How to Replace a Car Battery
By Marc Howe on Jun 18, 2010 with Comments 0
The primary source for electrical power in any automobile is its battery. Battery provides a vehicle an electric current which is needed to initiate different tasks. A well maintained battery can last for many years. But with the passage of time it efficiency begins to diminish and it should be replace at that time.
How a Car Battery Works?
Almost all the automobiles’ batteries work under a same principle. They provide electricity to electrical system. A chemical reaction takes place inside the battery between lead plates and sulfuric acid and as a result electricity is produced due to the exchange in electrons. This electric current is transmitted to the terminals from where it is directed to the electrical system.
Items Required
- New car battery
- Wrench
- Screwdriver
- Wire brush
- Lithium grease
- Gloves and goggles
- Baking soda paste (for cleaning the corrosion)
Instructions
- Detach all the connections from the battery terminals carefully. Use gloves to protect your hands and skin from any contact with acidic solution.
- It is not always necessary to change the battery. Sometimes corrosive substance around the terminals blocks the smooth passage of electric current. This can be cleaned with the help of wire brush and baking soda paste. So, it is better to check the charge first before detaching the connections.
- Take out all the bolts and screws from the battery and its compartment.
- Remember battery is extremely heavy. So remove it from the compartment carefully.
- Take baking soda paste and wire brush and wash out all the corrosive substance from the battery compartment. Make sure no corrosive material left behind.
- Take new battery and place it in the compartment carefully. Carefully tighten all the bolts and screws.
- Reconnect the positive and negative terminal of the battery with positive and negative terminal cables respectively. Take lithium grease and spray it on the terminals to protect them from corrosion.
- Once you are done with replacing the battery. Make sure that all the connections are tight. Any loose or wrong connection can be dangerous.
- In the end check the working of the battery by running the electrical system.
It is important to check the battery regularly to ensure its longer life.
Filed Under: Guides/DIY