Changing the Battery in a 2017 Ford Escape Detailed Look 

My daughter just left Autozone heading my way with a new battery. I was like "how difficult can swapping the battery be" when she told me they cannot change it for her. Thank you for this video! I appreciate you took the time to record this step-by-step for the rest of us.

You the first man I ever seen working on a car and didn't say the first cuss word!

For the wiper alignment, use a WHITE permanent maker and mark the position of each blade after you remove the bolt. Draw a line right across the blade housing and the post at the same time. You can't miss when putting them back on.

Excellent. Thank you. I surely saved a few bucks there. Just one note though....., make it a habit to ALWAYS take off the negative pole first and to install it last . The reason for this is to prevent spark, since its not grounded

Uncle called and asked me to bring my tools.9ver to help him change his battery and pointed me to your video to understand why. Great video much appreciated. You saved me time. I appreciate you telling me exactly what size sockets to take since he lives 30m away

This took me and my wife 30 min to complete. Thank you you made it easy

3 years later and still a amazing video, thanks!

I just wanted to thank you for this video. My wife's 2018 Ford Escape's battery went out and I ended up having to replace it in 8 F degree weather. Your video was very clear leaving me to know exactly what I needed to do while changing it outside as quickly as possible (with a few warm up breaks in between). Even knowing what size sockets and wrenches to use was helpful. Thank you again!!

Oh my gosh Chris, I can't believe where that battery was hid. You certainly did your good deed for the day. You did an absolutely excellent job. My son loves RU-vid to find out how to fix things.

Thank you for this. I just replaced my daughters battery in her 2017 escape. You made it an easy job. Would have never guessed batteries cost so much now.

Thanks so much for taking the time to make this video. Even though it was a few years ago, it is still one of the best videos on changing out a battery in one of these cars. Following your video, it takes less than an hour, and only a few tools. The biggest thing is not dropping anything, and realigning the wipers. I found that lifting the wiper arm off the windshield allowed the wiper to come off the post easier. I had to do it several times to finally get the wipers adjusted after the battery swap. Thanks again!!!

Just finished changing my wiper blades. Thought I would never figure them out. Had to finish this morning because darkness came yesterday. Came in to find Chris just figuring everything out. Sure wish I could think like a guy. And have guy-strength. Great job Mr. Nichols!

I hope this young lady appreciates all you and Tammy do for her and especially the hard work 🔧🔧of putting this battery in her car 🚗 .You are a good man with a good and generous heart...❤

Oh my gosh! I've never seen a battery in such an awkward location but you're a good and patient man to do what you did. It's no wonder auto places won't change it for you! I can't even count the times that we've resorted to RU-vid videos to come to our rescue. 😊

The 4 degree Temps ended my battery lastnight. Watched your vid an hour ago and already have the replacement complete.. Many thanks for extremely helpful video!! Great work!!

Just wanted to say THANK YOU. I thought it would take me 3 or 4 hours, but i watched your video a few times, took notes and was able to replace the battery within one (1) hour - thanks to you. MUCH Appreciated.

Awesome tutorial, best one out there! Followed step-by-step and had no problem. Wipers' alignment is a pain in the butt, but as for the battery, PERFECT. Thank you, sir.

You are a saving grace for me. My wife has exactly the same model, Escape 2017. It's suddenly got cranky and won't start. I figure it's been 7 years since we got it and we haven't replaced the attery yet. I suppose that battery needs replacement already. Thing is, I can't figure out how to take the battery off. So, thank you youtube for Nichols. Your post is worth a Subscribe and a like for me, cheers!

I have installed 100s of batteries and I found this one to be the most challenging. Thank you for the video!

I needed the battery on my 2017 escape replaced. Even still under extended warranty, ford dealer wanted almost 300.00 to do the battery fitting on top of the battery cost. Went to Walmart Auto service and they did it for free with the purchase of the battery. As soon as I pulled in and said I needed a battery, the mechanic stated that "these are the worst ones to replace" but he'd seen it so many times, he knew exactly how to do it. In and out in 30 minutes for the cost of a battery. They did a great job.

Thanks for posting the video. Couple of things---probably quicker to change from the front even with the removal of the air filter and its cabinet. However, it was interesting to see you remove the windshield cowl. I would set aside a day for the job if going top down and do a quick engine clean at the same time. When removing the windshield wiper blades, you could use a wiper puller if they're don't come off easily. Also, you should use an extension on your ratchet, or a flex ratchet, it'd make it easier. Stick one of those neodymium magnets on the shaft of your driver and you won't have the screw falling in the engine when you remove it. Use one of those 4" magnetic dishes to collect your screws so they don't disappear. Nice video though.

I am so grateful that I found this video, your calmness and being yourself put me at ease and gave me confidence to this, following your steps worked perfectly, out with the old and in with the new. I searched for wiper alignment and discovered there are marks on the windshield. One bit of advice, before you re-install the wiper blades turn the key to on and let the wiper blade motor run for a minute and then turn the wipers off then the key, This aligns the motor with the marks on the window.

Thanks for your tutorial. My battery went bad today, so I took it to Pep Boys and it was going to cost $140.00 in labor to replace the battery. The Ford Dealership wanted $100.00. This will save me some money and is worth my time to replace it myself.

This video just saved me from throwing tools and probably breaking the car! Thanks a million for this!

This was an added challenge you needed someone helping you to film. Just remember learning something new as we get older keeps our brain younger.

Thanks for making the video, it made changing the battery in our '17 Escape easy with no guessing on what to use and what to do next.

I had a 2003.ford escape it wasn't hard put battery in the newer ones must be. horrible I feel for you but you'll get it God bless you for doing it for her

WOO! Thank you for posting this. I was able to swap out my battery, only needing help to actually lift the dang thing. A lifesaver!

Your video was on point with what I needed to do. I fallowed every step you did and successfully got my battery changed! The only thing was that mine cost $275 !

Great job. Only problem is making sure the windshield wipers are down when you start and put them in the same way. Spent an hour and a half adjusting and them readjusting them. Finally got it.

Thank you so much for this video. My husband and I were able to get our battery charged with little headache.

Jeepers, that battery! Could they have made it any harder?! You're a good guy.

Great video. Really helped me out working on a Escape for removal of the Crankcask vent tube which is on the back of the engine.

Oh Lawd! I have a 2018 Ford Escape and this video made me go out in the dark to check how the battery is sitting in it. I could not figure out how to open the hood! My husband has done gone to bed so, there is no way I will ask him to open the hood tonight.

I replaced the battery on my ford escape this week the same way. It was a pain in the butt, but not super complex. I'm just glad I didn't have to take it to a mechanic shop and get charged a ton.

Thank you so much for the detailed video ! Made the battery change totally easy following your video.. now I can go fishing!

All that just to change a battery! Give me a 1974 car any day! Something you can work on, You Rock Chris!

Thank you for the video. Last time the battery was replaced it was done at a Ford dealership. It's funny about the brake fluid reservoir screws. On my car one was missing and the other was barely screwed in. When I got to the battery, there was a cable with couple of wires that connected to a plug on the negative terminal That was not plugged in. If you want it done right...

Update to Battery replacement. Nichols Retirement Empire has saved the world...or at lest the local Walmart Auto Center...lol I made it a point to hang around, as a mechanic began to service my car. He was very affable and we made small-talk as he went about replacing the battery, using "conventional" methods. He was clearly frustrated during the process and I mentioned the video I had seen. After 15 min of knuckle-busting, even with special offset tools, he followed my (your) suggestion. I coached him and assisted when I could with the cowlings and in less than 10 min, had the battery exposed for service. WOOT ! I had him check the Alternator functions as well...now that I had a new battery that wouldn't throw off any meter readings. It was OK...TYVM. Put it all back together in

I used to work for a glass company safe@@@@, way more easy ways with the cowl and wiper arms, awesome job and I learned something new!

Well that’s just plain ridiculous the way they designed this. Battery should be right in front

I've gone through similar with our 2015. My Mother in Law has a 2017, with a battery dying, so I searched to see if it got any easier... damn. I am bummed to find they just made more bolts to remove on the newer models. :( I used painters tape to mark my wipers when I did ours originally But all you gotta do is tighten down the wipers, and then position both to the outside of the window edge. Start the car and the wipers will self align. I learned this later from a windshield replacement outfit.

Thanks for the help! It was pretty easy once I got going. Took me about 30 minutes with your help. 👏

I'm glad I watched this. This is what I get to do tonight after work

Chris you definitely did your good deed for the day. You are such a kind and patient man. I hope you and Tammy have a wonderful weekend.

Thanks for sharing! It helped me change the battery in my wife’s car.

The dealership wanted to charge me over $350 to change the $215 battery!!!! Thanks you tube!!!!

Thanks for your video. Very helpful. I don't think I'll ever purchase another Ford vehicle.

Thank you for the video. I was able to deconstruct my dashboard correctly thanks to your insight. Although, I wish ford would just make simple car repairs easy!

Awesome video, and you my friend, are a good man for doing this “solid”! This actually seems easier than the manufacturer’s recommended method - removing the air box, etc.

Your video was the best one I found to change the battery! Thank you sir

Just did this on my wife's 2017 Wipers were the hardest part of the whole process. Weren't easy to pop off. But once they came off it was a breeze even in 30 degree cold with 20mpg winds lol

Thx ford for making it hard to replace the battery or disconnect it if I need to. I used to own a 09 escape that was super easy to change battery but my 17 is much more time consuming

Thanks so much. this was very helpful. Was able to get the battery replaced in less than an hour thanks to you!!

I now know not to buy a Ford Escape 😂

Thank you so much for posting this! I will never own a Ford again. This is the worst engineering I have ever encountered on a vehicle. Changing the rear brakes requires a step tool to turn the cylinder. Why? Why make a simple job ten times harder than it needs to be? Especially when the front cylinders are standard brake cylinders that have been put on vehicles for 50 years. Everyone should be able to change their battery, brakes, oil, and air filters without having to completely dismantle a vehicle! As my father liked to call the engineers that design this stuff “educated idiots”!

Wow. What a place for a battery. It should be like it used to be. Accessible. Lol. Great job, Chris! RU-vid comes in handy for things. Very good deed!

Oh my goodness…this is a huge undertaking!!!!!! Crazy to just replace. Battery??!!

Why on earth would they put the battery there to keep people from doing their own work?

This video saved me $200! Thank you!!!

THANK YOU!!! I have a Ford Escape and am going to try to change my battery today😭

Nice Video!. If you Simply Take off the Top of the Air Filter box, The Battery Will Slide Right Out! Always willing to Pass things I've Learned As well.

Thank you for demonstrating this. That looks like a pain.

Wow. I have a 2019 who knew. Good to know. Thank you for sharing.

Super job, and guy ou only had to throw one away: the dead battery! You two are so good to Keisha. Blessings to you. (Do you make trips to Indiana to help widows?)

I just did this in -35c weather. It was fucking awful. Thank god for your video. Made it real easy to have all the tools needed prior to going in the cold.

Boy that is a big job 🤩 you have so much patience Chris 🙂

This is the first video, of yours, that I've watched. Just a thought... Perhaps, in the future, have multiple camera angles, so folks can better see what's going on. GoPro cameras are relatively cheap. You could have a couple mounted on tripods, one mounted on a headband, and maybe even a chest mounted rig. Multiple angles/ multiple shots, to see better what you're doing. There were more than a few times when your hands and arms were in the way, and we couldn't actually see what you were doing. Again, just a thought. Thank you for your vids!

Great tutorial sir. i appreciate you making this video.

Thanks for the video i have to do this tonight last minute. I subscribed!

Thank you, followed your direction but I can't get my wipers back in time.

Déjà Vu! I just helped Natalie pull the battery pack out of her Prius. Had to take most of the car apart to get it out, and it weighs 80 lbs. once you have it loose! They really don't want you working on these newer cars! 😑

You were fantastic! Wish me luck tomorrow as I try to save myself some cash.

GREAT video of yours ! I ....was....going to follow your directions until I found out that Walmart installs Auto Batteries for FREE...if you buy one from them. WOOT !!!! My $ 97 (+ tax) Everstart 96r is going in tomorrow ! I forgot to mention that when you put the bolt cover back on, you will not see the marks you made. Keep up the good work ! (see my original post below)

Great video, thank you for taking the time and saving me some time.

Thank you so much I have to do it today and you made it look so simple

Excellent video. Thanks.

Great job. I had to laugh because an advertisement for Ford popped up, I'm thinking.. I don't think so! 😄

Thanks dude for the video very helpful easy money much easier to just do things yourself.

Thank you!!!! Saved me a bunch of guess work

Your an awesome dad

Great video,you did a great job sir...honestly you save my day with these tips 😀

Omg. Can’t believe the battery location!!! That would have been my good deed for the week !! Lol. After that you deserve a bass pro stop😁

Get your kids AAA the best thing we ever did. Especially when they're in college. It's only $50 a year they will change your tire. Jump your battery. Bring you a new battery and install it. Gas and Towing you might want to look into it.

Wipers are tricky. Move them in circular or left/right motion while pulling off. It's not easy

You can remove the air box lid and sneak it out that way as well

Hey Chris, That was A Very Good Deed ☆☆☆☆☆ Kaysha is So Very Fortunate to have you and Tammy♡♡♡ I THANK GOD you and Tammy are Wonderful Christian people ♡♡♡ GOD BLESS Y'ALL ♡♡♡ We Love y'all so very much ♡♡♡ Have A Beautiful Blessed Peaceful night ♡♡♡

Thank you so much for this video!

Always take negative terminal off first. And I’d clean them before reinstalling them. Also test (start car) before reinstalling the cover.

Great video!

You're a good man Chris!

Thank you. I think I was successful because I watched your video. Otherwise I was just guessing.

Was a pain but I got it! Ty sir!

I just did this job, but the wiper arms didn't just pop out! Says on the arms to use puller, I used a homemade tool, flat screwdriver bent about 90 degrees with a long handle, got underneath and gently pried up to get them out. The rest of it was actually less trouble than I thought it was going to be, but I also still had to take the air filter out and pull the side of the battery box loose to get the old battery out. Thanks for the help! Btw, Savannah GA or TN?

You are a goooood Dad.

Thank you for this video. I am not looking forward to changing the battery lol what a stupid location for it

Thanks. I just finish replacing mine

I own one. These are a pain in the ass from day one. Not kidding.

Thanks you so much 💗 💓, Muchas Gracia for video learning

You didn't tell people that they must reset their BMS or the new battery may very well overcharge due to the BMS settings being calibrated to the old poor battery!