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and then both positive cables.

Remove any covers over the battery and find the hold-downs. These may be straps over the battery or wedges on the bottom edge of the battery. The hold-downs keep the battery in place when you're driving and are an essential safety component. They are usually removed by loosening two bolts with an appropriate socket wrench. You might need an extension for this if your vehicle uses wedges, as they're usually a bit down beside the battery. Whether wedges or straps you usually don't need to completely remove the bolts. Loosening the bolts will allow the wedges to rise out of the way or straps can be removed when the bolts are loose enough by slipping hooks free from the side of the battery.

When all of the covers are out of the way, the battery cables are disconnected and the hold-downs are loose, you can lift out the old battery. Since there's a lot of lead in there be careful, car batteries are quite heavy. Most batteries are sealed but you should still try to keep the batteries upright whenever you handle them to avoid spillage of the acid inside the battery. Carefully set the old battery aside and put the new one in its place.

Reinstallation is the reverse of removal. Replace and tighten the hold-downs and reconnect the positive cables. Don't reconnect the negative cables until you absolutely have to. Make sure all of the covers you removed are securely in place and start your car.

It's as easy as that. Once you return your old battery to the store for your disposal deposit, you're all done. Since you shouldn't need to replace your batteries more than once every few years we'll hope that you don't forget how you did this the next time your car has trouble starting.

Learn more about this author, Keith Hamburger.
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