How to do a car battery installation at home?

After we post an article of how to disconnecting a car battery, In this post, we continue about how to do a car battery installation at home. Handling a car battery, including removing or installing, is a job that requires caution. Any errors in installation or removal can result in a lot of losses.

So, here are some precaution before installing car battery

Make sure the car ignition key is out of the car and pull the hand brake.
Open the car door to prevent auto locking door works when the battery connected.
Provide battery installing tools including wrench, anti-corrosion spray, wire brush,etc before installing a car battery.

Here they are step by step about how we do a car battery installation at home.

1. Clean the battery terminals

Before installing a car battery, clean the battery terminals first. Use a wire brush with battery cleaning solution chemical or you can pouring hot water to the terminals. Make sure the battery terminals are cleaned well, and let them dry completely.

2. Insert the battery

Insert the battery straight up and don't shake to much in the battery tray , especially for the lead-acid battery types. Aligning the positive (+) and negative (-) ends of the battery with the matching terminals and cables. Red color mean is the positive, and black color is for negative.

3. Re-install the battery clamps

Re-install the battery clamps as the same way you removed them and tighten up in order to secure the battery.

4. Apply Anti-corrosion spray

Before installing the battery terminals, apply anti-corrosion spray on both battery posts or if you don't have, you can use petroleum jelly and apply it on each battery posts and terminals. This action is preventive steps to reduce the battery corrosion build ups.

5. Attach the terminal cables to the battery

When installing car battery terminals, always remember to attach the red/positive (+) cable first to the red/positive battery post, then tighten with a wrench. After the red/positive (+) cable terminal attached and tightened, do the same on the black/negative (-) side.

For safety reasons, if you want to connecting a car battery, connect the red/positive (+) first. But, if you want to disconnect a car battery, then disconnect the black/negative (-) first. Always remember this order when disconnecting and reconnecting a car battery : Remove black, remove red, attach red, attach black.

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6. Double check the connection

Ensure the connection on both battery posts are secured enough. Double check for battery clamps installation, make sure is tight enough.

7. Start your engine

The last steps when installing a car battery is start the engine and pay attention to the battery warning light indicator. The battery warning light should be off after the engine running.