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It’ll happen to all of us eventually… that dreaded “click click” sound when you turn the ignition. Your battery is dead, and no amount of “clicking” is going to bring it back to life again. If you’ve already jump-started your car a few times in the last month, you should probably consider replacing your car battery, a relatively inexpensive piece of machinery (often less than 100 bucks).
Tools Needed
- A couple wrenches or pliers
- Hammer
- Baking soda and water
- Paintbrush
- Rag
- Wire brush
DIY Steps to Replace Your Battery
- Make sure your car’s electric system isn’t active by removing the keys from the ignition.
- Brush a solution of baking soda and water onto the battery terminals with your paintbrush. This concoction is great for removing sulfate which builds up on the terminals over time. Sulfate makes the battery terminal cables really hard to remove, but it also interferes with the electrical connection. Tap the terminals with the hammer to help loosen the deposits. Wipe away the baking soda solution.
- Check the battery case for any cracks where battery acid might leak out while you’re moving it. Make a note of the cracks so you will avoid touching those areas. Although it provides very little protection, a layer of duct tape over the cracks can help identify those areas.
- Use a crescent wrench or pair of pliers to remove the battery terminal cables. Start with the negative one (it’s black). These are fastened with basic nuts and bolts, but they are on tight. Use the hammer to tap the wrench to help loosen the connection further for very stubborn bolts. Once the cables are loose, set your tools away from the battery and gently lift the cables off of the terminals. (Your metal tools can cause an electrical charge, and the moment when the cables come off the terminals can be a little dangerous.)
- There should also be a plate near the bottom of the battery that holds it in place. This usually has the same nuts/bolts combination as on top.
- When the battery is free, lift it straight up very slowly while wearing sturdy gloves. Some batteries have a handle on top, but some don’t or the handle has corroded off. Regardless of where you have to grasp the battery, lift it up and be sure to not let any battery acid splash out. Set the battery on the ground.
- Give the terminal cables and clamps a good cleaning again, preferably with a battery terminal cleaner. You can also spray the clamps with an anti-corrosion spray that will limit the build-up of sulfate on your new battery.
- Seat your new battery in its new home. Reverse the process you did to remove the old battery, starting with the positive terminal (it’s red). Once both terminals are attached, fasten any bolts that hold the battery in place. These might seem inconsequential, but they are key if you ever end up driving over a speed bump too quickly or any other bump in the road.
- Try the ignition. Hopefully, if the dead battery was your problem in the first place, it should start right up.
- Dispose of your old battery responsibly. Some states require the store where you bought your new battery to take your old one. If not, you need to bring your old battery to a toxic waste disposal center on your own. This is crucial, since the battery acid and lead is deadly to the environment. Many times, your old battery components can be recycled into new batteries, so you’re doing an extra good turn for the environment.
Happy driving!
