Which battery lead disconnect first

Batteries are usually heavy, especially if you drive a truck or an SUV which has a battery weighing almost 40 pounds. To install the new battery you can use the same guide but backward. Put the battery in place and fit the bracket or strap.

Start with installing the positive terminal and the negative terminal after. Remember that you often have to re-set the clock and radio settings in your car after you replaced you battery.

If you have disconnected your car battery after a long time, you might have noticed that the terminals have corrosion on them. The things you would require are:. Making the cleaner is simple; just mix one tablespoon of baking soda in one cup of water and mix it well. Next, dip the toothbrush into the cleaner and start cleaning the terminals. You might need to apply some force as the dust and grime may be difficult to remove. Scrub the terminals thoroughly until no dust or grime is visible.

Once the corrosion is removed, spray water on the terminals and wipe gently with a clean cloth or rag. Once the terminals have been cleaned and dried, apply petroleum jelly on them which will provide some lubrication and prevent any further corrosion. Note: Before you begin cleaning the terminals, inspect the car battery to see if it is leaking, swollen or has any visible damage. If the battery is damaged then cleaning the terminals will be no good and you would still have to purchase a new battery.

The car battery is an essential component that helps to start the engine and power all the electrical modules in the car. Ask any car question in our new community! Magnus is the owner and main author of MechanicBase. He has been working as a mechanic for over 10 years, and the majority of them specialized in advanced diagnostics and troubleshooting.

Certified Automotive Diagnostic Technician. Contents show. Safety tips before disconnecting the battery. How to disconnect a car battery 1. Using an old toothbrush, brush the tray and battery cables with a diluted baking-soda mixture and allow them to dry before putting in your new car battery.

Place the new battery on the tray and tighten the clamps. Connect the cable for the positive terminal first, then the negative. Remember to securely tighten the nuts on each. Close the hood and start the car. Dispose of the old battery properly. The auto-parts store you bought your new battery from probably will take the old one as part of its service arrangement. If not, take it to a recycling center or automotive garage. Hovig Manouchekian. Make sure the battery is the correct size.

If it doesn't meet the specifications of the vehicle and the dimensions of where the battery sits, the battery may end up being too small and moving around in the cavity while the car drives. You should also make sure that you do not connect the battery cables backwards. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Remove all jewelry, particularly rings and necklaces.

Helpful 8 Not Helpful 4. Helpful 6 Not Helpful 6. Batteries in hybrid vehicles produce more than volts, which is a potentially lethal level. If you need to work on any electrical component in a hybrid vehicle, disable the high-voltage battery in the back of the car first.

The wiring is usually color-coded in orange. Use insulated tools and gloves when performing the task to reduce the risk of shock. Be sure to follow the exact procedure from the manufacturer on disconnecting a hybrid battery as there may be additional steps involved.

Helpful 2 Not Helpful 4. Standard car batteries can generate several hundred amps of current, which is roughly the amount of current used by a welding arc. Do not try to test your battery's charge by touching the positive and negative terminals with a metal tool.

The current is so high it could damage the tool and potentially harm you, as well. Zip tie the cables away from the battery to prevent cables from returning to the battery terminal and causing sparks or electrocution. Helpful 1 Not Helpful 3. Helpful 1 Not Helpful 4. Related wikiHows How to. How to. About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: Updated: May 6, Categories: Car Batteries and Ignitions. Article Summary X To disconnect a car battery, start by turning off the engine and opening the hood so you can access the battery.

In other languages Italiano: Smontare la Batteria dell'Auto. Bahasa Indonesia: Memutuskan Baterai Mobil. Nederlands: Een auto accu loskoppelen. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,, times. If you haven't attempted to disconnect a battery before, we're here to help. It's simple and requires just a couple of tools. But you need to know how to do it properly to ensure your safety and make sure that nothing bad happens to your vehicle or its electrical system.

Follow these steps and the operation will go smoothly and quickly. Most vehicles have them bolted in place under the hood. You'll have to get to it. If you've never raised your vehicle's hood before, check your owner's manual. It'll tell you how to do it and where the safety catch is under the front of the hood.

Some vehicles have their batteries tucked away out of sight in the trunk. If you can't find your battery under the hood, it's almost for sure in the rear of the vehicle. Again, check your owner's manual to be sure. This is one of the most important steps. You will need at most only a couple of wrenches to get the job done, depending on how much space there is to maneuver the wrench and whether the battery cable uses a single bolt on the clamp or one that also uses a nut on the other end.

You'll have to borrow the wrenches from a friend or relative or buy a set. Most but not all battery-cable clamps have millimeter bolts, so you'll likely need a millimeter open-end wrench to disconnect the cables. A socket-wrench set that includes that same-size socket will be helpful as well.

In some cases, you can get by with just an adjustable open-end wrench. Here's where you need to be careful.