How to Install a Car Battery

Removing the Bad Battery

1. With the engine off, activate the parking brake and open the hood. Once you locate the battery, loosen the nut connecting the black cable, or negative cable, from the battery using a wrench. Specific battery wrenches or even pliers can help make this easier.
2. Once the nut is loosened, twist and pull the cable off. If it’s stuck, you don’t want to use a tool to pry it off as this could cause damage to the battery.
3. Using the same steps above, remove the red battery cable from the positive terminal.
4. Loosen and remove the hold-down clamps that keep the engine in place.
5. The battery is ready to be removed. Take it out carefully using both hands.
6. Remove corrosion that might be in the battery tray or on the hold-down clamps using a baking soda and water solution or a battery cleaning product.
7. Then use a wire brush and clean the battery cable connectors.

Installing the New Battery

1. Place the new battery in the battery tray and tighten the hold-down clamp.
2. Spray the anti-corrosion solution on the positive and negative terminal of the new battery before connecting. This can not only help avoid corrosion but also extend the life of the battery.
3. Attach the battery cables to the battery terminals, red cable first.
4. Double check the connections to ensure they are secure, then try to move the battery to test that it is snugly in place.
5. Start the car. If you’re still having issues, contact your Aurora-area battery experts at Napleton Mazda of Naperville.

Why Buy at Napleton Mazda of Naperville?

For years, we’ve been serving drivers in Lisle and the surrounding communities with top-tier automotive service. We continually go the extra mile by offering stellar perks for our customers, including:

• Our full service and detail center can handle the full range of your maintenance and repair needs.
• We offer loaner vehicles by appointment, so you don’t have to put your life on hold while your vehicle is being serviced.