The car battery may be one of the most important components of the car as any problem with the battery might leave you stranded on the road. Show
The car battery has two main functions; it helps to start the car when you switch on the ignition and the other function is providing power to electrical systems in the car such as the stereo, lights, radio etc. Since you cannot start your car with a faulty battery, it is highly important to keep it maintained properly. The car battery terminals get corroded over time due to the hydrogen gas that is released from the acid in the battery. In such a case, you’ll be required to remove the battery and clean it thoroughly. There are many other reasons why you would be required to disconnect the car battery, either for maintenance or service. Either way, it is recommended that you know the correct procedure. In this guide, we will discuss how you can correctly disconnect the car battery in a safe way. Safety tips before disconnecting the batteryHere are some important safety tips you need to keep in mind before disconnecting the car battery.
There are some easy steps you should take to disconnect your car battery from your car. Here are 7 steps to disconnect your car battery in a safe way: Total Time: 5 minutes 1. Switch off the ignition & use safety equipmentBefore you begin to disconnect the battery, ensure that the ignition is turned off and remove 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. Since the car battery holds an electric charge and is capable of releasing flammable gas as well, it is strongly recommended to put on some safety gloves and goggles. 2. Open the hoodOnce the ignition has been turned off, open the hood by pulling the hood lever or pressing the button which is usually located somewhere below and near the steering wheel. Refer to your car owner’s manual if you can’t find the hood lever. 3. Locate the batteryIf your car battery is located under the hood, go towards the front of your car and open the hood. Use the rod to
keep the hood standing in its place and then look for the battery’s negative terminal. The terminal may have a black cover on top of it and will have a negative (-) sign indicating that it is the negative terminal. 4. Disconnect the negative terminal of the batteryYou should always remove the negative battery terminal first, to reduce the risk of sparks which can
make the car battery explode. 5. Disconnect the positive terminal of the batteryAfter you have removed the negative terminal, follow the same steps for the positive terminal. 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 and remove battery bracket or strapUsually, car batteries are held at its place by a metal bracket or something similar. To remove the battery you do often have to remove this bracket or strap. If your car is equipped with a bracket you will often find it holding the battery at the bottom of the car battery. 7. Remove & Install the new battery in the same way as you removed it.Once the battery has been disconnected completely, gently lift it up from the tray and carry it with utmost care. You have now completely disconnected and removed the car battery. Batteries are usually heavy,
especially if you drive a truck or an SUV which has a battery weighing almost 40 pounds. Cleaning the battery terminalsIf you have disconnected your car battery after a long time, you might have noticed that the terminals have corrosion on them. 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. The things you would require are: • Gloves Making the cleaner is simple; just mix one tablespoon of baking soda in one cup of water and mix it well. Next, dip the toothbrush into the cleaner and start cleaning the terminals. You might need to apply some force as the dust and grime may be difficult to remove. Scrub the terminals thoroughly until no dust or grime is visible. Once the corrosion is removed, spray water on the terminals and wipe gently with a clean cloth or rag. Once the terminals have been cleaned and dried, apply petroleum jelly on them which will provide some lubrication and prevent any further corrosion. Note: Before you begin cleaning the terminals, inspect the car battery to see if it is leaking, swollen or has any visible damage. If the battery is damaged then cleaning the terminals will be no good and you would still have to purchase a new battery. If it’s leaking you can find some recommended batteries for your car in this article: Best Car Batteries ConclusionThe car battery is an essential component that helps to start the engine and power all the electrical modules in the car. 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. Was this article helpful? YesNo Which battery terminal should be disconnected first and why?Removal of Old Battery
Remove the negative (-) terminal first. This precaution is necessary to avoid damage to wiring and the battery by accidentally grounding tools. Remove the positive (+) terminal.
What's the proper way to disconnect a car battery?Disconnecting A Car Battery. Start By Turning The Ignition Off. ... . Find Your Car Battery's Negative Terminal. ... . Loosen The Nut On The Negative Terminal With A Wrench. ... . Remove The Negative Connector, Then Repeat With The Positive Terminal. ... . Remove The Battery If Necessary.. |