Replacing your own car battery may look challenging, but it can also be fun. If this is the first time you are replacing your own car battery just know it can be done. Let’s get started. (get it… started?)

When you replace your car battery yourself, you will need some tools. Here are the tools that we suggest you have (at minimum).

This is a socket set that would be ideal for replacing your car battery.

• Socket Set (8mm, 10mm, and 13mm)

• Socket Extension (6in - 12in)

• Battery Terminal Brush (If corrosion is visible)

• Battery Terminal Cleaner (if corrosion is visible)

First, locate where your car battery is. Most cars have the battery under the hood, but some have the car battery in other places. If the car battery is not under the hood, the next place to check is the trunk. If it is not in the trunk, it can be under the driver/passenger seat.

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With the engine off, open the hood and find the battery. The hood latch will be on the driver side of the dash. Detach the negative (black) battery cable from the battery. First, you will want to loosen the nut on the battery terminals. Most battery terminals use a number 10mm socket size. Some will use an 8mm or 13mm.

If your car battery has corrosion, you may want to spray battery cleaner or use vinegar before trying to remove the cable.

Twist and pull up on the end of the cable with your hand. If it does not come off quickly, you may want to purchase a battery terminal puller. Should you not have a battery puller, you may use an item that is plastic to pry the terminal up. Try pulling up and twisting the cable while prying all at the same time.

Detach the positive (the red cable) battery cable from the battery using the same method.

Using a wrench or a socket and ratchet, remove the battery hold-down clamp.

Remove the battery from the battery tray. Batteries can be heavy. Most batteries range from 20 pounds to 50 pounds. Use both hands and take your time. If the battery is located in a tight area, you may want to use a battery pickup device. These grab the edges of the battery and allow easy pick-up.

Clean the battery cable connectors with a wire brush. To remove heavy corrosion from the connectors, use battery-cleaning solution. If you do not have battery-cleaning solution use vinegar. Do not use coke (it makes a huge mess).

Place the new battery in the battery hold-down tray and secure the battery with the battery hold-down.

Spray both terminal ends with anti-corrosion solution. If you do not have some anti-corrosion you may add some petroleum jelly.

Attach and tighten the positive battery cable (The RED one).

Attach and tighten the negative battery cable (The Black one).

Ensure that all cable connections are tight. If the connections are not tight, your car may not start at all. The vibration of not being tightened down will also cause damage to the battery over time.

This is a 2019 Ford F-250 SuperDuty Diesel Truck that has two truck batteries.

Why Do I Have To Buy Two Batteries For My Diesel Pickup Truck?

The answer is simply cranking amps. There are tons of related articles on the internet that will go into extreme details on why you need so many amps. When you turn the key in a diesel truck you need sometimes twice the compression to start your huge Diesel engine. This is the same for any diesel truck whether it is a Ford, Dodge, GMC, or Chevy.

My Experience With Diesel Pickup Truck Batteries (Don’t Make The Mistakes I Did - They Can Cost You)

When I purchased my first diesel truck which was a 2008 Ford F-250 6.4 Diesel I learned a few things - fast. About a few weeks after driving off the lot the batteries went out. My first mistake was letting the dealership put two of their cheap batteries in the truck under “warranty”. It was just a little under a year that the batteries went out, and took the alternator with it (in smoke). If you do not know by now, a cheap battery can take an alternator out quickly.

If I would have invested the money in the first place for a higher end battery, I would have saved myself the trouble of buying more batteries and not have had to replace the alternator.

I ended up buying two AGM batteries for my truck. Why AGM batteries? They deliver in dependability and cold cranking amps. Since investing in some quality batteries, I have not encountered any additional battery issues. When I have customers ask me about replacing diesel pickup truck batteries I highly suggest an AGM battery. It may be more expensive, but it pays off in the end.

Invest In AGM Batteries for Your Diesel Pickup Truck

The AGM batteries we sell average about 50 - 60 pounds and will be dependable for years to come. The weight of an AGM battery is roughly 30 - 40 % heavier than that of a conventional lead acid battery. When it comes to well maintaining your diesel pickup truck this will keep you on the road for several years. Simply, if you can afford AGM batteries - do it.

Always Replace Both Diesel Truck Batteries at the Same Time

Batteries in a diesel truck usually require replacement at the same time. When one battery begins to fail this causes more stress on the other battery In most cases you will not know there is a problem until both batteries have already failed. We have had customers who have replaced only one battery to have to replace both again in a few months. Do it right the first time.

Can I Put Conventional Lead Acid Batteries in My Diesel Pickup Truck?

The answer to this question is it depends. Most manufacturers put cheap conventional lead-acid batteries in diesel pickup trucks to keep the cost down. That battery will allow you to get off the lot (in most cases) and down the road for a little while. In most cases, yes you can put a conventional lead acid battery in a pickup truck. Before you do so - check with the manufacturer to see their recommendations.

This is kind of a trick question. Car batteries are not serviceable as they were many (many) years ago. My father use to pull the caps off the battery in the car and fill it with distilled water. Batteries these days dont require maintenance.

Batteries Should Be Tested Twice a Year

Yep. Ask this question in the auto profession and your sure to get quite a few answers. Why did I suggest twice a year? Well batteries usually start to fail when the weather starts changing from hot to cold or cold to hot.

A simple test from a mechanic (which are free in most cases) will indicate how much life your car battery has. We start asking people to consider replacing thier car battery at about 60% of battery life remaining.

If you need your car battery tested reach out to us to schedule an appointment.

The question if a service station can charge a car battery is a good one. Let’s define what a battery “charge” is. A “charge” is providing voltage to charge the cells of the battery. This all depends on the state of car battery cells.

How Long Does a Car Battery Charge Take?

This is where we start to learn the essentials of charging a battery. Although there are different battery chargers that provide different amps the least amount of time is at least a few hours to a full 24 hours.

Can My Service Shop Charge My Battery?

It is my opinion that anyone can charge a battery with the right equipment. Where we start questining the ability is what equipment the shop is using and how long they are leaving the battery on the charger. If the shop leaves the battery on the charger 10-15 minutes I would doubt that the charge even had any effect on the battery.

Buy a Charger and Charge Your Own Battery

We stock only the best automotive battery chargers that you can order online. It would make sense to have your own charger and charge your own battery. Then you will be able to have higher confidence in the state of charge and be prepared should you need a jump start at sometime.

If you need a quality battery charger, please visit our battery accessory page.

Needing a car battery delivered and installed is not as weird as you may think. The Mobile Battery Squad is a car battery delivery and installation service. Our technicnas deliver and install car batteries in most make and model cars, trucks, and RV.

Can I Get a Service To Change My Car Battery?

Yes, that is definately possible. The Mobile Battery Squad is equiped with top of the line battery testing equipment, lead-acid batteries, AGM batteries, and lithium batteries. In addition to the best batteries in nation we also stock and sell a full line of battery chemicals, battery accessories, and battery chargers.

How Much is Car Battery Service

Great question. Pricing ranges from $289 to $499 for a new battery, delivery, and installation. Our pricing may not be the cheapest but we are worth it. Think about convience and a battery backed by our solid warranty. You will not find another company that is local and will take as good care of you.

If you are ready to have your car battery replaced book your appointment online today or give us a phone call.