Before replacing your car’s battery, put the vehicle in park and turn the engine off. Be sure to engage the emergency brake, too.
It’s best to park your car on a flat surface to ensure it remains in place. If you’re working in your garage, keep the garage door open.
To access the car battery, you’ll need to pop the hood. Locate the battery as well as the positive and negative terminals. The positive terminal will have a plus “+” symbol, and the negative terminal will have a minus “-” symbol.
If you’re having trouble locating the battery and the terminals, reference your vehicle’s owner’s manual to help.
Now that you’ve located the battery terminals, it’s time to disconnect them to remove the battery. Use a wrench to loosen the nut on the negative terminal first.
Once the nut is loose, remove the negative terminal from the battery. Then, repeat this process with the positive terminal.
The next step is to remove the battery from the battery tray. Put on gloves before removing the car battery. It may be a bit heavy to lift, so take caution when you remove it. Do not allow a metal object to touch both sides of the battery.
After removing the car battery, it’s important to clean the battery terminals. Corrosion and residue will build up over time, which can be removed with a baking soda and water solution.
Use a wire brush to clean the terminals, and make sure everything is completely dry before replacing the battery.
When you install the new car battery in the battery tray, make sure to align the positive side of the battery with the positive side of the terminal and the negative side of the battery with the negative side of the terminal.
To reconnect the battery to the terminals, start with the positive terminal. Use the wrench to tighten the nut, then repeat with the negative terminal. Make sure the battery is completely secure and doesn’t move.
If your car doesn’t start, you can schedule battery service with us at BMW of Stratham. We have a team of highly trained technicians and state-of-the-art service technology to ensure your vehicle receives proper care.
Drivers around Stratham, Portsmouth, and Exeter, NH, can use this step-by-step guide to change their car’s battery.
If your vehicle needs battery services or you have questions about your car’s battery, contact our BMW of Stratham team today!
