Learn More About Batteries
Do-It-YourselfSTARTING AND CHARGING SYSTEM OVERVIEWBATTERIESSTARTERS AND ALTERNATORSJUMP-START AND BOOSTER PACKSCHARGERS AND TESTERSDO-IT-YOURSELFFIND BATTERIESRECYCLE TODAY - Find Out How at Pep Boys
Do-It-Yourself - What you need to know
Never open battery caps with your face directly over the battery. Use baking soda or an approved cleaning agent to neutralize any spilled acid.
  • Never smoke in battery charging areas.
  • Keep tools and other metallic objects away from uncovered batteries.
  • Do not strike the sides of the battery with any tool that could produce a spark.
  • Have a dry-chemical fire extinguisher in charging areas or readily available.
  • Neutralize static buildup before touching a battery by contacting the nearest grounded surface.
Always handle batteries in a well ventilated area.
  • Never touch both battery terminals with your bare hands at the same time.
  • Remove rings, watches and dangling jewelry when working with or near batteries.
  • Only use insulated/non-conducting tools to remove cell caps. Never lay tools or other metal parts on top of a battery.
  • Exposed terminals, even on disconnected batteries, are an electrical shock hazard.
  • Ensure charger is turned off before connecting or disconnecting a battery to prevent arcing.
Do-It-Yourself
Replacing your battery
Changing a car battery is something that most people will be able to do themselves. The hardest part is usually to lift it out of the car once it has been disconnected because it's weight. Keep track of your battery's life and replace it before it leaves you stranded. What You Need to Know
  • Ensure vehicle is turned off, emergency brake set, and in park
  • Take care not to spill battery acid on you, your clothing, or paint
  • Recycle your battery at your local Pep Boys
  • Make sure you're connecting the wires to the correct battery terminal
Step-By-Step Guides
Print Friendly VersionDo-It-YourselfReplacing Your Battery
Procedure
  1. With the engine off, pop the hood and find the battery. Detach the negative (black) battery cable from the battery. First loosen the nut with a combination wrench. A better tool to use would be battery pliers or a battery wrench.
  2. Twist and pull up on the end of the cable with your hand. If it does not come off easily you may want to purchase a battery terminal puller. This will help prevent damage to your battery or cables. It is not recommended to use a screwdriver as a pry-bar; this could break off your battery terminal or cause other damage.
  3. Detach the positive (red) battery cable from the battery using the same method.
  4. Using a combination wrench or a socket and ratchet, remove the battery hold-down clamp.
  5. Take the battery out of the battery tray. Batteries are heavy, so grab from the bottom using both hands. If the battery has a handle, use that instead.
  6. Use either a battery cleaning solution or the baking soda and water mixture to thoroughly clean any corrosion that may be left behind on your battery tray and hold down clamp from your old battery.
  7. Clean the battery cable connectors with a wire brush. To remove heavy corrosion from the connectors, use battery-cleaning solution.
  8. Place the new battery in the battery hold-down tray and secure the battery with the hold-down clamp.
  9. Spray both terminal ends with anti-corrosion solution.
  10. Attach and tighten the positive battery cable (Red).
  11. Attach and tighten the negative battery cable (Black).
  12. Ensure that all cable connections/ hold downs are properly tightened. Check the security of your battery by trying to move it back and forth. If you can move the battery cable terminals at all, your car may not start due to a weak electrical connection.
Schedule a Service Appointment
  • Installation of Battery
  • Battery Corrosion Protection Service
  • Starting & Charging System Diagnosis
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