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Summary: In this guide you will learn how to identify your cars battery and change it for a new one.
How to change your cars battery
Please note that this is only a general guide and is not specific to any one make or model of vehicle. For more detailed information on your own particular car, please consult a workshop manual specific to your own make and model!
Please read this first
If you have recently driven your vehicle, please leave it for at least an hour for the engine and other components to cool down. If you do not you may risk injury!
Required Tools:
1. Set of metric spanners
2. 10/13mm sockets + ratchet and 8" extension (if the spanners wont fit around the terminal attachments)
3. New battery (check your vehicle user manual for exact make and model)
4. A flat head screw driver (if the terminals are a little difficult to remove)
5. Wire brush
6. Piece of course glass paper
7. Pair of surgical gloves
6. Box of baking soda
8. Protective goggles
9. An old rag
CAUTION: In this project you will have to disconnect your cars battery. By doing so you may cause the loss of any “settings” that have been stored eg the stereo presets, seating positions and more importantly alarm and key fob settings! Check with your manufacturer if you are not sure whether you should do this!!)
Step 1 – Open the bonnet
Open the bonnet of your vehicle via the release catch normally located just under the dash board on either the driver or passenger’s side, walk to the front of the car and slide your hand under the bonnet and squeeze the latch. When the latch releases prop the bonnet up using the provided support.
Step 2 – Identify the battery
CAUTION: When dealing with a cars battery, the obvious danger is electricity, but this is not the only one. Batteries contain Sulfuric Acid which is highly corrosive and harmful and it also produces a flammable gas. In light of this, always work in a well ventilated area and wear protective gloves and eyewear.
In the event of any leaks from the battery, cover with baking soda.
Also be very aware if you are in the process of disconnecting the positive terminal. when loosening the clamp retaining nut do not touch the spanner against the body of the car as you will get a nasty shock! If you are unsure about this please consult a qualified mechanic.
With the bonnet now open, you first need to identify the location of the battery. Depending on your make and model, this could be anywhere, but in the majority of vehicles this should be either on the left hand side of the engine bay or at the top, just under the windscreen (except for Austin/Morris/Rover Mini's where it is in the boot!).
Step 3 - Check the old battery
Before you go out and spend good money on a new battery, just check over the old one first as you may be able to repair it. Take your flat head screw driver and prize off (or un-screw depending on make) the battery chamber cover and peer down in. You should be able to see the top of the lead plates of the battery and the water level should be to the top of these plates. If you cannot see any water, then this may be your problem! Top up the water level using only distilled water (you can get this from most garages or hardware stores).
Also look at the leads that are attached to the battery. Some older batteries can create a sulphate build-up (this appears as a whitish powdery substance) and can corrode the terminals and create a bad connection. Either, give this a gentle tap with a hammer or a gentle scrub with a wire brush and baking soda/water mix.
As a final measure, check around the battery for any leaks or obvious cracks.
If none of the above have solved the problem then it is likely that the battery is simply old and needs replacing.
Step 4 - Disconnect the terminals
In order to remove the battery you first have to disconnect the battery terminals (the wires connected to the battery). When disconnecting a battery, you should always start with the negative terminal first. Select the appropriate size spanner (this is usually either 10 or 13mm) and loosen the bolt on the side of the clamp (you may not be able to get a spanner on due to space issues. In this case use a socket). When the clamp is lose, take your flat head screw driver and prize the terminal connection up and off.
Repeat this step for the positive terminal.
NOTE: on the majority of cars, both terminal cables should be labeled or marked (red for positive black for negative). If not, you may want to label them yourself before you take them off as if you re-connect them incorrectly this can cause a lot of damage to the electrical system.
With both terminal clamps now removed you may want to clean them with a baking soda solution and then dry them off with an old rag and then give them a good scrubbing with the glass paper (inside and out) to get the best possible connection you can to the new battery (if the terminals are badly corroded then replace them also)
Step 5 - Remove the battery clamp/bracket
The majority of batteries (but not all) are held in place by a bracket or clamp (for examples see pictures below). To remove the battery you will first need to remove the clamp/bracket. Simply use the appropriate spanner or socket (if you cant get to it with a spanner), undo the bolt/nut and remove.
Step 6 - Remove the old battery
With the clamp now removed you can remove the old battery. Get a good grip and lift the old battery clear of its housing. NOTE: batteries are heavy! If you have back problems you may need some assistance. Also, take note of which way around the battery goes (positive to the left or top etc...) so that you know which way to put the new one in.
With the old battery gone, take some time to check the battery tray (the plate that the battery sits on) for evidence of corrosion. If this is badly corroded (as it sometimes can be due to battery leaks) then replace (you may need the assistance of a mechanic for this). If it is free from corrosion and appears to be fine, then clean with the baking soda solution and then dry it off
Step 7 - Fit the new battery
This is pretty much the reverse process of removing the old one. Pick up the new battery (make sure its the correct way around and will correspond to the correct terminals when in situ) and place it down on to the battery tray. Re fit the clamp/bracket and clamp the battery down (be careful not to clamp it too tightly and crack the new battery!) and finally re-fit and tighten the terminals (remember, positive first and negative last). Make sure that the terminal clamps are tight as to avoid any lose connections, but again not too tight to cause any damage.
Step 8 - Testing
With the new battery fitted, remove all unwanted objects from the engine bay such as tools and start the engine. If all it well the it should start first time, if not then check the water level in the new battery and both the terminals.
NOTE: make sure you dispose of your old battery in the correct manner as it is against the law to simply discard it. Most scrap yards and recycling centers will take them, possibly for a small fee.
You have now successfully completed this project.
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