Blog / Maintenance

Change Yo’ Battery: A Guide

Have you noticed a change in your vehicle? Perhaps, you can tell that the battery is on its last leg and it’s time for a replacement. A great way to check is by asking one of our technicians to test the battery during your next oil change. Often times, this can catch a dying battery in the act and will keep you from getting stranded on the side of the road. If your battery is dead or is on its way out, it is time for a change and we want to tell you how you can change it from the convenience of your own driveway. Follow our guide and get ready to learn some battery knowledge!
  1. Check the owner’s manual for the location of your battery or simply pop open the hood and take a look. More often than not, the battery will stick out and you’ll notice it right away. Identify the positive posts from the negative. Positive posts/cables are often red and have a plus sign on it. Negative posts/cables are often black and have a negative sign.
  2. Using a wrench, loosen the bolt that has secured the negative terminal and cable to the negative post. Once the bolt is loose, pull the cable away from the post and set off to the side out of the way. Repeat with the positive terminal. Always do the negative post first! 
  3. Remove the clamp or whatever may be holding the battery in the holding tray. Carefully, lift the battery out of the tray and take note that it will be heavy. If you notice corrosion to the battery cables, terminals, holding tray or posts - use a wire brush and anti-corrosive cleaning solution. Make sure that all parts are dry before replacing the battery.
  4. Insert the new battery into the holding tray and secure it once more with the clamp. Remove the plastic covers that cover battery posts and install anti-corrosion washers over them. Apply a thin layer of grease to posts and terminals before connecting the positive terminal to the positive post FIRST. Use a wrench to tighten the connector until snug and repeat for the negative terminal.
  5. Give the battery a wiggle. If it moves, you need to tighten the clamp to ensure that the battery is not able to move when you’re driving along the roadway.
And, voila! You are done and have successfully installed a new battery into your precious vehicle! For questions, reach out to our service department and they will be able to assist you further!
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