Whether you have a sporty sedan, work truck or family-friendly SUV, they all rely on a battery to power them down the road. When the time comes to change your battery, tackle this straightforward repair job in your own garage.

With the right Champion battery and a few tools, you’ll have your vehicle back on the road in no time. Please note that you can use the same general steps to replace a battery in a boat, ATV, lawnmower or piece of commercial equipment.

Engineered to deliver consistent performance, you can feel confident when you replace your battery with a high quality Champion battery. Featuring batteries for cars, commercial equipment, boats and lawn & garden, you are sure to find a Champion battery for any application.

Before you begin

Check your owner’s manual to see if your radio or navigation system could be affected by changing the battery. You might have to enter a code or multiple codes to ensure that your radio and navigation system continue to work properly after you change the battery. If the manual doesn’t list the codes, check with the dealership.

To avoid losing radio presets and other memory settings, you can use a “memory saver” – a device that uses a 9V battery plugged into the cigarette lighter to maintain power to the radio and other components. Once you have installed the new battery, unplug the device and your car’s radio and other computer components won’t know they were ever disconnected.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One

Pop the hood open and find where your battery is located. Remove the cover.

Step Two

Next, remove the bracket that holds the battery in place. Loosen the bolt and pull out the bracket.

Step Three

Now it’s time to disconnect the battery cables from the battery you want to replace. Remove the negative (black) cable first. Turn the nut counterclockwise. Move to removing the positive (red) cable. You may have to wiggle the cables to get them out.

Step Four

Carefully lift out the old battery, holding it at the bottom with both hands. Keep the battery upright as you take it out – remember it contains hazardous materials. Batteries can weigh up to 40 pounds, get help if you can’t safely remove and carry it on your own.

Step Five

If the cables are dirty and corroded, clean them before connecting them to a new battery. In a glass, mix a solution of baking soda and water. You can place the cables directly in the solution. Use a wire brush to remove corrosion if necessary. You can also use this solution to clean off any corrosion from the battery tray.

Step Six

Put the new battery in the tray, using a partner if it is too heavy for you to do alone. Put some petroleum jelly on the terminal posts to prevent future corrosion.

Step Seven

Connect the positive cable first – tighten the nut clockwise to secure it. Then repeat the same procedure with the negative cable.

Step Eight

Put bracket and cover on. Tighten the bolt that holds the bracket. Ensure the battery is securely in place and then put the cover back on (if there is one).

Step Nine

Test your vehicle to make sure the battery is working. Turn the key to the on position and wait for 60 seconds. Then turn the car on to ensure that it starts. At this time, you can disconnect the memory saver or enter in any codes that are needed. 

Learn more about quality batteries, find your car part, or find where to buy your auto part today.

The content contained in this article is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be used in lieu of seeking professional advice from a certified technician or mechanic. We encourage you to consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have specific questions or concerns relating to any of the topics covered herein. Under no circumstances will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on any content.