Hooking Up a Car Battery Is a Beginner Job for Most DIYers. Here’s Everything You Need To Know To Hook Up a Car Battery at Home.
- DIY Difficulty Level: Beginner
- Time Required: 30 minutes
- Tools & Materials:
What Is Hooking Up a Car Battery?
A car battery is the backbone of all the electrical systems in a vehicle. Most batteries will slowly discharge over time and last for about three years. When a car battery stops working, it’s a relatively easy job to take out the old one and hook up a new car battery. Replacing a car battery is one of the 50 easy DIY car repairs you can do at home.
Keep in mind that depending on the size of the battery, if you have to remove an old one or put a new one in your car, it can get heavy. Some batteries weigh up to 50 pounds.
Is It Safe To Drive Without Hooking Up a Car Battery?
If your car battery is not working, the car won’t go anywhere. It’s needed to start the car, and it powers the electrical systems needed to keep the car running.
Hooking up a car battery is an easy job you can do at home or in the parking lot of the auto parts store. Most batteries are under the hood of the car, but there are some manufacturers that put them in places that are less accessible, and you might need extra tools to get to it. Once you’ve located the battery, you don’t need any special tools to hook it up.
The most expensive part of hooking up a battery is purchasing it. It doesn’t take much time, and although you can get specialized tools for loosening the connections, a socket wrench should do the trick in most cases. If you bring your car to a mechanic to have the battery replaced, it typically costs between $309 and $450 for parts and labor combined, but you also might have to pay to have it towed there if it won’t start.
When To Hook Up a Car Battery
You’ll need to hook up a car battery when you replace an old one with a new one. Before you can hook it up, you’ll need to unhook and remove the old battery. Most batteries last for about three years, but this depends on the quality of the battery you have and how often you drive.
If you don’t start your car very often and the battery spends a lot of time sitting, it won’t last as long as a battery that’s used every day.
You can hook up a car battery yourself even if you don’t know much about cars and how they work, but it is important to remember that you are working with an electrical system. The risk of electric shock is very low, but it’s best to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and long pants and long sleeves to protect you from the mild acid in the battery.
If you don’t feel comfortable working with the electrical system in your car, it’s better to bring it to your mechanic. If the old battery is dead and the car won’t start, you might need to have it towed.
What Are Common Symptoms Indicating You Need To Hook Up a Car Battery?
A car battery can slowly start to lose its charge, or it can happen suddenly. Some signs that you might need to remove the old battery and hook up a new car battery include:
- Interior lights start dimming
- Engine is slow to turn over
- Engine doesn’t start
- Car loses electricity
- Car needs a jump start
- Battery casing is cracked, leaking, or swollen
Keep in Mind
Connecting a battery is not hard, but it’s important to follow safety procedures. Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and do this service as advised for your make and model.
Work in a well-ventilated area, and keep any sparks away from the battery. While hooking up a car battery, make sure to avoid direct contact with any of the battery fluids.
While you hook up a car battery, you can also check the:
- Battery connections and cables
- Battery terminals
How To Hook Up a Car Battery
There are just a few steps for hooking up a car battery. Before you get started, make sure the car is off, it’s in park, and the emergency brake is set.
Step 1: Put on Safety Gear and Pop the Hood
Before you can hook up a new car battery, the old one needs to be disconnected and removed. Once the old battery is out, you should take the time to clean the area where the new battery will sit. Use a wire brush or find some steel wool to clean the clamps and remove any corrosion.
Step 2: Place the New Battery in the Tray
When you put the battery in the tray, make sure it is facing the right direction. The positive and negative terminals should line up with the corresponding cables. Use the hold-down strap to secure the battery in place so it doesn’t move around. This strap also prevents vibration wear when the vehicle moves. Just make sure you don’t tighten it too hard because it could damage the battery casing and plastic.
Step 3: Attach the Cables
Before attaching the cables, spray the terminal ends with an anti-corrosion spray. Attach the positive cable first, and then attach the negative cable. Hand-tighten the nuts. Once you have the battery in, check all the cable connections and the hold-downs to make sure everything is secure. Try moving the battery back and forth to ensure it is secure. If you can move the battery cables at all when you check them, the car may not start if the electrical connection is too weak.
Step 4: Start the Engine
Once you’ve got everything connected and secured, get in and start the engine.
Still Need Help?
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Disclaimer: The guidelines in this article are general and not meant to replace instructions for your specific vehicle. Please consult your owner’s manual, repair guide, or a professional before attempting repairs.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
