How to Safely Disconnect a Car Battery (Step by Step)
Modern vehicles have many electrical devices. The generator powers these devices while the vehicle is running. However, the battery powers the starter motor, which gets the vehicle moving in the first place.
The battery also manages the electrical devices after you shut off the engine. For example, the clock on your dashboard is always on because it receives battery power. Also, if you want to turn on your headlights, radio, interior lights, etc., the battery allows you to do so without starting the engine. Therefore, the battery is a vital part of any vehicle.
Car batteries don’t last forever, so when you want to replace the battery, you need to remove it from the car. The average lifespan of a car battery is between 2 and 5 years. It depends on a number of factors, including how often you drive your car and the climate of your geographical location. If you actually want to try removing a battery, it’s not that hard. In fact, you don’t even need to be an automotive expert to remove a battery. If you know enough to change a tire on your car, you also have the cognitive skills to change a car battery.
How to remove a car battery
Car batteries are much more powerful than any regular battery you’ve ever used. Car batteries contain a wealth of acid and electrical energy. So, you need to handle it carefully and conscientiously. But before you can remove the battery from your vehicle, you must first gather the proper equipment.
Park your car outside. Car batteries give off gases, so you don’t want to store them in a place like a garage. To remove the battery:
1) Open the hood
Open the hood of your car and secure it with a bar to keep it open. Find your car battery and its connections. If you’ve ever jump-started a car or charged a battery, you’ll recognize it right away.
For this step, focus on the negative terminal. It usually has a black cover with a minus sign on it to indicate it’s the negative terminal.
2) Disconnect the negative cable
The connector should have a thick head on top with a nut underneath. Take one of the wrenches and place it on the head of the screw. Use the other wrench to loosen the nut until you can remove it. The negative cable is no longer included, so you will need to remove it and place it on the engine side. Secure it with a cable tie for now.
3) Remove the positive cable
Next, you will need to remove the positive terminal in a similar manner. Place one wrench on the head of the bolt and use the other to loosen the nut. Then remove the positive cable and secure it to the side with another cable tie.
Make sure the cables are not too far apart, otherwise the residual current in the positive cable can damage the vehicle’s electrical components. For the same reason, care should be taken to ensure that the positive cable does not touch any metal.
4) Remove Holding Bracket
In almost all vehicles, the battery is housed in a retaining clip to prevent it from slipping off. If this is the case with your vehicle, you will need to remove this clip first.
A wrench will make it easier to loosen and remove the bracket connection. In some cases, you may need a ratchet with the right size socket, or an extension rod. Once the clip is removed, the battery will come out.
5) Lift out the battery (the old battery).
If you aren’t already wearing gloves and safety glasses, put them on. Firmly grasp both sides of the battery and lift it out of the holder to remove it. Car batteries are heavy, so be in good shape and prepared to use a lot of force. Batteries in larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs can easily weigh 50 pounds or more.