Instructions on Checking Steps & How to Replace Car Battery at Home

Car batteries are known as a tool to help store electricity so that devices such as radios, air conditioners, and lighting systems operate when the engine has not started. The most important role of the battery is to provide power to the starter and ignition system to help the engine start. Instructions on Checking Steps & How to Replace Car Battery at Home.

How long does a regular car battery last?

Not everyone who drives a car knows how long a car battery lasts. In fact, this lifespan is influenced by many other factors, so it is often only an estimate. Normally, a battery system that operates normally and is regularly maintained on time will have a lifespan of about 4 years corresponding to 100,000 km of travel.

However, if you use the vehicle with a high frequency, use it in many bad terrain areas or do not perform regular maintenance, the battery life will be significantly reduced, usually only 2 – 2.5 years. will end its useful life.

When do you need to replace your car battery?

The battery needs to be thoroughly checked before intending to replace it. Because there can be many problems that are not caused by the battery, making mistakes in replacement can be costly in both time and money.

The most basic error on the battery is when the battery runs out of power. You can recognize a weak car battery through the following basic signs:

• The battery warning light is on: When the warning light on the car’s dashboard is on, it means the battery is having problems. The light usually has two positive and negative symbols. At this time, you should take the car to the garage to have it checked immediately.
• The car starts weakly and is difficult to start: When the battery fails or runs out of power, the car will show signs of starting erratically, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, or in many cases the car will even shut down in the middle of the road. At this time, it is possible that the cables connecting the positive and negative poles are loose or covered in too much dust. Normally, the car will be most difficult to start in the morning because the engine is completely cool at this time. Therefore, this is the time to make the clearest assessment about batteries.
• The engine does not rotate, the car dashboard does not light up: When turning the key to start mode, the car’s functions show no signs of operation, the low beam and headlights do not light up, indicating that the battery is completely damaged.

Here are some ways to check if the car battery needs to be replaced:

• The liquid level in the battery is low due to evaporation during use.
• The battery pack is swollen, mainly due to the engine temperature being too high or the positive and negative connecting cables being loose or corroded, causing voltage leakage. This is an extremely dangerous situation, with a very high risk of fire and explosion, so it needs to be replaced promptly.
• When opening the hood and discovering broken pieces on the battery or signs of cracking, it means that the battery must be replaced.
• In case no debris is detected, start checking the battery terminals. The electrical connector is too old and has new cracks that need to be replaced.
• Use a hammer or hard object to gently tap on the electrodes. If you find rusty pieces falling, it means the battery is damaged due to the sulfate solution rusting the electrodes. If there is no rust falling off when typing, drivers can use a mixture of water and sodium carbonate to clean the rust stains so the battery can function as normal again.
• Along with that, car owners also need to check around the battery terminal to see if there are signs of green or white powder appearing. This is sulfate residue and also needs to be cleaned and removed to ensure the battery operates smoothly. Remember to wear gloves when cleaning around the battery to avoid irritation with chemicals.
• Check the equipped generator if it has a battery indicator. With the engines operating the generator, a well-functioning battery system will maintain a level of 13.8 – 14.2V. When the engine is off and the vehicle does not have any other electrical functions, the battery should have 12.4 – 12.8V.

If you are not really sure or do not have much experience in testing batteries, go to a garage or maintenance center to have the most detailed and accurate inspection by skilled workers.

See more: How to Install Car Accessories at Home Quickly – Simply

Is it difficult to replace a car battery at home? How to do it correctly

In fact, many experienced drivers often change their car batteries at home. However, it should only be applied when you really understand the engine. You can proceed with the following steps:

Remove the old battery:

• Make sure to keep a safe distance from traffic and make sure there are no fires, cigarette butts or any other objects that can create a fire when replacing the battery. Establishing a safe environment is the first prerequisite.
• Wear gloves and goggles before removing the old battery because chemicals can affect your health.
• Open the hood and use the strut to keep the hood from falling down.
• Determine the exact location of the old battery system. Normally the battery is placed on one of the two sides of the vehicle frame, the battery is rectangular and has 2 connection terminals on top.
• After determining the battery position, the next step is to check the position of the negative (-) and positive (+) poles using the symbols. Normally the positive pole is connected to the red clamp and the negative pole is connected to the black clamp.
• IMPORTANT : Remove the negative pole first because removing the positive pole will cause an extremely dangerous short circuit. After removing the negative pole, it will be time to remove the positive pole.
• After ensuring there are no wires or parts holding the battery to the car, gently pry the battery out of the car to replace it.

How to replace a new car battery:

• Clean the connection posts and battery tray with a brush and specialized solutions, wait for the tray to dry completely before proceeding to the next steps.
• Place the new battery in the car, paying attention to placing it in the right position and direction as when removing the old battery. Close all connections to keep the battery fixed and not move.
• Connect the positive pole first, then the negative pole. This step is the opposite of the procedure when removing the old battery. This is an important step so you need to pay close attention.
• After connecting the terminals, tighten the screws tightly, then spray anti-corrosion solution on the battery terminals to keep the battery as durable as possible.
• Close the hood and start the car to check, make sure everything is completely stable.

Disposing of old batteries: After removing the old battery, absolutely do not throw it in the trash, but take it to battery collection and disposal points. Batteries contain a lot of liquids that are harmful to human health, so if thrown around in the environment, it will be very dangerous.

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Note when choosing a battery for a car

Surely when you intend to replace the battery for your car, you will also need to know the necessary criteria to choose the most suitable and accurate battery for your car. The following information will be extremely necessary for those who are looking to buy car batteries:

• Check battery capacity: This capacity is measured in Ah units. Through the capacity, you will know the exact level of energy storage of the battery. Each car model will use a different electrical system, so the battery should also be chosen appropriately. If the car uses a 12V voltage and chooses a 24V battery, it will definitely damage the system.
• Note on car battery parameters “Starting current”: That is the maximum current intensity that the battery can provide for 30 seconds at 0 degrees Celsius temperature conditions. Starting current This must provide enough power to start the engine. That’s why drivers who buy batteries themselves should pay special attention.
• Battery size: You should check the old battery before buying a new battery to make sure you don’t buy one that is too small or too large and does not fit in the tray.

Finally, choose a reputable supplier because this is an extremely important part for a vehicle. Choose a reputable supplier to ensure the quality and longevity of the battery as well as ensure safety when used.

Above are detailed instructions on how to check and replace car batteries at home that drivers can apply. If you cannot replace it yourself, you should still go to the garage for assistance. The most important thing is to regularly maintain your car on time. This will help you know the condition of your car battery and when it needs to be replaced.

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