How We and How To Change A Car Battery

The most essential yet overlooked part of any car is the Car Battery. The purpose of car battery is to kick start the engine in every atmospheric condition whether it is cold, hot or wet. The sad part of the car batteries is until it is properly charged and in good condition, most people do not regularly check or service the battery which is actually ideal to enhance its life. Being a silent member of the car’s automotive team, which does not demand much, people tend to take it for granted.

One needs to understand that everything has a limited life and so is the car battery. The average life span of any car battery is 3-7 years depending on the type, model and usage. Along with the servicing of car on regular basis, the car battery should also be checked so that it does not lose its strength. So, how would you know whether your car battery needs a change or recharging?

Common signs of the discharged car battery

The common characteristic of a car battery is to hold the charge and provide high power ignition to start engine, ignite the lights, plays music system, etc. in your car. If you face starting problem first time in the morning or even after a long drive the car takes longer time to start or the lights starts dimming then these are common signs of discharged car battery. The immediate step to take is to take the car to nearby car battery service station and ask the mechanic to check the CCA rating of the battery.

Some of the cars also have the battery meter which needs to be checked whether the volts is properly functioning or not. The battery should maintain 12.4 – 12.8 volts with the engine off without any accessory loaded. With the use of Cold Cranking Amps (CCA), the mechanic will be able to check the capacity of the car battery. If the rating is low then it means it needs immediate charging. If the battery is in good condition, then 25-30 minutes of drive is enough to recharge the battery. If the battery won’t recharge on drive, gets discharged faster or recharging slower, then it is time for a new car battery.

So when is the right time to replace a car battery?

The best time to replace the car battery is before a very cold season because the maximum amount of energy used by most car batteries are during the cold climate. If your car makes cranking noise while attempting to start the engine or the battery is bloating then it needs to be immediately changed. In majority of cases, the driving condition plays a vital role in car battery discharge than servicing. So after three years of car age, it becomes important to regularly check the car battery and maintain standard driving condition.

How to replace an old battery and set new battery in the car?

If you already have a new battery and wish to replace the car battery without any professional help then, follow the below steps by which you should be able to change the battery. As the fluid in the battery is very acidic and it becomes very hot because of the engine heat, it is always recommended to take professional help unless you are stranded in the middle of highway where getting a help is difficult. Follow the standard procedures and safety measures while changing the car battery.

1. Ensure the car battery needs complete replacement – Although you have a spare battery, but if the old battery is not complete discharged or mere recharging will bring it back to life then no need to change the car battery. But, if the car battery has completely discharged, won’t recharge, emits foul acidic smell, has swelled or slowly recharges then change it immediately to avoid further challenges.

• First of all switch of the engine, let the engine and battery cool down for some time and do not touch the battery with your bare hands.

• The acidic powder like residue on the battery is poisonous and can even burn your skin if it is hot.

• Check the alternator/battery meter which should show at least 12.4-12.8 when engine is off and no other accessory is loaded.

2. Before removing the battery – As this procedure can take time, it is recommended that you ensure your car is parked in a flat parking aside the road.

• Use the parking brakes and do not smoke while changing the battery. Use standard gloves, not only because the battery can burn but it has sulphuric acid which is highly corrosive.

• Open the hood of the car and let it cool for some time. Some of the car batteries are placed with belts which need to be removed before removing the car battery.

• DO NOT EVER touch both the terminals at the same time.

• Remove the negative and positive terminals (one by one) from the battery and keep a cloth handy on which you can keep the terminals.

• You will find the handle or slots given to pull the battery from its placement slot. Use the hand gloves to lift the battery from the placement and keep it in a flat surface.

• There are acidic liquid in the battery so keep it straight in the same position as it was placed in the car, on the ground.

3. Put the new car battery – Once you have removed the old battery safely, clean the entire slot and ensure there is no leakage or residue of the old battery. You can use the baking soda to remove the corrosion caused due to leakage of the fluids from old batteries.

• Unpack the new battery from the box and do not move the package too much. Remove the new battery from the box and place in the same slot where the old battery was attached.

• Keep the new battery in the same position and attach the terminals. While attaching the terminals ensure to attach the positive to positive and negative to negative, otherwise the car will not start.

• Tighten the cramp terminals or while driving there are chances the terminals get loosely connected or detach.

• If you have lithium grease handy then you can apply otherwise ask the mechanic while servicing to apply some on the terminals to avoid corrosion.

• Attempt to start the car engine and keep it active for some time. Play other accessories of the car and check if all the systems are working properly.

4. Disposing the old car battery – Your task of changing new car battery does not end here.

• You need to safely dispose the old car battery so that it does not cause any kind of hazardous effect.

• You can carry the old car battery with you and dispose it in the recycling centre or with us, Swift Battery Specialist.

We hope the above information is helpful to you and in case you need professional help then you can get in touch with us at +65 8858 9959. We provide professional assistance in Car battery replacement, sell new car batteries and help in jump start your car battery.