Here are 7 Steps To Remove A Car Battery

Your car's battery is one of its most crucial components. If it fails, you could be stranded.

Two main functions of a car battery are: it starts the car by turning on the ignition, and also provides power for electrical components such as lights, stereos, etc.

You can't start your car if the battery is dead, so it is important that you keep it in good condition.

Over time, the hydrogen gas from acid in the car batteries can cause corrosion of the terminals. In such a case, you’ll be required to remove the battery and clean it thoroughly.

You may need to remove the battery from your car for service or maintenance reasons. It doesn't matter what reason you have, the best thing to do is know how to proceed. We will be discussing how to correctly remove the battery from your vehicle.

Tips for safety before you remove the battery

Before you disconnect the battery from your car, here are some safety tips.

• Battery storage can cause a slight shock and may give rise to electric charges if they are not treated properly. Be sure to remove any jewelry, such as rings, watches, bracelets, from the battery before you disconnect it. It can lead to an electric shock if the battery is in direct contact with any metallic part.
• The battery removal should always be done outdoors as acids can release dangerous gasses. Your exposure to hazardous gases will be minimized if the environment is open.
• You must ensure that the work area is dry. Avoid working in damp areas or with water near your work area.
• You may need to reset the settings on the radio or clock by removing the terminals. To unlock your radio code, you will need the radio code. Although you could add some power to your system and replace the battery, this is not recommended. It can cause serious damage and can also pose a danger.

How do I disconnect my car's battery?

These are the steps to safely disconnect your car's car battery. Below are 7 easy steps to safely remove your car battery.

Total time: 5 minutes

1. Switch off the ignition & use safety equipment

Make sure the ignition switch is off before disconnecting the battery. Then, take out the key. Also leave the driver’s door open, because it can happen that the car will lock while replacing the battery. If you have an automatic, check if the car is in ‘Park’ position or it should be in the first gear in the case that the car has a manual transmission. Safety gloves and goggles are strongly recommended as your car's battery can also release flammable gas.

2. The hood can be opened

After the ignition is turned off, pull the lever on the hood or press the button. This button can be found below the steering wheel. Refer to your car owner’s manual if you can’t find the hood lever.
Some vehicles have their battery inside the trunk. Open your trunk if this is the case. You can find information about this in your owner’s manual.

3. Locate the battery

Open the hood if your car's battery is under your car. Use the rod to keep the hood standing in its place and then look for the battery’s negative terminal. It may be covered in a black material and have a "-" sign to indicate that the terminal is negative.
Locate your car battery with the help of the owner’s manual. Sometimes it’s located in the trunk or under a seat.

4. Remove the negative terminal from the battery

It is important that you always take out the negative battery terminal before the positive one. This will reduce the chance of sparks that could cause the battery to explode.
The wrench can be used to remove the nut holding the terminal. You can loosen the terminal by using your hand, but be sure to use safety gloves.
Although it might seem difficult to locate the proper size socket wrench for you, once you find it, slowly turn the screw counterclockwise until it loosens. You should keep the nut secure.

5. The positive terminal should be disconnected from the battery

Follow the same procedure for the positive terminal once you have removed it. Do not let the positive terminal come into contact with any metal part on the car as there is some charge left in the system and in case of contact, the car’s electrical circuit can get disturbed.

6. Locate the battery strap or bracket and take it out

Most car batteries are secured in their place using a bracket or some other metal device. You will need to remove the bracket or strap in order to get rid of your battery. You will find the bracket holding your battery in place if you have a car with one.

7. Remove & Install the new battery in the same way as you removed it.

After the battery is completely disconnected, lift the battery from its tray gently and transport it carefully. Now you have successfully disconnected the battery from your car. The weight of a car battery is usually quite heavy, particularly if it's a truck or SUV that weighs in at almost 40 pounds.
The same guide can be used to replace the old battery. But, this time you will need it reversed. Install the battery, and then attach the bracket/strap. Install the positive and negative terminals first. After replacing your battery, you will often need to reset the radio and clock settings.

Clean the terminals of your battery.

You might notice corrosion on the terminals of your car's battery if you disconnect it after long periods. The good news is that you don’t need any expensive cleaner to clean the corrosion as you can easily do it with stuff at your home. These are the things that you will need:

• Gloves
• Petroleum jelly
• Baking soda
• Water
• Toothbrush
• Cleaning cloth

It is easy to make the cleaner. Simply mix one teaspoon of baking soda and one cup of water. Mix it thoroughly. Then, use the toothbrush to clean the terminals. It may take some effort to get rid of the grime and dust.

Thoroughly scrub the terminals until any dirt, dust, or other debris is gone. After removing the corrosion, spray some water on the terminals. Then wipe them gently with a damp cloth. Apply petroleum jelly, which provides lubrication to the terminals and helps prevent further corrosion.

Note: To ensure that the battery is clean and safe, you should first inspect it for any signs of damage such as a leak, swelling or visible damage. Cleaning the terminals is not possible if the battery has been damaged. You will need to buy a replacement battery.

If it’s leaking you can find some recommended batteries for your car in this article: Best Car Batteries

Conclusion

The car's battery, which powers all electrical components and starts the engine of the vehicle, is essential. Cleaning and servicing the car battery terminals is highly recommended and now that you are aware of how to disconnect the car battery easily, you will have no difficulty in cleaning your car’s battery terminals.