No matter the level of care with which you treat your car, the battery will wear after a period of time and needs to be replaced. Changing a car battery is a part of regular maintenance and a skill that you need to know to avoid being stranded.
Here’s how you can replace your car battery.
To begin with, make sure that all electrical equipment is turned off. This includes the ignition system, the lights, radio and air-conditioning. You need to remove the keys from the ignition and in case your vehicle has keyless entry with a Frequency Operated Button, you must keep the FOB at a safe distance of at least 2 metres.
For vehicles with a computerised electrical system, the memory from the different systems may be erased when the battery is disconnected. In this case, you can make use of a battery backup.
Apart from keeping the above rules in mind, always go through the battery health and safety procedures and the vehicle manual before you start installing a battery. This ensures a safe and smooth installation.
Removing an old battery from your vehicle:
Identify the positive and negative terminal.
Always make sure to remove the negative terminal first. This helps in preventing damage to the wiring.
After this is done, remove the positive terminal.
Remove the clamp or the retaining system that keeps the battery in place. Carefully remove the battery from the vehicle.
Installing a new battery:
Start by checking the height of the battery to make sure that there is ample bonnet clearance.
Examine the tray to check for any signs of corrosion. If you notice corrosion, make use of water and baking soda to clean the area. Check and remove any foreign object in the tray that can damage the battery.
Steel components that have corroded need to be dried and an acid proof paint applied.
The terminals must also be cleaned properly.
Examine the cable and the starter motor connection. If required, tighten them.
If you notice that the terminal cables or clamps are corroded, replace them.
Put the new battery in the tray. You need to make sure that the battery is at level and the terminal posts are positioned in a similar way.
Secure the batter with the clamp or the retaining system.
Apply a thin layer of grease to the terminals and posts.
Replace the cables, the positive one first followed by the negative.
Tighten all the connections. However, make sure not to over-tighten them.
Ensure that you never hammer the cable connections to the battery posts. This can cause damage to the battery post and cover.
You are done with installing a car battery! You can now drive with the confidence that you will not be stranded.
In case your vehicle requires a new battery and you are looking for high-quality automotive batteries at competitive prices, visit growenergy.com.au.
Grow Energy is your one-stop shop for a complete range of automotive batteries. With the best quality AGM batteries, you can trust us for all your battery needs. Our service also includes home delivery and installation. In case you are stuck, we will arrange a suitable time to bring you the battery and install it. If you have any queries, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We will be happy to help you.