How to Remove a Car Battery

The car battery is an important component of your car and can make your drives through Lake Havasu City more enjoyable. It helps start your car, keeps it running and powers all of the car’s electrical components. Sometimes, you’ll have to remove the battery in order to replace it when there’s damage. Contrary to what you may think, this process is a task that you can do by yourself at home! Use our trusted instructions below to remove a car battery safely.

If you have any questions, call our service department for more car battery help!

Preparation

As mentioned before, the car battery has electricity, so you need to wear insulated work gloves when handling the battery. You also need to have safety goggles to protect your eyes from corrosive agents. Make sure your car is completely turned off as a running vehicle can possibly start a fire.

Here are some additional tips you should consider implementing:

• Battery cables can create a dangerous fire hazard when they touch. Make sure the battery cables are kept in the right position by securing them with zip ties or cords. .
• Cover the positive cable end with a cloth once it is removed to avoid the risk of metal-to-metal contact.
• Remove any jewelry and make sure you avoid loose clothing.
• Ensure you’re in a well-ventilated area to prevent exposure to harmful gasses.

If the terminal is fused, there’s a special battery cable removal tool to loosen it. You’ll find these available from the parts departments at Anderson Auto Group.

Removal

Now that you’ve prepared yourself appropriately, it’s time to remove the battery. Here’s what you should do:

• The negative terminal typically has a black plastic cover or a minus sign. It’s usually located on the post or nearby. Find the terminal and use pliers to hold the bolt on the terminal still and remove the nut.
• Pull off the negative cable and tuck it away from the battery securely.
• Repeat the previous step for the positive cable. Make sure the two cables don’t touch.
• Some batteries are secured by a bracket. If this is the case, use pliers or wrench to remove the screws and bolts that hold the bracket in place.
• Lift the battery straight out of the bracket. Keep in mind that it may weigh up to 40 pounds.

How Many Volts is a Car Battery?

When removing a car battery, you may be curious about its voltage. In general, a fully charged battery should have 12.6 volts or more. While driving in Bullhead City, this voltage could increase up to 14.7 volts. If you need to test your car battery at home, follow these simple steps:

• Start your car and turn on your headlights
• If the lights are dim, they may be running on your battery
• If the lights get brighter when you rev the engine, the alternator may be producing some current, but not enough when idle to keep the battery charged
• If the lights have a normal level of brightness, even when you rev the engine, your battery is likely working normally

Learn More About Removing a Car Battery With Anderson Auto Group!

If you’d prefer one of our experts to do this task, feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment! We’ll make sure your car is well taken care of.