Media post: How to Do Car Battery Replacement Safely on Your Own

The steadfast, quiet member of the automotive squad is the car battery. They carry out their duties in spite of the heat, the cold, and the drivers’ high expectations. Though it is a pleasure when a car starts the first time you turn the key, batteries don’t last forever.

As long as you can read, you can understand how to replace a car battery and what it entails.

Without much further ado, let’s get started.

How Long Do Car Batteries Last?

In truth, a car battery will last roughly four years on average, depending on where you live, how you drive, the state of your charging system, and numerous other factors. And when it finally fails, your automobile usually stops working with no warning.

So the simple rule of thumb for battery replacement is: The battery has around four years before it starts to supposedly turn from a chemical powerhouse to a chemical waste. Start keeping an eye out for symptoms at the four-year mark, which we’ll cover shortly, and get ready to take action.

Signs of Car Battery Problems

Drivers frequently ignore car batteries until it is too late even though they are so straightforward and dependable. By keeping an eye on your car’s battery and carrying out some regular checks and inspections, you may reduce your chances of getting stranded on the road. 

Battery testers come in a variety of designs and price ranges. Some measure the charge by plugging into your car’s cigarette lighter, while others attach to the battery or its terminals to provide a reading. To protect your hands and face from battery acid or corrosion, put on gloves and goggles if you’re opening the hood to attach a tester to the battery. 

When changing the oil and as part of routine vehicle maintenance, this check should be carried out. The battery itself can also provide signs that the battery is nearing the end of its life. So some signs you must need to know-

– The first factor is its age. Expect trouble if the battery is more than three or four years old. 

– Examine your driving behaviors. Remember that short outings and prolonged periods of idleness will deplete a battery’s capacity. 

– Examine the battery itself. Corrosion or stains indicate a leak. If your battery is protected by a case or insulating sleeve, remove it from time to time to see what’s going on below.

– Check for accumulation around the terminals as well. You may remove the buildup using baking soda and water if you use gloves and safety glasses while working. The electrolytic solution contains sulfuric acid, which is harsh on the skin. 

– Inspect the battery for rotten egg scents (sulfur) or the smell of the battery overheating.

What You’ll Need to Replace the Car Battery

If you can get stranded, you must keep these tools with you so that you can check it out or get help with the battery replacement. Such as-

– Fully charged battery

– Battery terminal puller 

– Open or box end wrenches or sockets

– Battery post and terminal cleaning tool

– Battery terminal protectors

– Battery terminal and post grease

– Shop towels

– Safety glasses

– Battery carrying strap

– Gloves

7 Steps of How to Replace a Car Battery

We’ve put together those seven steps to help you learn how to safely change a dead car battery. These are-

– Disconnect the cables from the battery terminals.On cars with a negative ground (noted by a minus sign), loosen the screw and bolt holding the battery cable clamp to the negative terminal. If your vehicle has a positive ground, you would first release the positive cable.

– Take out the screws or fasteners that are securing the battery in place, then the battery itself. Keep track of where you placed the battery screws and make sure they don’t roll under the car. Wear gloves when carefully removing the battery.

– Examine the tray on which the old battery was placed. If the tray beneath is rusted or has corrosive layers, dilute some baking soda in water and clean the tray with this solution. Do not do this without first wearing gloves. This is also the time to clean your battery terminals.

– Place your new car battery in the tray.Check to ensure it is facing the same direction as its predecessor and securely seated.

– To put the new battery in place, replace the screws/fasteners.The battery is now free of any possible jiggle.

– Reinstall your battery cables in the reverse order that you removed them. For example, the positive cable is rejoined in a negative ground vehicle.Check that all reconnected clamps have a firm hold on the posts.

– Get rid of your old battery properly. Batteries must be disposed of lawfully and ethically since they are hazardous and corrosive. Special recycling centers will accept old batteries and charge a small fee to dispose of them. Old automotive batteries should not be thrown away or recycled.

Final words      

The most difficult and properly executed task can be changing a car battery. So, you can use a Dyson V6 battery replacement that helps you find the right battery and identify the issues with its cordless vacuum. Stay safe while replacing it or call a mechanic to get out of this problem.