Useful information

The removal and fitting of a vehicle battery is usually a simple task that can be done on your own with basic tools you likely have on hand.

Note: To prevent reverse polarity, the arrangement of the negative and positive terminals should be noted before removing the old battery. The negative terminal will be connected to the earth cable which, in turn, is connected to the engine and chassis.

Steps to follow:

• Remove any protective parts like plastic housings and sleeves.
• Disconnect the earth cable first to prevent sparks caused by accidental short-circuiting between the positive terminal and the vehicle body. Disconnect the positive cable from the terminal post and then remove the battery hold-downs.
• Finally, remove the battery from the vehicle.
• Inspect the battery compartment for corrosion. Clean and repair where necessary. Inspect the brackets, hold-downs and terminal clamps for rust and damage, and remove any surface rust and dirt. Use a wire brush to clean corrosion from the battery tray and clamps.
• Carefully place the new vehicle battery in the tray and ensure it is properly seated. Make certain the positive and negative terminals are in the same position in relation to the earth cable (as noted during the removal procedure). This procedure ensures correct polarity.  Replace the battery hold-downs but do not tighten at this point.
• Before connection, check the correct polarity of the cables again. Connect the positive cable first, and then connect the earth cable.
• Take care that the terminal clamps are firmly fitted to eliminate contact interruptions due to vibrations. When connecting the terminal clamps, care must be taken that the battery terminals are not damaged by torsion or other mechanical stresses. Coat the terminals and cable clamps with petroleum jelly or a terminal protector.
• The hold-down nuts can now be tightened securely. Do not overtighten.
• Replace any protective parts like plastic housings and sleeves.
• Remove any tools from the engine compartment.
• Installation is now complete. To ensure the battery is installed correctly, turn ignition key on and crank the engine.