULFURIC ACID AND IT CAN BURN YOUR SKIN. IT IS VERY CORROSIVE TO ANYTHING IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH.

* Look at the battery tray. If there are signs of rust and corrosion, clean it off with plenty of clear water. Allow the tray to dry and spray it with the primer to prevent further deterioration.
* Place the new battery in the tray and reinstall the hold down clamp.
* If you have a top terminal battery, clean the inside of the cables with a battery brush and wire brush the battery posts. If you have a side terminal battery, clean the terminals with the wire brush.
* Check and make sure there is no corrosion on the battery cables. Clean them as required.
* Reattach the positive battery cable first and then the negative battery cable. Tighten the tight but on side terminal batteries do not over tighten. You can pull the side post out of the battery if you over tighten them.
* Give the terminals a good coating of White Lithium Grease to keep them from getting corroded.
* Start the engine and you're done.

This is a quick and easy job that should take 30 to 45 minutes.

Answer 5

yes you have to unscrew the cables on the top of the battery. then just take it out the place new battery in and reattach cables. but make sure that there aren't any extra screws at the bottom.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

just make sure u connect ur cables correctly.dependin on ur car its adviced to disconnect the positive terminal first then reconnect it first.