Road Travel: How To Replace a Car Battery

Replacing a car battery is an essential maintenance task. Under normal operations, a car battery should last between three and five years.
Find out how to replace a battery and why you should stop by your local auto parts store for battery testing services and the right replacement. Enjoy quality starting and long battery life when you pick up the right replacement part.
Pick up the right replacement battery and gather the necessary tools before replacing your battery. Be sure your vehicle is parked on flat ground in a well-lit area. Most automotive batteries are made with lead and acid, so it’s important to work carefully around an old battery and recycle it after removal.

Always remove the negative battery cable before touching the positive one. Most positive battery terminals have a plastic cover to prevent accidental contact. Only after removing the negative cable and keeping it away from the battery can you remove the positive cable from the battery terminal. Look for a battery strap, case, or other security devices before fully removing your old battery.
Simply replace the battery in reverse order. Secure the battery, connect the positive cable then connect the negative cable. Turn on an electrical device or attempt to start your car to test that your battery is fully connected.
Promptly recycle your old battery, as it can leak and damage materials if it’s improperly stored. Lead plates and sulfuric acid are damaging and hazardous materials, so take your old battery to a local recycling center or to your trusted auto parts specialist.
How To Find Out What Battery You Need

Automotive batteries come in a wide range of sizes. The physical dimensions, cold crank amps, warranty length, and other features affect the type of replacement battery you need. You can simply replace your car battery with an exact replacement, but use these features to verify that your current component matches the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Review the battery group size, which is represented as a two-digit number. Common batteries are between 24 and 75. Next, inspect your owner’s manual for the minimum cold-cranking amps, also known as CCA. A higher CCA rating will still work correctly with your vehicle, but a rating lower than the recommended one can prevent the battery from activating your starter.
The battery cell type, brand, and warranty length are all flexible features of your replacement battery. Discuss the pros and cons of various options with your local auto parts specialist or shop online to find the best component for your vehicle.
Tools Needed To Change a Battery

As you shop for a new battery, don’t forget to look for the essential tools for replacing your battery. Most replacement tasks only require a few hand tools, so an adjustable wrench and screwdriver should be all the tools you need.
If you’re uncomfortable replacing your own battery, stop by a trusted auto parts store today. Enjoy free battery testing, recycling, and replacing services for your new battery. Compare Duralast battery warranty levels to find the best protection to keep your vehicle moving forward.