A good way to remember is that when you are taking off the battery ,subtracting weight (-) then you disconnect the negative terminal and when you are putting it in the car ,(+) adding weight you attach the positive terminal first.
***** Agreed. I can do a decent amount on my Jeep, but damn if I can never remember which battery cable comes off first. I always feel like an idiot googling this. Very glad for this tip. Maybe I'll remember next time.
Thanks, Adam. I'm about to impress the hell out of my lady friend. She asked, "You don't know how to change about a battery?" I said, "Of course I do!" And then logged onto RU-vid. 😂
Thanks, I appreciate the kinds words! Glad to hear I could help you replace your car battery. It is easy to do, you just need to know how to do it properly and safely. I will definitely try to post more How-To videos.
Glad I watched this. I was about to go wing it but I didn't know the importance of taking off the negative cable first when removing. I always kinda assume take the positive off first always. You learn something new every day. Thanks for making this video!
Our van died in the driveway yesterday and changing the battery was a snap. I'm really glad that I watched your video or I probably would have disconnected the wrong terminal first. Thanks for the simple instructions. It's running again!
Sweet! Most people don't know about charging a battery but that is possible. I've done it a few times myself but typically trickle charge. That usually works better I find.
Many thanks for this upload. I'm on my first week of my Roadside Assistance job with CAA and I'll be on my own next week lol. Yes the tester helps determine if the battery or the starter is the problem. Still learning ahah
Thanks! This was very helpful. My owners manual listed most of the steps, but I had difficulty getting the locking bolt out (hard to reach). Found a ratchet like the one you were using, and then it came out easy.
Thanks very much. This video just helped me out. I just replaced my car battery using this as my guide and it worked first time. I didn't realize it was necessary to disconnect and reconnect the terminals in a specific order. .. Thank you very much for making this.
Hi Adam, great video! I am curious on what to do with the old batteries, though. I have been crushing them up and then throwing the waste into a nearby creek, but crushing them up takes a while. Is there a better way? Thanks!
That's terrible! You are contaminating the environment and creating unsafe water by doing that. Recycle old batteries at an auto parts store. If you bought the battery there you will get a core charge, or they accept them for free.
Adam YH Hi Adam, thanks for the info. But I assure you it's perfectly safe, my kids swim in that creek all summer. Other than a couple of strange rashes (most likely sunburn) they are perfectly healthy!
Just did mine first timer and I did it at night. Was just as easy as Adam made it look once I found the right socket. I also added some corrosion protection rings and sprayed the posts once connected with corrosion protection. Hopefully it keeps the crud off. Thanks for the video!
I always wondered what it was like back in the early days of motor vehicles. Like, the entire funding team inspecting the engine with the mechanic. The conversation must've been like MECHANIC: This is what we call the radiator. The alternator is way down there. There's your belt. This is where the battery is placed. The engine block is very-- INSPECTOR: Excuse how is the battery always in place? Won't it shift when the vehicle is going too fast or comes to a sudden stop? MECHANIC: Oh it won't because we use the... uhh... oh shit.. bi... ga... we use what's called the.... hold down???? yeah... hold down... *inspectors applaud
This is a great How-To video, but just an FYI for Adam....You might want to post another video stating/reminding the viewers to remember to secure the bracing bolt for the battery. He forgot to mention that in this video. Otherwise, great video.
Watched this video to teach me how to replace my car battery for the first time on my own. I was unaware how simple it was. Haha. Thank you. Very helpful video.
Just wanted to say thanks! I just changed battery on 04 Montana. Had to detach the fuse-box which is siting right on top of the battery and it was brutal to get out. Wanted to watch video to confirm its Negative off Positive Off.. Positive On Negative on. Works like a charm!
hey one question. when you swap old for new battery do you have to clean contact of the battery too? thing is my car wont start. I think I seen on tv that you have to clean the contacts before installing batery
I've cleaned battery posts and used dielectric grease sometimes when a car was having electrical issues. Sometimes it's just a loose electrical connection.
Dude you helped me. Thanks a bunch, it's an easy thing to do but if you don't know those small things like which terminal to take off first etc it can lead to a bad situation. Can you post more? Alternators, spark plugs? You're good at this.
I've got a '68 Mustang and it needs to have its battery replaced. I've got no prior mechanical experience. Is this something that I could do on my own without a) dying or b) ruining my car?
I am glad you found my video helpful. Hopefully you got satisfaction from changing the battery yourself and saving money. Make sure to dispose of old batteries properly.
is it ok to touch the terminals? or avoid touching them? after taking off the terminals don't let them touch metal parts of the car or it's ok? (safety cautions for handling the battery)
Thanks so much! We had to walk aways to carry a new battery. We were probably too prideful to ask someone to battery up our car with their vehicle. But it was a battery issue and VERY happy that that was the case!
What about if I want to keep my car under storage or at least non operational for a bit? Should I remove the battery and store it or leave it be in the car?
My alternator is 130 amps Toyota 27060-28230 Stock battery is 370 CCA I would like to keep my stock battery for starting and add a megatron plus 1000CA in my trunk to power a inverter and power amplifier, would my alternator be able to charge both batteries? Do i have to install a switch to control the charging?
@kenny50776 Your are right! I should have put some terminal protector spray on the terminals and cables. I am good about checking them and cleaning them. I did lock the battery and it was included, you just did not see it! :)
Dear Lord I'm glad I watched this, because I didn't know it was several steps and now I'm thinking I'll need help so I don't electrocute myself or something. Thank you for posting this. :)
I had replaced a automotive battery for a truck that had a 700 cold cranking amps battery. Before I had replaced it, I tested the battery and it was good. The owner of the truck was not believing me and was already pissed off. He said he wanted a new battery so no warranty was issued to him. He just did a straight full price buy for it. I installed the battery with connecting the positive first and connecting the negative last. The headlights turned on without the light switch being on and there was a loud buzzing sound coming from a small box that is located on the left side of the engine. The owner of the truck got really mad at me like if it was my fault. I just did what I normally do and this is the first time this happens to me after two years of changing batteries. I'm not a mechanic just a service technician. I do small things like oil changes, batteries and tires. Just small basic things. Another thing, the terminal stub was melting slightly. I know it was not something that I did, right? There has to be a short circuit in his vehicle. Anyway the guy had to tow his vehicle out of there at his expense because it did not want to start. I did not know what to tell him except to have a mechanic look at it and all I did was install his battery. I did not mess with anything else. He was there watching me the whole time.
@plazatow Yes, I agree. Generally it is a good idea to clean the terminals and cables with a battery terminal brush. I have one that I clean my terminals and cables with once in awhile to ensure a good connection.
You could do that if the battery posts are dirty or you see corrosion. It's also a good idea to use dielectric grease on the posts. I did re-attach the bracket but didn't think that was important to include in the tutorial.
Glad to hear it and glad I could help. Sorry to hear the battery was a pain to get out, you should try some German cars with the battery located in the trunk! That just makes it so much more enjoyable when you got it done though! :)
Is red positive? What exactly will happen if someone uninstalls a batt and takes the positive off first? Conversely, what will happen if someone installs a batt and puts the neg on first?
So i should do exactly what he did in this video if i dont want my airbag to go off? Im trying to replace my steering wheel and have to remove the airbag. (2014 Chevy Cruze LS)
Batteries in auto parts stores can sometimes be sitting for awhile before getting installed. They might need to charge a battery before selling and installing.
700 CCA and 875 CA are good. The higher the cold cranking amp rating of the battery, the better it is for your car. But, don’t get that confused with cranking amps - CA. See, cold, cranking amps - CCA, cranking amps - CA. The cranking amps are rated at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold, cranking amps are rated at 0, and the higher the temperature when they’re doing the rating, the higher the numbers. So, that CA rating may look impressive, but it really isn’t. Rely on cold cranking amps. So if you have a car that is lightly used, it sits for a long period of time; well, you want the longest reserve capacity you can get. So, here’s what you do - when it comes time to buy a battery, you’re looking to find a happy medium between the biggest cold, cranking amp rating that you can get and the biggest reserve capacity rating that you can get
I tried to replace my battery today but I ran into difficulty using my socket wrench to unloosen the bolts of the frame holding the battery in. It just wouldn't loosen the bolts - any special trick? Any workaround? Thanks,
Duricas I had a bit of rust on mine, when I replaced my battery in my '85 CJ7. I used WD-40 to try to loosen up the bolt a bit. Soaked the hell out of that bolt...lol. I guess it worked, because after the second try, it came loose. I went ahead and replaced out that nut and bolt as well.
after connecting positive terminal first on new battery, when i try to connect the negative terminal the terminal sparks and smokes a little and the alarm goes off!!! Help me
