How to Disconnect and Install a Car Battery

Nothing lasts forever. That includes your car battery. The good news is that you can just schedule an appointment at our service center in Cookeville if your battery dies. But, if you’d rather try it yourself, we’ve put together the guide below on how to disconnect and install a car battery.
How to Disconnect and Install a Car Battery – Step by Step
Replacing a battery is simple. A lot of our Nashville have done it themselves with no problem. Just follow these steps:
How to Disconnect and Install a Car Battery
- Turn off the engine. Put the car in park. Engage the parking brake.
- Locate the battery under the hood of your car. It is usually along either the right or left side, towards the front.
- Disconnect the negative (black) cable first. Note: Be careful never to touch your wrench to both the positive and negative terminals at the same time, so as to avoid electric shock.
- Disconnect the positive (red) cable.
- Unscrew the clip or bracket holding the battery into place.
- Lift out the old battery
- Use a wire brush to clean any corrosion from the connectors at the end of the positive and negative cables.
- Put the new battery in place. If there is a bracket to hold the battery in place, reattach it.
- Connect the positive (red) cable first. You could easily short out the system if you were to touch your wrench to both the positive cable and the car frame, while the negative cable is connected. This is why it’s important to only work on the positive terminal while the negative is disconnected.
- Connect the negative (black) cable.
- Start the engine to see if it runs.
- Take your old battery to the nearest auto parts store to recycle it.
Trust Your Car to the Service Experts at Cookeville Honda
We’re here to help at Cookeville Honda. Our service center technicians know all about car batteries and everything else under the hood of your car. And they’re ready and able to assist you with any service or maintenance needs you have. In fact, while you’re here, why don’t you check out ourservice specials? We’re just down the road from Carthage, so drop by orcontact us today!
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