Understanding how to remove a car battery safely is an essential skill for diligent car owners. At some point though the lifespan of a car, the battery will need to be changed.
Therefore, as a car owner, it is critical that you can safely complete the removal process efficiently, smoothly, and safely. Consequently, we will provide detailed steps on how to disconnect a Car battery.
Why Do Cars Have Batteries
Modern vehicles have become increasingly saturated with continually advanced technology as standard. They have complex sensors and safety systems to prevent accidents and complex onboard display systems that perform voice-activated demands.
Some vehicle even incorporates onboard entertainment system for passengers. Ultimately, all of these electrical components are dependent on an onboard battery. Interestingly, however, even without all the innovative technology, batteries are still essential for cars to operate.
Typical cars today have utilized an onboard battery for the last 100 years. They are dependent on what is known as internal combustion engines.
A combustion engine creates lots of tiny controlled explosions to generate mechanical energy. Gasoline vehicles are the most common. They work by pushing a small amount of fuel into an engine chamber.
This gasoline is compressed up again by a spark plug which creates a tiny spark that will ignite the fuel creating a tiny explosion that will push the compressed prison, creating the necessary kinetic energy to drive the vehicle.
Diesel engines work in a similar fashion. However, they do not use a spark but pressure to ignite the fuel.
However, they are still entirely reliant on the car battery to function. The process of running a diesel engine requires initial momentum. The battery is used to power a starter motor that will engage the engine cycle to create pressure to begin the continuous process.
Moreover, cars are increasingly reliant on the onboard management system to function. This system relies on the 12V onboard battery to power it and allow the vehicle to function.
Ultimately, the onboard battery is a critical component for every car’s interface and mechanical operation.
How Do They Charge
Cars utilize some of the last century’s most advanced and clever engineering. They are self-contained system that is remarkable at operating various components.
They cleverly use the movement created by the engine to power all the situation elements of the vehicle. For example, they power the hydraulic mechanism used for steering and braking and the cooling system required to regulate the engine temperature.
More significantly, when the engine is on, it spins alternators. This innovative device generates an electrical current when it is spun.
This current is passed to the onboard battery allowing it to charge continually. Doing so ensures that the onboard battery is at full charge after every drive. This will hold enough charge to initiate the engine cycle at any point.
Why Do Batteries Need Disconnected
Although Cars are robust and well-designed to last for decades, they require regular maintenance. As part of routine inspection, many components will be replaced regularly during a lifetime.
This includes elements within the suspension system, wheels, tires, filters, fluids, etc. A battery is one of the key perishable components of a vehicle. In the lifespan of a car, it will have to have its battery replaced several times.
Generally speaking, they last for 3-5 years during regular use. Therefore, it is essential to understand how to disconnect them safely.
Due to the level of use experienced by most vehicles, they will inevitably have components fail on them during a lifetime. As cars have been cramped with more electrical components, they are a key part of the maintenance process.
Often these parts will fail and have to be repaired or replaced. As part of the complete and safest process of dealing with a car’s electrical components, it is critical to disconnect the battery from the internal circuit.
A car battery is typically 12 volts, which is low enough to not cause harm to those shocked by it. However, it is always important to remember that even a tiny spark can ignite the many flammable fluids used within a vehicle.
Moreover, these delicate electrical components can easily be permanently damaged by volatile voltage readings and arc jumps. Therefore, the onboard battery must be disconnected to ensure the repair job does not become far more expensive and complicated.
How to Safely Disconnect a Battery
Safety is a crucial consideration when disconnecting a battery. Both the protection of the technician and the vehicle’s components are key. Therefore, these comprehensive steps should be followed accurately to ensure the best possible success.
Step 1
Firstly, it is imperative that the vehicle is off and the keys are not in the ignition. The ignition key is what completes the internal car circuit. Therefore it must be totally removed from the ignition.
Ensuring the car is entirely off will guarantee that an electrical shock will not be experienced when dealing with the battery.
Step 2
It is time to locate the battery. The car will usually contain the battery in a secure engine bay compartment.
Alternatively, they are sometimes placed underneath the divers seat. In either case, the following disconnection process is the same. If you need more clarification, it is best to consult the owner’s manual.
This will detail exactly where to find the battery in your particular car model.
If the car has been driven recently, waiting around 20-30 minutes for the engine compartment to cool is a good idea. However, these vehicle sections will get remarkably hot even after a short drive, so it is worth being cautious.
Step 3
Once you have located and uncovered the battery, it is essential to notice the key elements of the contraption. Firstly, it will have two terminals at either end.
Small plastic caps sometimes cover them to protect them from the elements. These terminals will have a (-) negative and a (+) positive symbol next to them. This will demonstrate the orientation of the battery.
Each terminal will have its own clamp, which attaches a metal hook at the end of a thick cable to the terminal. Inspect these hooks and identify the wrench size required to manipulate the tightness.
Moreover, it is crucial to identify any bracket used to hold the battery in place. These are often simple metal strips tightened in place by two bolts to ensure that the battery is not exposed to excessive vibrations.
Step 4
It is now time to tackle the initial removal process. Before you begin, you can use gloves and eye protection if it would make you feel more comfortable. However, as previously mentioned, 12V batteries are unlikely to shock you, and if they do, they will be very mild.
However, it is essential to understand that you can only be shocked if you complete the circuit. Effectively, this means touching both the positive and negative terminals simultaneously. Therefore, it is important to avoid this as best as you can.
Take your wrench and loosen the fastening bolt on the negative terminal first. This is standard practice when dealing with batteries. Typically, fewer cables are attached to the negative terminal, making removing it easier.
Once loosened, remove the cable into a safe and secure position away from the battery and, specifically, the positive terminal. Repeat this process on the positive terminal, and you will have an entirely disconnected battery.
Step 5
The final stage is to remove the securing bracket if the battery has one. This should be left until last to ensure the battery is secure during the technical removal process. Then, remove the bracket and ensure it is out of the way.
At this point, you will pick up the battery to remove it from the vehicle. Often these batteries will have a carrying handle, specifically to make carrying them more manageable and safer.
It is imperative to understand that car batteries are extremely heavy. They can weigh up to 30lb which is substantial considering the skyward angle they must be lifted in.
Remove the battery slowly and carefully. Be mindful not to drop it over the car as it will easily damage the engine components or the bodywork.
Ultimately, following these steps accurately will equip you with the greatest chance of successfully removing the car battery. However, although each step is relatively simple, it can be an awkward process that needs some forethought.
Ask your local garage if you feel uncomfortable doing it. They will often perform the battery removal for free.
Ultimately, removing the car battery is a reasonably simple task that requires some essential knowledge to complete safely. Reviewing the article above will provide you with the essential knowledge to appreciate the key role of the battery in your car and the many reasons they may need to be disconnected.