Change Your Battery With Ease This Winter!
Winter is coming, okay it might already be here and that means some funky things in your vehicle might start happening. Like what? You may be thinking – well, cold temperatures are known to kill an already dying battery. So, what can you do? You can have your battery tested the next time you get an oil change and swap it out for a fresh new one. But, if you do find yourself stranded with a dead battery, we have your guide to swapping it out all by yourself. Check out our helpful guide to changing your dead battery below and let us know how well you did!
- With the engine turned off and cool, pop open the hood and locate your battery. Detach the negative cable (usually black) from your battery by loosening the nut with a wrench or battery pliers. Next, twist and pull up on the end of the cable with your hand to free the cable from the battery and port itself. Repeat these steps with your positive cable (usually red).
- Now that your cables are detached, unclamp the battery holding clamp that is used to keep your battery in place. You may need to use a wrench or a socket in order to free your battery. Next, remove the battery from the holding tray by using the handle or assistance if the battery is too heavy for you to lift alone.
- Your next step is to clean your cables, nuts, bolts, and holding tray from any corrosion build up. You can choose to use a battery cleaning solution or a mixture of baking soda and water might be all that you need. Be sure to rid all of your parts from corrosion and give them ample time to dry completely before inserting your new battery.
- Once everything is dry, insert the new battery into the holding tray and secure it again with the holding clamp. Apply an anti-corrosive solution to both terminal ends and attach the positive cable (red) again and be sure to tighten for a secure connection. Next, attach the negative cable (black) and secure by tightening the bolt.
- Lastly, before closing up shop – hop into the driver seat and try starting your vehicle. It should start right up and if so, close the hood and you’re good to go! If not, try securing your connections once more ensure a strong connection. If you’re still having problems, give us a call and hopefully we can walk you through it.
