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During your vehicle's lifespan, you may need to disconnect the engine battery for a variety of reasons ranging from simple car maintenance to full engine repairs. Though it might seem intimidating, the process is incredibly simple and can be done in less than a minute once you know how.

Steps

1
Take the necessary precautions before you try to disconnect your battery. Besides holding a potentially lethal electrical charge, batteries contain corrosive agents that can produce a flammable gas. Before you remove your car's battery, take these safety steps.^[1]
- Turn off the ignition.
- Wear safety goggles and gloves to protect your eyes and hands.
2

Find the negative terminal on the top of your car's battery. It usually has a black cover. The battery itself may have a minus sign near the connector post. The positive terminal usually has a red cap or a plus sign on the battery near its connection post.^[2]

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3
Determine what size socket you need to loosen the nut on the negative terminal. Always work on the negative terminal before the positive when you disconnect your battery.^[3]
- Grab a socket from your socket kit and hold it near, but not against, the nut on the negative terminal of your battery. Ascertain visually the socket size you'll need to loosen the nut.
- Put the appropriately sized socket on your wrench. You might have to attach a wrench extender to reach the nut.
- Put the wrench on the nut on the negative terminal and turn counterclockwise (remember: righty tighty, lefty loosey). It will take only a few turns to loosen it.
- Pull the negative connector from the battery after you've loosened the nut. Push it aside so it is unable to make contact with the battery while you're doing your work.
- If the cable is seized to the battery post, a special battery cable removal tool may be needed to remove the negative connector. Ask your local auto parts store or mechanic.
4

Follow the same procedure to disconnect the positive terminal. After removing it from the terminal, don't let the positive connector touch any metal part of the car.^[4] There is residual current in the system that, if it were to touch a metal surface, could disrupt or damage the circuits in the vehicle.
5
Continue with your work. With the battery cables disconnected, you can safely perform repairs on electrical components of the vehicle. If you just need to put in a new car battery, it can be done in a few simple steps.
- After the battery is disconnected, unscrew the brackets that hold it in its tray.
- Lift the battery straight up, out of its tray. Keep in mind that car batteries can weigh 40 lbs. so ask for help if you need it.
- 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.^[5] Most accept old batteries for a nominal fee.
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Question

What mistakes can I avoid when replacing my car battery?

Hovig Manouchekian is an Auto Repair and Design Specialist and the Manager of Funk Brothers Auto, a family-owned business operated since 1925. With over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, Hovig specializes in the process of auto repair and maintenance. He is also very knowledgeable in common automotive issues and needs including engine repair, battery replacement, and windshield accessory and maintenance. Hovig's knowledge and hard work have contributed to Funk Brothers Auto winning Angie's List Super Service Award for five consecutive years.

Auto Repair & Design Specialist

Expert Answer

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.

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VideoRead Video Transcript

Remove all jewelry, particularly rings and necklaces.
Put on protective eyewear and insulated gloves.
Batteries in hybrid vehicles produce more than 300 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.
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.
Work outside, where gases have no chance to build up.

Things You'll Need

Socket-wrench set
Socket-wrench extender
Protective eyewear
Insulated work gloves
Old toothbrush
Small pan
Baking soda
Water
Zip ties

About This Article

Article Summary X

To disconnect a car battery, start by turning off the engine and opening the hood so you can access the battery. Wear eye protection when working with the battery to protect your eyes from sparks. Locate the positive and negative terminals on the battery. The positive terminal will be marked with a "+," and the negative battery will be marked with a "-." If there are plastic caps over the terminals, remove those now. Next, use a wrench to unbolt the negative battery cable. Be careful not to touch the negative and positive terminals at the same time with the wrench or you could create a spark. Lift off the negative battery cable and set it aside. Then, unbolt the positive battery cable and lift that off too. If the battery is still stuck, you'll need to use a socket wrench to unbolt the clamp that's locking the battery in place. Otherwise, lift the battery out of the vehicle, and you're done! For tips from our reviewer on removing and cleaning your car battery, read on!

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