How Long Does It Take To Change A Car Battery? [Explained]
Car batteries provide the required power to start a car. If there is any problem with starting the ignition, it’s time to change your car’s battery. Do you know how long does it take to change a car battery?
Changing the car battery will take less than 30 minutes. Remove the old battery by disconnecting its cables. Place the new battery on the battery tray and connect the cables. When detaching, remove the negative cable first, and when installing, connect the positive one.
There are no additional steps to change a car battery. Connecting cables to the terminals are all you need while installing a new car battery. Double-check the connection and perform a test run once the installation is done.
5 Steps To Change A Car Battery: A short and Easy Guide
If your car battery requires a change, don’t worry. Here is a step-by-step that can be followed by anyone.
Step 1: Prepare Yourself
The first step to changing a car battery is to find a suitable place. Find a leveled surface away from traffic and park the car. It’s better to use any garage or driveway.
A car battery contains sulphuric acid, which is very much toxic. To ensure proper safety, wear safety goggles and protective gloves. There can be acid on the battery, so protection will save you from any unwanted events.
Note down the alarm code of the car, as the clock, radio, and navigation system will reset once you disconnect the battery.
Step 2: Find The Old Battery
Before disconnecting the battery, remove the keys from the ignition to make sure there is no power going to the battery. Pop up the car hood and look for the battery.
The battery will have two cables attached to it. The newer models of cars wrap the battery with a plastic cover.
Step 3: Disconnect The Battery
Disconnecting the battery should be done carefully. You should first disconnect the negative terminal first and then the positive one. The positive terminal is red, and the negative is black. There will also be plus and minus signs on the battery.
Secure the cables with a cable tie to make sure they are not coming back and touching any other parts of the car. Ensure the positive and the negative terminal cables don’t touch each other. Remove the battery from the car.
Detailed guide to disconnect the battery: https://automotiveplanner.com/how-to-disconnect-car-battery/
Step 4: Get A New Battery
It’s time to install the new battery. Get the perfect battery by matching the information you found on the old battery. The new battery should be of the exact size and dimension with power. Otherwise, it will be tough to install it.
Now, clean the battery terminals with 100-grit sandpaper to clean corrosion. Place the battery in the battery tray and tighten the hold-down.
Apply grease to the terminals and connect the cables. In this step, connect the positive terminal first and then the negative one.
Step 5: Install It
Changing the battery is complete. Now close the hood and start your car. There will be no delay in getting a perfect start if you have installed the battery perfectly.
To learn the installation in detail, check this out: https://automotiveplanner.com/how-to-install-a-car-battery/
Sign Your Car Battery Needs A Battery Replacement
A standard car battery usually lasts for more than 5 years. Still, it’s recommended to change the battery if there is any issue with the battery. However, here are some signs that indicate it’s time to change your car battery.
1. Start Issue
A damaged battery will prevent the car from starting. You will face issues while starting the ignition of the car. The battery starts showing this effect once it gets weak.
2. Bad Smell
If the battery leaks fluids or gets damaged, it smells very bad. The smell is like rotten eggs sometimes. This happens when the battery leaks acid or gets damaged.
3. Dashboard Lights
A damaged battery can’t provide enough power to operate the dashboard. There will be problems with the dashboard controls and also with the headlights if the battery is not fine.
What To Do After Replacing The Car Battery
After installing a new car battery, you should not forget to do several things. Here are the top 3 things to look for once you replace the car battery.
Check The Battery’s Position
It’s important to recheck if the battery is installed perfectly in place before starting the car. Make sure it’s placed perfectly, and the bolts are tightened.
Any movement of the battery during the operation of the car can cause damage to the electrical components. Or, even cause a short circuit, which can be dangerous and lead to costly repairs.
Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that the battery is securely installed and properly positioned before driving.
Test Run
It’s recommended to perform a test run once you change the battery of a car. After installing a new battery, you should run the car for at least 10 to 15 minutes. This will help you to check if there is any problem with the connection and will also charge the battery.
Configure Clock, Radio & Navigation
You are required to reset the clock, radio, and navigation system now. To fix the alarm system, use the alarm code you stored before disconnecting the battery. The user manual of the car will help you configure these settings.
FAQs
How Long Should I Leave My Car On After Changing Battery?
New car batteries usually come with 40-70% charge. So, if your car starts after the replacement, it means it’s charged. Still, it’s recommended that you leave the car on for around 30 minutes once the battery is changed. This will allow the alternator to recharge the battery.
Also, 5 to 10 minutes of normal driving will get the battery in its normal phase and will help you to check if the charging system is functioning well or not.
Why Won’t My Car Start After Replacing The Battery?
Once you change the car battery, it will be ready to start. If the car doesn’t start, there can be multiple reasons for this issue. Check the connections again if the car is not starting after replacing the battery. The battery may not have any charge left and requires a charge first before starting the car.
Faulty spark plugs or fuel injector also prevents the car from starting after replacing the car battery. Check the parts again and try to restart the car.
Can A Car Battery Last 10 Years?
Though car batteries are designed to last up to 5 years, changing the battery every 3 to 4 years is recommended.
Car batteries are made with sulphuric acid. They last long if used with proper maintenance. If the battery is somehow overcharged or gets any defects, the performance starts draining.
So the electrical components won’t get the power they need, and you will need to replace the battery.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Car Battery?
The cost of replacing a car battery usually depends on the battery type. There are different types of batteries available for cars. The average cost you need to spend to replace a car battery is around $50 to $120.
The most common car batteries are normal lithium-ion batteries and absorbent glass mat batteries (AGM). Lithium-ion batteries usually cost 125$ to 135$, whereas AGM batteries will cost you around 200$.
Does A Car Perform Better With A New Battery?
Changing a car battery will definitely improve the performance of a car. The car battery provides the power for ignition. There will be better power to the electrical devices of the car, such as flashlights and radios.
The electrical components of the car will get the required power from the new battery. A good battery won’t spend too much power from the alternator. Hence, the electrical components will operate better with a new battery.
Final Thoughts
I guess now you know how long does it take to install a car battery and when you should change it. As a car owner, you should have an idea about these issues. Don’t drive with any faulty battery. Get a new one and install it by yourself, as it’s pretty easy to configure a new car battery.
Check the headlights, clock, radio & navigation once the installation is done. You will get a better experience with the car by installing a new battery. While purchasing a new one, make sure to cross-check the configuration with the old one.
References
Car batteries last 3 to 5 years | tips to get the most from your car battery. (n.d.). AAA. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/how-long-do-car-batteries-last
Martin, S. (n.d.). What do I do after replacing a car battery? Jerry. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://getjerry.com/questions/what-do-i-do-after-replacing-a-car-battery
Replaced Battery Car Won’t Start. (2022, February 23). Advance Auto Parts. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/advice/car-maintenance/replaced-battery-car-wont-start#
