DIY: How to change your car’s battery

By NYC 1 week ago

Every car needs one

Thinking about a little DIY battery swap operation on your own? Don’t know how? Absolutely bored out of your mind and have a spare battery lying around? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, you’ve come to the right place.

Our cars have 2 main sources for electricity, first is the battery, which supplies power as soon as its connected; and secondly an alternator which charges the battery while providing a constant slightly higher supply of electricity when the engine is running. Most batteries last a little more than a year, and when the time comes a replacement is unavoidable.

“What’s My Battery” by Century

Some battery manufacturers have online applications to help users identify the correct battery model according to the car. Of course a much simpler way is to bring the battery to the shop for a new unit of the exact same specification.

On top of that some shops will accept the depleted unit as trade-in, sparing you a few Ringgit while relieving you the effort of disposing it properly due to its hazardous contents. Here are some instructions on how to remove and reinstall a car battery for most cars.

Tools

• Anti-rust, eg. WD40, RP7 or homemade baking soda and water solution to clean the terminals
• Spanners, adjustable wrench or adjustable pliers for the connecting bolt and nut removal
• Rags or some old newspapers for cleaning

Removal

1. With engine turned off, loosen the bolt and nut on the negative terminal. You might need a spanner or plier to hold the other end at the beginning of the process
2. Lift the clamp off the terminal
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the positive terminal
4. Loosen the nuts of the holding-plate or bar that fastens the battery onto its base
5. If the battery has built in handles, use it to lift and remove the depleted battery. If otherwise, get a firm grip, preferably at its bottom with both hands before lifting it as the battery weighs a few kilograms.
6. Once the battery has been removed, clean both positive and negative clamps with anti-rust from oxidants, oil and rust.

Battery terminal clamp

New battery installation

1. With the location of both positive and negative terminal aligned, place the new battery firmly into its seating position.
2. Reinstall the holding-plate and make sure the battery is firmly held in place.
3. Slide in and tighten the positive clamp firmly over the positive terminal, before repeating it onto the negative terminal
4. Spray some anti-rust onto the terminals as a protective layer against oxidation. Some people might suggest coating them with a layer of white lithium grease for the same purpose.
5. Lastly place the terminal cover over the positive clamp and terminal if available.

Picture from Century Battery Malaysia