Replacing car battery on time is crucial, waiting for the battery to be completely dead and then going to replace is the worst thing one could do in terms of car maintenance. Now many car owners find it unnecessary to go for a car battery maintenance service and feel like they can do it by themselves and save some money. Well, it is an agreeable point. One can surely change the car battery by following the safety standards and proper instructions.
Is it the right time to change the car battery?
Generally, the car battery comes with its own life span so if you thing its already been long since you changed the car battery you should get it inspected and take the decision further. Other than this there can be other possible signs that the car battery needs a replacement. For this you have to regularly check the car battery, and if you notice any of the signs such as bloating in the battery case, or leakage of the battery fluid. A slow engine crank can also be probable indication that battery replacement is required.
Is it safe to change the battery by yourself?
Well in the response to this question only one answer fits right, anything is unsafe if not done the right way. Car battery replacement or for that matter anything related to car maintenance has to be handled with extreme carefulness as any wrong step could possibly lead to mishap. Thus, it is importance to have a proper knowledge of the components, the location, procedure and the tools and equipment involved.
Make sure to take a look at the manual and yes, the era of technology has its own advantages, you can also choose to watch some tutorial videos, but make sure they are from reliable source and are not incorrect or mis informing.
The procedure
If you have made up your mind to not opt for any car battery services and replace the car battery all by yourself here is the step by step procedure for you.
- The first step obvious goes with locating the battery. The typical position of a car battery is generally in one corner in the engine bay. But in case you are new to this and are unable to locate the battery you can refer to the user’s manual which comes with graphic representation of the components of the car in general. Also, in the newer car models the battery comes enclosed in a plastic casing in order to prevent it from damage from any external material. Hence it is better that you do have the proper equipment to begin the process of replacement.
- The next step to be followed is to disconnect the car battery. This would need a lot of attention and careful operations to avoid any possible danger. The battery will have two cables via which they are connected to the unit, one is the positive terminal and the other is the negative one. Look for the negative terminal first which generally comes with the marking of a minus sign and disconnect it. Now you can use a wrench to loosen the clamp and slide it off the terminal. Make sure to secure the cable to the engine bay. Also make sure the wire is not in contact any metal. repeat the same process for the positive terminal. Reminder, never go for the positive terminal first.
- Now is the time to remove the battery from the car, check if there are holders or connectors and in the unit to which the battery is attached. This is generally done to secure the battery from dislocating. In order to remove the car battery, you might need a socket wrench and an extension bar, this again would depend on the car model. Now proceed to carefully remove lift the battery unit out of the cabinet and place it on a flat surface.
- Coming to the next step inspect the connectors for rust or corrosion and if you find anything carefully brush them off. For this you might need a 100-grit sandpaper or emery cloth. Also, before connecting the new battery make sure to clean the area properly.
- Now is the time to carefully place the new battery in the engine bay. Carefully secure it in the bracket, for this you will require the proper tools. Check the alignment of the negative and the positive terminals before you tighten the socket. After properly securing the car battery in its position apply some lithium grease to each of the terminals, this will act as a preventive measure from corrosion. But be careful to not apply the grease anywhere else in the car engine. Now reconnect the cables back, and this time connect the positive terminal first and then go for the negative one. And be careful that the wires are not in touch with any metal as it can be dangerous.
- Yes, now you are all done, but before you close the hood give a final check to the battery unit and the engine bay. Make sure to remove any equipment. Crank your engine once and check the system of the car. If everything is working properly you have accomplished the task of changing your car battery.
It does look like a hectic task! And it will take a few hours if this is the first time you are changing the car battery yourself. Also, it is better to ask for someone to assist you as the battery unit comes heavy. And if you think you want to save your day and keep your hands away from the grease or any burn you are well aware of the option, head out to any car battery maintenance service provider.
And if you are indeed getting it done in a service center make sure you are picking up a reliable and competent service provider. And also, another thing to keep in mind is the battery brand, a good brand will in the first place assure you a considerable amount of time before you need to change it. Also, a good battery brand comes with a warranty so any damage or change gets covered under it. So, make sure you are buying the right one, if you are buying batteries online, which most people are doing these days, you can check the battery range from ZDEGREE they are one of the trusted car battery shops in Dubai and their services cross UAE.
