How to Install a Car Battery

Do It Yourself

If you’re a Virginia Beach driver in need of a battery replacement and are looking to do it yourself, we at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Norfolk are here to help! There are several steps involved in installing a new car battery safely. Before you begin, check that you have all the necessary tools and parts, including:

• A new battery
• Pliers
• Wrenches
• Thick rubber gloves (to protect your hands during installation)
• A wire brush
• Anti-corrosion spray
• Battery cleaning solution

Once you’ve gathered your tools and ordered all the necessary parts from our part center, continue to the step-by-step guide below.

Installing a New Car Battery: A Step-by-Step Guide

First, park your car somewhere with plenty of space for you to work. Make sure the parking brake is activated and that the engine is turned off. Open the hood and locate the battery. 

Important note before you begin: Battery acid is highly corrosive and can cause chemical burns. Move the batteries carefully to avoid spilling and wear thick rubber gloves to protect yourself from any accidental spills.

When you’re ready to start, do the following:

1. With a wrench or pliers made for car batteries, loosen the nut that secures the black cable (negative cable) to the battery. 
2. Once the nut is loose, twist and pull the black cable off the battery. If the nut won’t loosen, don’t attempt to loosen it with another tool. Instead, try to loosen it more with the wrench or penetrating oil.
3. Use the same steps to remove the red cable (positive cable) from the battery.
4. The battery will be stuck in place from the battery hold-down clamp. Loosen and remove the clamp to gain access to the battery.
5. The battery is ready to be pulled out. It will be heavy so remove the battery carefully with both hands. 
6. Clean the battery tray and hold-down clamp with a battery cleaning product or a baking soda and water mixture. This should get rid of corrosion that may have built up over the last battery’s life.
7. Use a wire brush and cleaning solution to clean off the battery cable connectors. 
8. Clean the battery cable connectors using a cleaning solution and a wire brush.
9. Grab the new battery and insert it into the battery tray. Fix it in place by tightening the hold-down clamp.
10. To protect your new battery and lengthen its life, spray anti-corrosion solution on the positive and negative terminals before connecting the cables.
11. Attach the red cable, then the black cable to the new battery terminals.
12. Confirm all connections are secure and try to move the battery. If the battery is installed correctly, it will not move.
13. Turn on the engine. If the engine starts right away, the battery has been installed correctly!

How Long Does it Take to Install a Car Battery? 

While it depends on the car, the old battery’s level of corrosion, and your experience, the steps provided can generally be done in about 30 to 60 minutes. If you find yourself stuck on a step, feel free to schedule a service appointment with us. Our technicians are only a short drive away from Chesapeake and are ready to help!

Schedule Battery Replacement With Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Norfolk

Save yourself an afternoon of DIY repairs and drop off your car at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Norfolk in Norfolk instead! Our trained technicians will have your battery replaced in no time and you can go back to enjoying your day in Suffolk. Keep an eye out for our service and part specials and contact us for all your battery or maintenance needs!