The lifespan of your car’s battery typically ranges from one to four years, depending on your driving habits. Due to the weight, corrosiveness, and flammability of batteries, many drivers opt to have a professional replace their dead battery instead of attempting it themselves.
If your car battery dies while you’re on the road, roadside assistance is often necessary. Our team of roadside contractors can provide the assistance you need, either by jump-starting your vehicle battery or changing it.
However, if your battery goes flat at home or has exceeded its recommended lifespan, and you prefer to change it on your own, here are some helpful tips:
Things You Will Need To Change a Car Battery At Home
Before we begin, let’s make sure you have everything you need to successfully change your car battery. Here’s a quick checklist of the tools you’ll need:
- New car battery (make sure it’s compatible with your vehicle)
- Safety goggles and gloves
- Adjustable wrench or socket set
- Battery cleaning solution (a mixture of baking soda and water)
- Wire brush or battery cleaning tool
- Battery terminal cleaner or a mixture of water and baking soda
- Anti-corrosion spray or petroleum jelly
- Towel or rag
- Safety equipment (such as a fire extinguisher) – better safe than sorry!
Once you have all these items ready, we can proceed to the fun part: changing your car battery.
Step 1: Safety First
Before we dive into the technical stuff, let’s talk about safety. Car batteries contain corrosive substances and produce potentially harmful gases, so it’s essential to take some precautions. Make sure you’re wearing your safety goggles and gloves throughout the process.
Additionally, if you have any open flames or sparks nearby, it’s crucial to extinguish them or move to a safer location.
Step 2: Disconnect the Cables From Battery Terminal
Before we remove the old battery, we need to disconnect the cables. Start by disconnecting the negative cable first.
Using your adjustable wrench or socket set, loosen the nut on the negative terminal and gently lift the cable away from the battery. Remember to keep the cable away from any metal surfaces to prevent accidental contact.
Next, repeat the same process for the positive cable. Loosen the nut on the positive terminal and carefully remove the cable. Now that both cables are disconnected, tuck them away to avoid accidental contact with the terminals.
Step 3: Remove the Old Battery
With the cables safely disconnected, we can now remove the old battery. Most batteries are held in place by a bracket or a clamp.
Use your wrench or socket set to loosen and remove any screws or nuts securing the battery. Once the battery is free, carefully lift it out of the battery tray and place it aside.
Remember, batteries can be heavy, so use proper lifting techniques or ask for assistance if needed.
Step 4: Clean the Battery Terminals
Before installing the new battery, it’s crucial to clean the battery terminals to ensure a proper connection. Start by mixing a solution of baking soda and water – about a tablespoon of baking soda per cup of water should do the trick. Dip your wire brush or battery cleaning tool into the solution and scrub the terminals vigorously.
This will help remove any corrosion or residue that may have accumulated over time. Once clean, rinse the terminals with plain water and dry them thoroughly with a towel or rag.
Step 5: Install the New Battery
Now comes the exciting part – installing the new battery! Carefully place the new battery into the battery tray, ensuring it sits securely. Make sure the positive and negative terminals on the battery align with their respective cables.
Start by connecting the positive cable first. Slide the cable over the positive terminal and tighten the nut securely. Repeat the same process for the negative cable and terminal.
Step 6: Prevent Corrosion
To prevent future corrosion and ensure a long-lasting battery connection, it’s a good idea to apply some anti-corrosion spray or petroleum jelly to the battery terminals.
This will create a protective barrier and keep the terminals in good condition. Be sure to apply the spray or jelly sparingly and avoid any contact with the surrounding areas.
Step 7: Double-Check and Test
With the new battery in place and the cables securely connected, it’s time for a final check. Double-check that all connections are tight and secure, and there’s no loose wiring. Once you’re confident everything is in order, it’s time to test your handiwork.
Hop into the driver’s seat, turn the ignition key, and listen for that satisfying engine roar. If everything goes smoothly, congratulations – you’ve successfully changed your car battery.
Remember to properly dispose of the old battery by taking it to a recycling center or an authorized battery disposal location. Car batteries contain hazardous materials and should never be thrown in the trash.
FAQs
When Your Car Battery Needs Replacement?
If your car’s battery is more than three years old, you should check it yearly to ensure it’s still in good shape. Car Battery Replacement signs are given below:
- Always remember if this sign is shown that your car is not starting, then this means that you ran out of battery. Replace the battery if the key does nothing or clicks.
- Your headlights shine poorly. Your battery may be losing power if your headlights seem dimmer than usual.
- Your car cuts out or jerks. Your car may need a stronger battery if it often cuts out or jerks.
- In cold weather, you can’t start your car on your own. As we face the severe impact of winter on our car batteries, and if you find this again and again in a short period, then this means that your car battery is weak and you need to buy a new one so that your trips may not stop due to this.
- The light for the check engine is on.
- Check the engine light and if it is on? It means that your car battery is not providing enough power to run the electrical starting parts of your car.
Also Read: Car Warning Signs
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Regular Car Battery in Dubai?
The cost of a new battery could be different depending on what kind of car you have and how old it is. Still, a replacement battery is usually between AED 150 to AED 2000.
Should You Replace or Charge a Car Battery?
- Most of the time, it is better to recharge a lead-acid battery than to buy a new one.
- Lead-acid batteries don’t like being too low on power, so if you replace it, you’ll probably need to replace it again sooner than if you just charged it.
- If your battery is over three years old, accumulate money to buy a new one.
- Otherwise, you have to face any car halting in time of need.
- But if the battery is newer and in good shape, it is usually best to recharge it.
Final Words
Changing a car battery may seem daunting at first, but with the right tools, knowledge, and a bit of patience, it’s a task you can tackle confidently. By following these steps and taking the necessary safety precautions, you’ll be back on the road in no time.
We hope that this post was useful! If you have any more questions or issues, please do not hesitate to contact carrecoveryservicedubai.ae.
