| Replacing a Car Battery |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-510 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Replacing a battery is a fairly easy job for the average do-it-yourselfer. It requires few tools, and can usually be done in less than an hour. The battery (figure A) is the center of your car's electrical system -- the device that supplies the power so that you can start your car every morning. If your battery is more than four years old, it's probably time to replace it. Following are three questions dealing with battery replacement and maintenance.
Q: What should I look for in buying a new battery? A: There are four main factors to consider when shopping for a battery: - Battery size. Check your vehicle owner's manual for this information. Also, when you go to the auto-parts center, check their reference manual to ensure that you're purchasing the correct battery for the make, year and model of your vehicle.
- Cold-cranking AMPs (CCA). The CCA number is displayed on the battery ( figure B). The higher the CCA number, the better suited the battery is for cold-weather starts. Obviously, a higher CCA is more important if you live in an area of the country with very cold winters.
- Reserve Capacity (RC). The RC number is also displayed on the battery (figure C). The higher the RC number, the greater the reserve your battery has in the event of an equipment failure -- such as an alternator that has quit working or a broken fan-belt.
- Reputable brand. Avoid skimping when it comes to batteries. Brand-name batteries may cost a bit more, but are usually more reliable and durable than off-brands.
Q: How do I replace my battery? A: Replacing a battery is a fairly simple process, with only a few steps involved. Following are the tools and steps necessary for a typical battery replacement. Tools: Two wrenches (ratchet or adjustable) Ratchet-wrench with extender
Wire brush
Baking soda and water solution
Clean rags
Safety alert: When replacing a battery -- and any time that you're working under the hood of a vehicle -- wear safety glasses or goggles. Since batteries contain corrosive materials, it's also a good idea to wear gloves.
Steps: - Check your vehicle's manual to find out the type of grounding system your vehicle has. The vehicle in our demonstration used a negative-grounding system.
- For a negative grounding system, remove the battery-cable connected to the negative post first (figure D). (For a positive grounding system, remove the positive cable first.) The cable terminal is held in place by a collar tightened and loosened by a nut and bolt. Use two wrenches, working in opposite direction, to loosen the nut. Lift the cable free of the terminal, and tuck it out of the way.
- Once the cable has been loosened and disconnected from the negative post, do the same for the positive side (figure E).
- With both cables loose, use a ratchet wrench with an extender to loosen the clamp device (figure F) that holds the battery stationery in its place.
- With the clamp loose, lift the battery carefully out (figure G). Batteries are heavy, so use caution when lifting.
- Use a wire brush, and a solution of backing soda and water to clean any corrosion that may have built up on the terminals (figure H). Roughing the surface of the clamps slightly with the wire brush also helps ensure a good, strong contact with the posts of the new battery.
- Follow up by cleaning and drying the terminals with a clean cloth (figure I). Make certain that the contacts are dry before installing the new battery.
- Inspect the battery tray -- which supports the bottom of the battery when it's mounted in the vehicle -- to see if there is debris or corrosion there. If so, clean the battery tray also with the wire brush, solution and clean cloth.
- With the terminals and battery tray cleaned, you can lift the new battery into place (figure J).
- Secure the new battery in the tray using the clamping device that was removed earlier.
- With the battery in position, reinstall the battery cables (figure K), reconnecting them in the reverse order from which they were removed. In our case, the positive cable was connected first, followed by the negative.
- Using two wrenches, tighten the terminal clamps using the tightening nut and bolt.
- Important: Dispose of used batteries responsibly. Take them to an auto-parts store for recycling.
Q: Can I recharge my battery? A: You can recharge a battery using a commercially available battery recharger that you keep in your garage. Most auto repair shops and parts stores offer this service as well. The battery can be recharged in the vehicle, or removed from the vehicle.
Another option for starting a vehicle with a weak battery is to jump-start it from another vehicle using jumper cables. It's a good idea to keep jumper cables in the trunk of your vehicle for roadside emergency situations. - Safety Alert: When using jumper cables, follow the instructions that come with the cables, and observe some important safety precautions.
- Begin with the red clamps (figure L). First, hook one of the red clamps to the positive terminal on the dead vehicle battery.
- Second, connect the other red clamp to the positive terminal on the donor (good) battery.
- Next, hook one of the black clamps (figure M) to the negative terminal on the donor battery.
- Finally, hook the other black clamp onto to a clean, unpainted surface (e.g., the engine block) on the vehicle with the dead battery.
- Start the donor vehicle and let it run for a few seconds before starting your vehicle.
- Remove the cables in the reverse order from which they were connected.
An option to jumper cables is to keep a portable battery booster (figure N) in your trunk for jump-starting your vehicle. In order to be effective, battery boosters do need to be kept charged. Follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with the booster for proper care and charging.
RESOURCES :
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Trouble-Free Car Care
Author: Dan Ramsey
ISBN: 0028635833
Alpha Books
How Cars Work
Author: Tom Newton
ISBN: 0966862309
Publisher: Black Apple Press
Auto Repair for Dummies
Author: Deanna Sclar
ISBN: 0764550896
Saturday Mechanic
Model: 0688178081
Author: Popular Mechanics Staff (Editor)
(2001)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
William Morrow Books / Hearst Books
Website: www.harpercollins.com
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
