A car has a heart. And the car’s heart is the battery. Without a battery and engine to crank, without lights to illuminate the path, and without electronics to function. But all that’s good must at some time or another come to an end.
All drivers have at some point or another wondered: how do you safely remove a car battery? Sounds sinister,
- Wear protective gear – Car batteries have acid. Car batteries have a great deal of electric power. Gloves and eye glasses avoid accidents.
- Avoid metal contact – Never allow jewelry, watches, or tools to touch both terminals. Short circuit is hazardous.
- Locate your battery – Most are hood-side, but some are trunk or under seat. Check your manual if unsure.
Step-by-Step: How to Remove a Car Battery
Open the hood and find the battery
Hold the hood open firmly. Find a square box with two heavy wires—one black (negative), one red (positive). Some batteries also have plastic pieces that must be popped off first.
Find the terminals
Negative terminal: has a minus (-) sign and is usually black.
Positive terminal: has a plus (+) sign and is usually red.
Don’t confuse these—lost cables can short or even spark.
Remove the negative cable first
Loosen the nut that secures the negative terminal with your wrench. Pull the cable back firmly and jerk it so it won’t snap back and bite you. This should safely shut down the power.
Remove the positive cable
Loosen the nut on the positive terminal now. Take off the cable and get it out of the way. Always remember: first negative, second positive.
Take off any hold-down clamps
Most batteries are secured with a bracket or strap. Use your wrench to loosen and remove it. Keep the hardware in a safe place—you’ll need it when reinstalling.
Lift the battery out carefully
Batteries in cars weigh a lot, typically 30–50 pounds. Pick up straight up by both hands or by carry strap. Pick up upright so nothing spills.
Store the battery in a safe location
Place it on a level, dry, flat surface. Never upside down. When replacing, store it in a dry, ventilated area until recycling or disposal.
Do Not Do the Following Typical Mistakes
- Remove positives first. Causes short circuits. Remove negative lead first, always.
- Bare hand exposure. Burns skin with acid and sparks metal. Gloves are essential.
- Hard battery dropping and handling. They are dense and hard. Cracking can cause leakage.
- Contacts terminals with tools. Wrenches need to be removed from both posts at the same time.
- Cable tightening after is a failure. Loose cables can spark fire or carry power.
Cleaning and Inspection Recommendations
- Terminal cloth or brush to remove corrosion off terminals.
- Cables inspected for fraying, cracking, or damage.
- Terminal protector spray or petroleum jelly to shield from future corrosion.
- Rusty battery tray cleaned and re-painted, if necessary, prior to install.
Reinstall or Replace the Battery
- Reverse removal process at reinstall time
- Battery fitted into tray
- Hold-down clamp secures it in place
- Positive cable first in
- Negative cable second in
- Double check connections are tight
That is right, secure reinstalling.
The Emotional Foundation of Doing It Yourself
Jumping a car battery hurts nothing. It only hurts the first time you ever have to do it. You step back, you rattle your hands out, and you say: you did it.
You tampered with something mechanical, something electrical, something gigantic. You didn’t lose it. You learned. That feeling of independence is great. It’s greater than getting your car fixed—it’s fixing your self-esteem.
How Long to Drain a Car Battery?
15–20 minutes if you are not a pro. Pro’s under 10. Time is not the trick, safety is.
When to Drain a Car Battery?
- When putting in a new battery
- Before making any electrical repair on your vehicle
- When you will be not driving your vehicle for months (prevents drain)
- When removing corrosion deposits
To know when and why is worth having the skill of knowing.
Where to Recycle an Old Car Battery
Don’t toss it in the garbage can. Car batteries can be recycled. Recycling centers, repair shops, and auto parts stores will accept them. Some even give return credit. By disposing of them, chemicals are kept from entering the environment.
FAQs
What do I use to remove a car battery?
Wrench or socket set, safety glasses, and gloves.
Which do I remove first?
Remove the negative cable first so that there are no sparks or short circuits.
Is it okay to remove a car battery?
Only if you’re careful. Gloves, goggles, and common sense make it okay.
How much do car batteries weigh?
Most of them range between 30 and 50 pounds, so be careful handling them.
What do I do with a used car battery?
Dispose of it in repair shops or recycling facilities. Never dispose of it among domestic household family rubbish.