DIY Guide: 10 Easy Steps to Change Your Car Battery and Get Your Vehicle Running Smoothly Again!

Let’s pretend it’s the weekend, and it’s a gorgeous day outside. You have a full schedule for the day, which includes hanging out with friends, completing some obligations, and possibly going shopping. As you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, you start singing along with your favorite song as you turn the key in the ignition. Oh my God, your vehicle won’t even turn over!

You attempt again, again, and again. You are still having trouble getting your car to start, and you have no clue what to do. If that is the case, then let’s just come clean and admit that the situation is a complete catastrophe! It is an indication that you need to get a new battery for your vehicle.

When we speak about car batteries, it should come as no surprise that the battery in your vehicle is the source of power for all of the electrical components in your vehicle. On the other hand, the significance of it is frequently dismissed as unimportant. But just you wait until the day that the battery in your vehicle dies, and then you will find yourself completely stranded.

It is strongly suggested that one of the repairs and maintenance chores that you can and should do yourself is to change the battery in your vehicle. However, it does not appear to be an easy undertaking for the majority of people who own cars. Because of all of these factors, the topic of discussion for this article is going to be a car battery. In the first part, I will tell you how often you should change your battery and provide you with some additional helpful information. In the second part, I will explain how to change your battery yourself in ten simple steps.

When does your car battery need to be replaced?

The battery in a car is a rechargeable battery that provides the motor vehicle with the energy it needs to run electrical systems. The primary function of this battery, which is also known as a starting-lighting-ignition (SLI) battery, is to kickstart the vehicle’s engine.

The most essential task that a battery must complete is being able to kick-start a vehicle. If the battery in your car is completely empty or has a low charge, your vehicle will not start. In order to maintain the functionality of your vehicle, it is imperative that you are aware of when it is time to replace the battery in your vehicle. I have outlined in this article some warning signs that should be looked out for to determine whether or not your battery is close to dying, as well as some methods to determine when it is time to replace it. In addition to that, I will also provide you with some helpful information regarding the battery in your vehicle.

1. Warning signs that may indicate your battery is falling

In this section, as I just mentioned in the previous one, I will provide you with some warning indications that can assist you in determining whether or not it is necessary to replace the battery in your vehicle. There are many signs and indicators that you need to look out for, including the following:

Slow engine crank:

When you try to start the vehicle, the engine cranking is lethargic, and starting the vehicle takes a little bit more time than usual. This is a warning that the battery in your device needs to be examined or replaced.

Check engine light:

When your vehicle’s battery capacity is low, the check engine light may occasionally illuminate. In this scenario, the majority of drivers are likely to think it is a misunderstanding or that the issue will resolve itself. It is not something you should disregard; instead, you should consider having one of your certified technicians take a look at it.

Low battery fluid level:

Because most car batteries have a portion of the casing that is translucent, you will always be able to keep a close watch on the fluid level in your battery. If the fluid level in the battery is lower than the lead plates, it is time to have the battery and charging mechanism checked out.

The swelling, bloating battery case:

The casing for your battery appears to have just finished a very hearty dinner. Excessive heat is the culprit behind the swelling of your battery container, which in turn shortens the life of your battery.

There is a stinky, rotten egg smell:

The area around the battery has a strong stench of sulfur, similar to that of rotten eggs. This is due to the fact that the battery is seeping. Leaking is also the source of corrosion around the posts (which are the locations of the positive and negative cable connections). It’s possible that the grime needs to be cleaned off before your vehicle will turn over.

Old age:

The lifespan of your battery may extend well beyond three years. When it approaches the three-year mark, you should start conducting annual inspections to determine the current condition of it.

2. Useful information about car battery

In addition to keeping an eye out for the warning signals described above, becoming more knowledgeable about car batteries can also assist you in inspecting and maintaining your vehicle, as well as your battery. The following is some information that could be helpful to you and that I believe you should be aware of:

What affects the life of a battery?

There are many potential causes for a battery to stop functioning, but the most prevalent ones are as follows:

• Leave your headlights, interior lights or radio running

When your vehicle is parked in one place for an extended length of time, you should keep the radio, headlights, and interior lights on.

• Not using your car for a long time

Because the battery won’t get charged by the engine, it will eventually expire.

• The failure of the diode bridge or voltage regulator in the alternator

This is due to the fact that, when the engine is turned on, the alternator is supposed to charge the battery, but if it breaks down, the battery won’t get the charge it needs and the engine won’t start.

• The temperature drops well below zero degrees

It’s possible that the charger will freeze!

less time before the battery dies. Your battery won’t have enough time to completely recharge if you take a lot of short trips (those that are less than 20 minutes long), which will shorten the battery’s overall life expectancy.

How long does a battery last?

The typical lifespan of a vehicle battery is between five and seven years. If the vehicle is driven on a daily basis and the battery is kept completely charged, it will have a longer lifespan.

When is the best time to replace a battery?

Because the majority of battery-related issues manifest themselves during the chilly winter months, you ought to get it supplanted well in advance of the season. If you don’t have to worry about your car not starting during the winter, the best time to get a new battery for your vehicle is when you first observe that its power is starting to decrease. It is important to remember to get a new battery before going on a long road journey if you don’t want to find yourself stranded in the middle of the road due to the fact that your old battery died.

How to change your car battery

The lifespan of the battery in your vehicle is finite. Because of this, you will eventually have to get a new one. Changing a battery, on the other hand, is a task that can be done quickly and easily with only a few tools, so you can try your hand at doing this on your own. However, you need to exercise extreme caution around it because it is an essential component of the vehicle and can pose risks. Before you go and change the battery in your car, I’m going to give you some information in this section about some essential things to keep in mind. After that, we will be able to proceed to the 10 primary stages.

1. Before changing your car battery

A few things need to be brought to your attention before you begin, and they are as follows:

Make sure the battery needs to be replaced

Take into consideration the following three factors if you do not want to waste time and money installing a new battery when the issue is not directly related to the battery itself:

• Check for the accumulation of nitrate. (a whitish or blue residue around the terminal). Taking this out of the equation can often fix problems caused by a defective battery. This residue could be an indication that the seal around the battery terminals is broken, which would result in acid seeping out onto the terminals.

NOTE: Do not touch this powder with your bare hands because it frequently contains sulfuric acid that has dried out and will start to burn your flesh if it comes into contact with it.

• Check to see that the battery has been allowed the opportunity to fully recharge before continuing. (drive constantly for 30 minutes with minimal electrical usage, including the air conditioner)
• Make sure the alternator is working. When the engine is operating, a battery meter is included in some automobiles; in a vehicle with a well-functioning charging system, the alternator typically maintains a charge that is somewhere between 13.8 and 14.2 volts. When the engine is turned off and there is no burden on the accessories, the battery should have between 12.4 and 12.8 volts.

Buy the correct replacement battery

Find out what kind of battery you’re replacing (or the measurements of your battery), and bring this information along with the make, model, and horsepower rating of your vehicle to an auto parts store in your area.

Set up a secure working environment

Check to see that the car has been turned off thoroughly. (has been off for at least two minutes). Put the break on for the parking spot.

Open the hood of your vehicle

2. Steps to change your car battery

To change the battery in your vehicle, those are all the requirements you need to know. If you have completed all of the steps outlined above, the following ten stages will guide you through the process of changing the battery in your vehicle:

Step 1: Locate the battery

To find out where your car’s battery is located, you can look in the owner’s handbook for your vehicle. Under the hood of many newer automobiles, there is only a limited amount of space available. It’s possible that some of the batteries are stored in the trunk, while others might be hidden under the floorboard or even hidden behind the wheel wells.

Step 2: Identify battery terminals

Determine which posts are favorable and which are negative:

• The positive terminal: have a plus sign (and is often red)
• The negative terminal: have a minus sign (and is often black).

Step 3: Disconnect the negative terminal

To disconnect the connection and terminal that are attached to the negative post of the battery, use a wrench to loosen the nut or bolt that is holding it in place.

NOTE:

It is imperative that no metallic objects come into simultaneous contact with both battery terminals.

Under no circumstances should you allow your wrench to make simultaneous contact with the positive terminal and the body or bumper of the vehicle.

Step 4: Disconnect the positive terminal

Step 5: Remove the car battery

• Remove any screws, clamps, or bars that are securing the battery in position, and then unfasten the holder for the battery. Remove the battery from the vehicle in a cautious manner.
• NOTE: the battery can weigh anywhere from 13.5 to 27 kilograms; therefore, if you have any back issues, you should ask for assistance when lifting it.

Step 6: Clean the terminal clamps and the battery tray

Make use of a solution made of baking powder and a wire brush. Before moving on to the next stage, make sure the area in question is completely dry.

NOTE: If there is significant corrosion on the terminal ends or the cables, you should seriously consider having a mechanic either restore them or replace them.

Step 7: Replace the battery

Put the replacement battery in the same spot where the old one was before you took it out. Check to see that the positive and negative terminals are on the appropriate edges of the device. After that, you should secure the battery by reattaching any fasteners, clamps, or bars that were previously removed.

Step 8: Reconnect the positive terminal and the negative terminal

Step 9: Apply battery lithium grease

Spray the terminals with lithium grease to prevent corrosion.

Step 10: Close the hood

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Put the bonnet back on your vehicle. After one minute has passed, you are free to attempt to start the vehicle. If the car starts up without any issues and you see that all of the lights come on, then you should be congratulated because you have successfully changed the battery in your vehicle.

A KIND REMINDER: Batteries contain a poisonous and corrosive substance, and as such, they need to be disposed of in the correct manner. You can get a recommendation by contacting the recycling facility in your area.

As you can see, changing the battery in your vehicle is a straightforward endeavor that you are fully capable of completing on your own provided that you are adequately prepared. It is my hope that this article will provide you with some helpful information that you can use to maintain your vehicle’s battery, information that will allow you to determine whether or not your battery needs to be replaced, and, last but not least, information that will assist you in learning how to replace your battery. When you get a chance, try changing the battery in your vehicle.