Do you feel confident when it comes to car care and car emergencies? Lots of people are cool with the basics - checking oil, adding air to tires, swapping out wiper blades, and changing a flat. However, here at Toyota of N Charlotte, we think it's important to have more than just basic skills in your car ownership arsenal in case you're ever in an emergency situation where they're called for. That's why today, we're teaching you how to install a car battery on your own.
Don't get us wrong - we're perfectly willing and able to help you replace your car battery right here at our Charlotte Toyota service center. But what if you're out on the open highway or far from home and have this type of car emergency? Knowing how to replace a battery instead of waiting for a tow truck can save you time and money. Check it out.
First, make sure you have the right car battery for your car. You can check your owner's manual or ask one of our Charlotte auto service techs for tips in choosing one, but make sure you have the correct type or you can damage your vehicle. You'll also want to make sure you have the right supplies, including a socket wrench, petroleum jelly, and the new battery. Finally, take a minute to clean your current battery if it's got lots of corrosion on it - cleaning the corrosion off can make getting the new one hooked up a lot easier.
How to change a car battery on your own
Step #1: Turn your car off and pop the hood. You'll use the wrench to loosen the clamps that are attached to the current battery. ALWAYS remove the BLACK (negative, -) cable FIRST, then the RED (positive, +) cable.
Step #2: Pull the old battery out of its housing. Remember, you can't just throw a car battery in the trash - make sure you dispose of it properly.
Step #3: Put the new battery in and put some petroleum jelly on the battery terminals. This will help increase and maintain conductivity, ensuring your battery can do its job. It can also help prevent future corrosion.
Step #4: Attach the cables to the terminals. You're going to reverse what you did prior - FIRST attach the RED (positive, +) cables to the battery, THEN the BLACK (negative, -).
Step #5: Start your car and ensure it starts and runs smoothly, and you're ready to hit the road!
Contact Toyota of N Charlotte if you need help!
Have questions? Here at Toyota of N Charlotte, we've got answers. Give us a call! Our Charlotte Toyota service center is open seven days a week at (704) 659-2025
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