Replacing a battery is one of the easiest and most common auto maintenance tasks. That being said, just because it is one of the most common and easiest tasks, does not make it any less dangerous. When performing any type of automotive maintenance, you should take some basic safety precautions, especially when you are working with electricity.
Materials and Tools:
- Adjustable wrench
- Wire brush
- Proper automotive battery
- Rubber gloves
- Clean cloths
- Water (clean)
Steps:
- Remove. Locating the old battery under the hood of your car. You should see two terminals, or posts, one colored red and the other black. The red post is typically the positive (+) and the black one is usually the negative (-). Remove the keys from the ignition and then remove the cables from the battery terminals. Disconnect the black one first, then the red one. Remove the battery. If it won't come out, look for any clamps that might be holding the battery in place. Remove them and you should be able to lift the battery out.
- Clean. If the battery tray appears to be dirty, use some clean water and the wire brush to clean it. Always wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from any battery acid that could be on the tray. Dry everything off. You don't want to put a new battery into the tray if it is still wet.
- Replace. Install the new battery by reversing what you did in step 1.
- Dispose. Take your old battery to an automotive supply store. They often have the proper methods for disposing of used batteries and do it either for free or a minimal charge.
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Lee Wyatt
Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. Learn more about Lee...
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