Aug 1, 2018
There is nothing better than a little DIY when it comes to your vehicle. Not only does it help you familiarize yourself with your vehicle but it also is a good way to make sure your vehicle is keeping up with regular maintenance in between scheduled service visits. This week we are here to teach you how to change your battery all by yourself. Don’t panic – it is not as hard as you may think it is. Let’s get started!
- With the engine off and cool, pop open the hood and locate the battery. First, loosen the nut and detach the negative (black) cable from the terminal using a wrench or a pair of battery pliers. Then, detach the positive (red) cable from the terminal using the same method. NEVER use a screwdriver or pry bar to detach the cables.
- Remove the battery hold-down clamp using a ratchet or wrench.
- Remove the battery from the holder, batteries tend to be heavy, seek assistance if it is needed or grab from the bottom using both hands. Use the handle if the battery has one.
- Using a battery cleaning solution, clean the battery tray holder thoroughly to rid the tray of any built-up corrosion. Let the tray dry completely before inserting the new battery.
- With a wire brush, clean the battery cable connectors. If your cables have heavy corrosion, use the battery cleaning solution.
- Place the new battery into the holding tray and secure with the hold-down clamp.
- Spray both terminals with anti-corrosion solution and reattach the terminals starting with the positive cable and then the negative.
- Ensure all cables and clamp are fastened tightly. Wiggle the battery, if it has room to move continue to tighten the clamp until there is no movement. Do the same with the battery cables.
And there you have it, a fresh new battery in your ride! Have questions? Reach out to our service department and let them assist you with all of your battery needs.
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