Removing battery which terminal first

Cars Picanto Optima. Commercial Vehicle K K Find a dealer. Which car battery terminal to connect first? Installing the new battery Before placing the new battery in position, ensure that both terminals and the cables are rust-free. When should I replace my car battery? If you just need to put in a new car battery, it can be done in a few simple steps. After the battery is disconnected, unscrew the brackets that hold it in its tray. Lift the battery straight up, out of its tray. Keep in mind that car batteries can weigh 40 lbs.

Using an old toothbrush, brush the tray and battery cables with a diluted baking-soda mixture and allow them to dry before putting in your new car battery. Place the new battery on the tray and tighten the clamps. Connect the cable for the positive terminal first, then the negative.

Remember to securely tighten the nuts on each. Close the hood and start the car. Dispose of the old battery properly. The auto-parts store you bought your new battery from probably will take the old one as part of its service arrangement. If not, take it to a recycling center or automotive garage.

Hovig Manouchekian. Make sure the battery is the correct size. If it doesn't meet the specifications of the vehicle and the dimensions of where the battery sits, the battery may end up being too small and moving around in the cavity while the car drives. You should also make sure that you do not connect the battery cables backwards. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Remove all jewelry, particularly rings and necklaces. Helpful 8 Not Helpful 4. Helpful 6 Not Helpful 6. Batteries in hybrid vehicles produce more than volts, which is a potentially lethal level.

If you need to work on any electrical component in a hybrid vehicle, disable the high-voltage battery in the back of the car first. The wiring is usually color-coded in orange. Use insulated tools and gloves when performing the task to reduce the risk of shock. Be sure to follow the exact procedure from the manufacturer on disconnecting a hybrid battery as there may be additional steps involved.

Helpful 2 Not Helpful 4. Standard car batteries can generate several hundred amps of current, which is roughly the amount of current used by a welding arc. Do not try to test your battery's charge by touching the positive and negative terminals with a metal tool. The current is so high it could damage the tool and potentially harm you, as well. Zip tie the cables away from the battery to prevent cables from returning to the battery terminal and causing sparks or electrocution.

Helpful 1 Not Helpful 3. Helpful 1 Not Helpful 4. Related wikiHows How to. How to. About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: Updated: May 6, Categories: Car Batteries and Ignitions.

Article Summary X To disconnect a car battery, start by turning off the engine and opening the hood so you can access the battery. Make sure the car's ignition is off. It's a good idea to wear eye protection when working around batteries. First, unbolt the negative battery cable and disconnect it by lifting it free. It might take some wiggling and twisting to pull it off. Be sure never to let the wrench touch both the negative and positive terminals at the same time.

Even though the battery is technically dead, there might be enough residual electricity in it to short it out and create a spark, and you don't want any sparks around the battery or the engine compartment.

There's also a remote possibility that shorting out the battery this way will damage your vehicle's electrical system or engine-control computer. After you've removed the negative cable, push it far out of the way. Now remove the positive cable. Many batteries are secured by a clamp that locks the battery to the tray that it sits on.

Before you can lift it out of the vehicle, you'll have to remove this clamp. This will likely require a socket wrench, possibly with an extension on it, as the bolts that hold the battery can be down low in the battery tray. Congrats, you've freed your battery! A Final Note: If you're removing the battery cables to store your ride for an extended time, know that a fully charged battery will hold its charge for six months to a year if you disconnect the negative cable.

If you're disconnecting the negative cable and leaving the battery in place, be sure to push the cable out of the way. If there's any chance that it might spring back into place and touch either battery terminal, use zip ties to hold it in place.

Better still, buy yourself a battery-disconnect switch it attaches to the negative terminal , which will serve the same purpose as removing the cables and will be there whenever you need it.

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