Your vehicle’s battery is what starts it, runs all of the electrical components, and helps it run efficiently on the Woodway roads. However, your battery will need to be replaced eventually. Luckily, removing a car battery is a relatively simple process. Learn how to remove a car battery safely and efficiently with the service center at Douglass Nissan of Waco.

Before removing your battery, test it out to see if it’s fully charged. A fully charged battery will usually have 12.6 volts or higher. When the engine is turned on, this number usually bumps up to about 13.7-14.7 volts. Here’s how you can test your battery at home:

1. Start up your car and turn on the headlights.
2. If the lights are somewhat dim, then they might be running solely on your battery.
3. If you rev the engine and the lights get brighter, then this could mean that the alternator is providing some power but not enough to keep the battery charged.
4. If the lights are shining a normal level of brightness while revving the engine, then the battery is more than likely working.

You can also bring in your vehicle to our service center near McGregor for a battery test.

As mentioned previously, batteries hold a lot of voltage that can deliver a dangerous or even deadly shock. That’s why you’ll need to be sure to wear the proper protective gear like safety goggles and insulated gloves. To prepare for car battery removal, you’ll want to perform the following:

• Make sure your car is turned off.
• Acquire some zip ties or some other restraint so that you can keep the battery cables in the right spots as they can create a fire hazard if they touch.
• Once it’s removed, cover the cable end with a cloth so that it won’t touch other metal.
• Be sure to remove any jewelry before handling a battery.
• Be sure you’re in an area that’s well ventilated so that gases don’t get trapped in with you.

If you find that the battery terminal is fused, then you’ll need a certain kind of battery cable tool to remove it. Luckily, you can find this and any other parts you need from our parts store at Douglass Nissan of Waco near Hewitt.

Once you have everything ready, here’s how to remove a car battery:

1. Locate the negative battery terminal, which should have a black cover or a minus sign.
2. Hold the negative terminal still with a wrench or pliers.
3. Use another set of pliers or wrench to remove the nut, and then remove the negative cable. Be sure to keep it away from the battery.
4. Repeat the above process for the positive cable.
5. Sometimes, batteries can be held in by a bracket, which can be removed by unscrewing the bolts or screws that hold it in place.
6. Lift the battery out of the bracket, and keep in mind that it could weigh up to 40 pounds.

If you’re uncomfortable with removing the battery yourself, then schedule a service to our shop in Waco, and our technicians will remove the battery for you.

Now that you know how to remove a car battery, you can take the next steps to replace your battery safely and efficiently. Contact us to set up a service visit for all of your maintenance needs, and order parts you need for your DIY projects.