How to Remove a Car Battery

Your vehicle’s battery is what starts the car, keeps it running, and helps power the electrical components. This is why it’s essential to inspect your battery to ensure it’s working properly and to check for any signs of damage. If it’s time to replace the battery, the service team at Jaguar Los Angeles has your guide to removing a car battery. Keep in mind that it’s a simple task that you can do, but it needs to be done right to avoid any injuries. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our service center if you have questions.

Removing a Car Battery: The Preparation

Batteries hold enough charge to deliver a deadly shock, which is why you must wear insulated work gloves. Safety goggles are recommended to protect your eyes from corrosive agents. Before getting started, turn your vehicle offer to avoid producing a spark and igniting flammable agents.

You should also:

• Get zip ties or another form of restraint to keep the battery cables in their proper place. If they touch, it can create sparks and become a fire hazard. It’s important to prevent them from touching.
• Cover the positive cable end with a cloth once it is removed so there’s no metal-to-metal contact.
• Remove all of your jewelry — including necklaces, watches, and bracelets — to prevent getting a shock if they come in contact with the battery.
• Ensure you’re in a well-ventilated area to prevent exposure to harmful gases.

If the terminal is fused, you’ll need to use a special battery cable removal tool to get it loose. You can find these at our parts departmentin Los Angeles at Jaguar Los Angeles.

Removing Your Car Battery

When you have everything on hand, follow these steps to safely remove your battery:

• Find the negative terminal. It should have a black plastic cover or a minus sign and is located either on the post or nearby.
• Take hold of the bolt head of the negative terminal with a wrench or pliers and hold it still.
• Use other pliers or wrench to remove the nut, then pull off the negative cable and secure it away from the battery.
• Repeat the above step for the positive cable, make sure that the two battery cables do not touch
• If the battery is held by a securing bracket, use your pliers or wrench to take out the screws and bolts that hold it in place.
• Lift the battery straight out of the bracket. Keep in mind that it may weigh up to 40 pounds.

How Many Volts is a Car Battery?

Typically, a fully charged car battery should measure at 12.6 volts or higher. When the engine is running, it bumps up to 13.7 to 14.7 volts.

It’s important to test your battery and electrical system a couple of times a year when you bring in your car for service. You can also follow these steps if you would like to test your battery at home:

• Start your car and turn on your headlights
• If the lights are dim, they could be running on your battery.
• If the lights get brighter when you rev the engine, the alternator may be producing some current, but not enough when idle to keep the battery charged.
• If the lights have a normal level of brightness, even when you’re revving the engine, your battery is likely working normally.

Be sure to ask our service experts for a battery check during your next routine service appointment!

Get More Service Near Los Angeles

Avoid more breakdowns between Beverly Hills and Bel Air or failed starts in Pasadena, and learn how to remove a car battery. Contact us today for additional service advice or assistance, or you can schedule your service appointment if you would rather have a factory-trained technician handle the battery replacement.