Some battery cables may be too short to cut and put new ends on--these will have to be replaced. {"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T22:08:30+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-11-12T19:53:07+00:00","timestamp":"2022-06-22T19:36:56+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Automotive","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33813"},"slug":"automotive","categoryId":33813},{"name":"Car Repair & Maintenance","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33814"},"slug":"car-repair-maintenance","categoryId":33814},{"name":"General Car Repair & Maintenance","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33822"},"slug":"general-car-repair-maintenance","categoryId":33822}],"title":"How to Check and Replace Your Car Battery","strippedTitle":"how to check and replace your car battery","slug":"how-to-check-your-car-battery","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"A battery, like other parts of your vehicle, is subject to wear and tear and should be checked regularly. If you get acid deposits on your skin or clothes, wash them off with water immediately.

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    Disconnect the battery whenever you work on it, but be sure to shut the engine off first! On most modern vehicles, computers control functions of the engine, fuel and ignition systems, automatic transmissions, and other stuff. However, when the connector becomes a problem, fixing it is something that can be done by a regular vehicle owner with little knowledge of automobiles. Be extremely careful not to inadvertently send a shot of unwanted voltage into one of the computers and destroy it.

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    Always remove the negative cable from the battery if you plan to work on wiring under the hood. This prevents you from possibly damaging electrical components or receiving a shock.

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    When removing and replacing both battery cables, always remove the negative cable first and replace it last. If you attempt to remove the positive clamp first and your wrench slips and touches something metal, your wrench can fuse to the part like an arc welder.

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    Tie the cables back while you work on the battery. Dont allow anything made of metal to connect the terminal posts; this can damage the battery.

    Most are rated for five years. This is done with the razor knife and pliers. It should be the same size, shape, and configuration. Michael Rippetoe has been writing for 15 years, and has recently decided to make it his career. Youll also need a couple of clean lint-free rags, a pair of disposable latex gloves, some water and baking soda, and a battery brush. Some battery cables will need total replacement instead of just the end. You can also shine the insides of the cable clamps with the clamp cleaner thats usually sold as one unit with the brush. It should be the same size, shape, and configuration. Before you clean it, remove the cables (negative first) from both terminals by undoing the nut on each cable clamp and wiggling the cable until the clamp comes off the terminal post.

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    To brush the deposits off the terminal posts and cable clamps, sprinkle some baking soda onto each terminal, dip an old toothbrush or disposable brush in water, and scrub the deposits away.

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    You can use a battery terminal brush (inside the cap) and clamp cleaner.
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    If your cables and clamps wont clean up completely with baking soda and water, rotate an inexpensive battery terminal brush on each terminal to shine it and ensure a good, solid electrical connection. Cut the broken end off the battery cable with the wire cutters. Larger cables will require a larger wire cutter, or in some cases a hacksaw or bolt cutters. Dont allow anything made of metal to connect the terminal posts; this can damage the battery.

    baking soda with 1/2 cup warm water. To brush the deposits off the terminal posts and cable clamps, sprinkle some baking soda onto each terminal, dip an old toothbrush or disposable brush in water, and scrub the deposits away. A battery thats kept clean lasts longer than a cruddy one.

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    \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"445\"]\"The The parts of the battery to check[/caption]\r\n\r\n
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    Before you work on your battery, be sure to read all of the safety measures involved. Sclar lectures internationally on the ecological impact of vehicles and is active in promoting residential solar energy programs. Be extremely careful not to inadvertently send a shot of unwanted voltage into one of the computers and destroy it. If you attempt to remove the positive clamp first and your wrench slips and touches something metal, your wrench can fuse to the part like an arc welder.

    If its weak, the battery may need to be recharged or replaced before it dies and leaves you stranded.

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    Check the battery case and the terminals.

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    If you see major cracks in the battery case or obvious terminal damage, replace the battery regardless of its electrical performance.

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    How to find the right battery for your vehicle

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    If youve decided to replace your car's battery yourself, the first thing to do is to buy the right one. In particular, pay attention to the batterys trouble spots, shown here. Batteries are filled with sulfuric acid that generates hydrogen gas. If you dont have an adjustable wrench, buy or borrow one. After the battery terminals are reconnected, coat the terminals with thick automotive grease or petroleum jelly to prevent corrosive deposits from forming again. If you do, wash it off with water right away.

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    Reconnect the terminals to the battery, replacing the positive cable first and the negative cable last.

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    After the battery terminals are reconnected, coat the terminals with thick automotive grease or petroleum jelly to prevent corrosive deposits from forming again.

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    Examine the battery cables and clamps to see whether theyre frayed or corroded.

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    If the damage looks extensive, the cables and clamps may need to be replaced; otherwise, the battery may short-circuit, which could damage onboard computers. Before you clean it, remove the cables (negative first) from both terminals by undoing the nut on each cable clamp and wiggling the cable until the clamp comes off the terminal post.

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    To brush the deposits off the terminal posts and cable clamps, sprinkle some baking soda onto each terminal, dip an old toothbrush or disposable brush in water, and scrub the deposits away.

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    You can use a battery terminal brush (inside the cap) and clamp cleaner.
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    If your cables and clamps wont clean up completely with baking soda and water, rotate an inexpensive battery terminal brush on each terminal to shine it and ensure a good, solid electrical connection. To protect your eyes from any deposits that can hurt them, invest in an inexpensive pair of safety goggles, too. Its easy to check your battery. Some cables will be very thick and require large wire cutters to remove. Sclar is also the author of Buying a Car For Dummies. ","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/8944"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"

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