How to Remove a Car Battery

Your car’s battery is responsible for starting the car, keeping it running, and powering the electrical components. However, there may be times when you need to remove it, to check for damage or when it will no longer charge. This isn’t a hard task to do at home in Dallas, but you need to approach this task with care to avoid getting hurt. Learn how to remove a car battery safely with the experts at Hiley Mazda of Hurst - DFW.

How to Prepare

Batteries contain enough electrical voltage to deliver a shock that could be deadly, so be sure to protect yourself with insulated work gloves. It’s also important to wear safety goggles so your eyes are protected from corrosive agents. Before you begin, turn your car off — running vehicles can produce sparks which could cause flammable agents to ignite.

Additional ways to prepare:

• Obtain zip ties or other restraints for immobilizing the battery cables. If they touch, it creates sparks which becomes a fire hazard, so make sure they do not touch.
• Cover the positive end of the cable with a cloth once it has been removed to avoid the risk of contact between metal pieces.
• Be sure to remove any jewelry — including necklaces, watches, and bracelets — to prevent giving yourself a shock if those pieces come in contact with the battery.
• Only perform this task in a well-ventilated area to prevent exposure to harmful gases.

If you’re dealing with a fused terminal, a special battery cable removal tool can loosen it. This tool can be found in our Hiley Mazda of Hurst - DFW parts department for your convenience! 

Removing Car Battery

Once your preparations are complete, follow these steps to safely remove your battery:

• Find the negative terminal, which is designated by a black plastic cover or a minus sign. It will be located either on or near the post.
• Grab the bolt head of the negative terminal with a wrench or pliers and keep it still.
• Use another wrench or set of pliers to remove the nut, then pull the negative cable off and keep it secured away from the battery.
• Repeat the same step above for the positive cable, ensuring that the two battery cables do not touch.
• If the battery is held by a securing bracket, use your wrench or pliers to take out the bolts and screws that keep it in place.
• Lift the battery straight out of the bracket. Keep in mind that it may weigh up to 40 pounds so take care when lifting.

How Many Volts is a Car Battery?

If you’re testing or removing your car battery, it may be good to know how many volts it contains. A fully charged car battery should usually measure at 12.6 volts or higher. When the engine is running, the voltage should increase to 13.7 to 14.7 volts.

It’s important to test your battery and electrical system around twice a year when you bring in your car for its routine service, but you may also want to test it at home. To do so, follow the steps below:

• Start your car and turn your headlights on
• If your headlights are dim, they may be running on your battery
• If the headlights get brighter when you rev the engine, the alternator may be producing a current, but not enough to keep your battery charged when the car is idle
• If the lights have a normal brightness level, even when you rev the engine, that’s a good indication that your battery is working as it should

Don’t hesitate to ask our service experts to check your battery the next time you bring in your car for its routine service near Fort Worth!

Learn More About Removing a Car Battery From Hiley Mazda of Hurst - DFW

Making sure your battery is in good shape will help you avoid failed starts and breakdowns around Hurst. Contact our service team for additional advice on how to remove a car battery — you can also schedule auto service with us if you’d prefer to leave this to our in-house experts. Be sure to check out our service specials to get some great savings!