A Quick Guide on DIY Car Battery Replacement

 Auto service always seems like such a daunting undertaking. For many people the thought of doing an oil change by yourself is terrifying (and messy). Luckily, many modern cars are designed with the average driver in mind and are easily maintenanced with simple DIY techniques. In fact, quite a few Orlando Toyota models are great examples of this. Knowing how to do simple auto service is never a bad skill to have, especially because it can save you quite a bit of money. 

One easy and less messy auto service job that you can do yourself is changing out a car battery. This is an ideal starting point for any person looking to get some learning in and we, at Toyota of Orlando, have some tips to get you started!

Replacing Your Car Battery is Easier than you Think

While some auto services require specific machines and skills to accomplish, replacing an Orlando car battery is one task that requires little specific skills and a bit of know how. Here are few tips to get you started:

• While replacing a car battery in your Orlando Toyota car is simple, plenty of things can still go wrong if you're not careful. One of your first steps is to purchase a battery. Most vehicles have several options when it comes to shopping for a battery so you need to make sure you get the correct one. You can find the information you need for shopping in your owners' manual, by searching online, or asking a qualified auto parts specialist. 
• Before you dive in, it's also recommended you assess the condition of your current battery. Some batteries can build up excessive amounts of corrosion throughout their time in an engine compartment. This can make removing the clamps and replacing the battery difficult. If this situation sounds like yours, you might need to add an extra cleaning step in your DIY journey. 
• You should also take stock of the supplies you'll need to get the job done. For a car battery replacement you'll need: a socket wrench, gloves, petroleum jelly, a new battery, a dry and clean workspace, and protective eyewear. If you need to clean up some corrosion, plan to also bring a baking soda and water solution along with an old toothbrush or wire brush. 

With that prep work out of the way, it's time to get down to it! Find a clean and dry workspace for your Orlando Toyota car and pop open the hood to get started. Here's what to do next:

• Your first step is to remove the clamps on the battery terminals using your socket wrench. This part is crucial and must be done in a specific order. **Remove the NEGATIVE (Black, -) cable BEFORE removing the POSITIVE (Red, +) one!** 
• Loosen the cables, remove them from the terminals, and set aside for later. 
• Remove the old Orlando car battery from its housing and set aside. 
• Put the new battery in the housing and apply petroleum jelly to the new battery's terminals. This might sound weird, but petroleum jelly actually acts as a great conductor and corrosion preventative for your new battery. 
• Now, begin to replace the clamps. Again, order is key here. **Start with the POSITIVE (Red, +) terminal first and then the NEGATIVE (Black, -). This is a reverse process of what you did before!**
• Tighten the clamps back onto the battery and close your car's hood. Then head to the driver's seat and start the car. If it starts up then you did it! 

Need some help on this DIY project? Visit Toyota of Orlando at 3575 Vineland Road today!