How to Remove a Car Battery

Your car’s battery starts the car up, keeps it running, and helps power all the electrical components. There may come a time where you need to remove the battery, such as when it needs to be replaced or checked for corrosion. Although this task is simple to do, it must be done carefully and properly because it can be dangerous. Auffenberg Volkswagen has the details on how to remove a car battery safely.

Before You Get Started

Be sure to put on insulated work gloves before handling a car battery. Batteries hold enough charge to deliver a deadly shock. You will also want to protect your eyes so that they don’t come in contact with corrosive materials from the battery. Do not touch the battery until the car has been shut off. If the vehicle is on, it can produce a spark and ignite flammable agents.

Here are a few other tips to keep in mind:

• If battery cables touch, it can become a fire hazard. That is why it is important to secure them in place.
• Place a cloth over the end of the positive cable to minimize the chance of metal-to-metal contact.
• Do not wear jewelry while working with a car battery. If the jewelry comes into contact with the battery, it can lead to a shock.
• To prevent exposure to dangerous gasses, you will want to work in a well-ventilated area.

If the terminal is fused, a special battery cable removal tool will need to be used.

Battery Removal Tips

Now that the tasks above are complete, it is time to follow the steps below to safely remove your battery:

• Locate the negative terminal of the battery. It should have a black plastic cover or a minus sign and will be located either on the post or in close proximity.
• Use a wrench or pliers to hold the bolt head of the negative terminal still.
• Use a different set of pliers or a wrench to remove the nut. When it has been removed, take the negative cable off and make sure that it is secured away from the battery.
• You will do the same for the positive cable. Once again, make sure that both battery cables do not come into contact with each other.
• If the battery is held by a securing bracket, use your pliers or wrench to take out the screws and bolts that hold it in place.
• Lift the battery straight out of the bracket. Keep in mind that the battery may be quite heavy (up to 40 pounds).

Auffenberg Volkswagen Can Answer Your Questions About Removing a Car Battery

Making sure your battery is in good condition can help you to avoid a vehicle breakdown on the roads of Madison. If you have additional questions about removing a car battery or other vehicle maintenance tasks, contact the team at Auffenberg Volkswagen today. You can also set up an appointment at our service center.

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