Is your car refusing to start? You may need to replace the battery then! How long does it take to replace a car battery? We explain here.
Your car’s battery is responsible for several essential functions in your vehicle – from ignition to voltage regulation. However, they also have a limited lifespan and either need to be recharged or replaced after a specific duration. Replacing a battery is the last resort when all other means of troubleshooting have failed.
Concerned about whether replacement is a long task? In most cases, it is not – but it can vary depending on the car model and whether you do it yourself or take it to an auto shop.
TL;DR: Replacing a car battery can take between 15 minutes to an hour depending on other factors. If you take your car to an auto repair shop it will be a short affair, while replacing it yourself will take longer.
Is it easy to replace a car battery?
Yes, car batteries are fairly easy to replace. A trained mechanic may be able to do it faster, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it on your own as well.
All you need to know is how to remove the positive and negative terminals from the old battery and attach them to the new battery.
How can you tell if a battery needs replacing?
There are several symptoms that your car shows when the battery is dead or needs replacing. Some of them are as follows:
- Flickering or dim headlights, tail lights, dashboard lights, and trouble with other electrical lights in the vehicle
- If the ‘Check Engine’ light remains on, it means that the ECU has read a voltage drop. This is primarily because of a drained or dead battery.
- If you have trouble starting the vehicle when turning the ignition key or pressing the ignition button, it could be because the battery isn’t able to provide enough charge.
- Usually, the battery case is a rectangular prism. However, if you notice that it is misshapen or bulging, it could be because of internal damage. That means it is time to replace the battery.
Also read: How long does a car battery last?
Is it better to charge a car battery or buy a new one?
The usual lifespan of a car battery is roughly four years. If it’s been less than four years since you changed the battery, you can try to recharge it and see if it makes a difference to the vehicle.
If recharging does not seem to make much difference, then it is best to buy a new one and replace the old battery.
Also read: How long does it take to charge a car battery?
How long does it take to replace a car battery?
A trained mechanic will be able to replace your car battery in as little as 15 minutes. If you try to do it by yourself, it may take you between 30 minutes to an hour.
How to replace a car battery: Steps to follow
You can easily change your battery if you have two socket wrenches (a 10mm and a 13 mm one) with you and follow the guidelines gives:
- Make sure the car is parked on a level surface with the parking brake engaged. Also, ensure it is turned off. To ensure that no mishaps occur, take the keys out of the ignition so that no electricity is drawn from the battery.
- Wear safety gloves and goggles to protect your eyes and hands from any battery acids (if the battery is corroded and spilling)
- The battery is located at the left corner of the engine and will have two cables attached to it. Using the 10 mm wrenches, start by disconnecting the negative terminal
- The black color cable is the negative (-) terminal, which should be disconnected first to avoid short circuits. Only then disconnect the positive (+) terminal.
- Next, use the 13 mm wrenches to loosen the bolted bracket at the bottom of the battery, which holds it in place. Lift the old battery out of the cavity and place it on a flat surface.
- Remove any rust or residue from the battery cables by scrubbing them with sandpaper.
- Place the new battery in place, tighten the bottom bracket and apply a layer of dielectric grease to the two terminals to prevent corrosion.
- Connect the positive cable first and then the negative cable using the 10-mm socket wrench. Once you close the hood, make sure to start the car and ensure everything is running properly.
Can you replace a car battery by yourself?
Yes! Replacing a car battery isn’t rocket science. You can easily replace it as long as you have safety gloves, goggles, and two socket wrenches (10-mm and 13-mm).
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