Replacing a car battery is not a very difficult task. It requires only a few small hand tools and a little know-how to get the job done right. The average car battery installation only takes a few minutes and can help a car owner save a little bit of money as well.

The hand tools needed are very basic for battery installation. A wrench or two that are the proper size for the nuts on the clamps or side posts, a socket wrench for removing the hold down clamp, a terminal cleaning tool and a shop rag should be all that is necessary. Having a long extension for the socket wrench will greatly assist in reaching the clamp bolts if they are at the base of the battery as on some older cars.

When removing the old battery, be sure to disconnect the positive cable first, then the negative side. This will reduce the risk of accident or injury and the possibility of shorting out the cable. The battery is heavy, so care must be taken when lifting it out of the battery holder.

The next step is to remove the bolts or nuts that hold the battery in place. Many newer vehicles have these located right at the top of the battery but the older ones will be at the base on either side. Once the battery is loose from its clamp, it can be lifted out of the holder and put to the side for proper disposal.

The car battery installation is the exact reverse of the above procedure. Take the new battery and lower it in to the holder then reattach the battery cables, negative first then positive, being sure to clean the cable ends first. Then reinstall the clamp, making sure that is snug and not over tightened and the job is complete.