Content

• To step
• Tips
• Necessities

Car batteries can store a significant amount of energy and are built to deliver an instant electrical charge. You have to be extra careful if you have to start a car with assistance or work on the electronics. If you need to disconnect a battery, follow the description below.

To step

1. Find the negative terminal of the battery. It usually has a black cover and / or there is a minus sign next to it. The positive pole has a red cap or a plus sign.
2. In the same way, disconnect the cable from the positive terminal. After disconnecting this cable, make sure that it does not come into contact with the metal of the car. There is residual current in the cable that could disrupt or damage the car's electronic systems if it comes into contact with metal parts of the car.
3. Continue with your work. Now that you have disconnected the battery, you can safely work on your car's electronics. If you just need to put a new battery in the car, you can do it in a few simple steps.
   • After you have disconnected the battery, unscrew the brackets that hold it in place.
   • Lift the battery straight up from its holder. Keep in mind that batteries can weigh up to 20 kilos.
   • Clean the retainer and contacts with an old toothbrush and a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and water. Let everything dry thoroughly before mounting the new battery.
   • Place the battery in place and secure the brackets.
   • Connect the cable from the positive terminal first and then the negative. And don't forget to secure them with the nuts.
   • Close the hood and start the car.
   • Dispose of old batteries responsibly. Ask the store where you bought the new battery if you can return the old one to them. If not, check with a car repair shop or local waste disposal service.

Tips

• Batteries in hybrid cars provide more than 300 volts of power, which can be fatal. If you have to work on the electronics of a hybrid car, disconnect the high-voltage battery in the back of the car first. The wiring is usually color-coded orange. To reduce the risk of shock, use insulated tools and gloves when working on this.
• Standard car batteries can supply a few hundred amps of current, as much as a welding machine. Do not test the charge of your battery by connecting the positive and negative terminals with a metal object. The charge is so great that both the metal object and you can be damaged.
• Use a zip tie to secure the cables so that they cannot touch the battery and cause sparks or electrocution.
• Take off all your jewelry especially rings, bracelets and necklaces.
• Work outdoors, where gases cannot linger.
• Wear protective goggles and insulating work gloves.

Necessities

• Socket wrenches
• Socket wrench extension
• Goggles
• Insulating work gloves
• Old toothbrush
• Small pan
• Sodium bicarbonate
• Water
• Zip ties