Replacing the battery yourself, safely

A battery change seems simple: two bolts and done. In practice the wrong disconnection order, a short circuit with a spanner or a skipped registration can cause trouble. Here’s how to do it safely.

The order matters

1. Switch off the ignition and all loads
2. Disconnect the negative terminal (–) first, then the positive (+)
3. Remove the old battery, minding its weight
4. Fit the new one and connect the positive (+) first, then the negative (–)
5. Tighten the terminals and secure the battery in its clamp

The most common mistakes

• Reversing the terminal order and shorting a tool against the body
• The wrong battery type (flooded instead of AGM in start-stop)
• No registration of the new battery in cars that require it
• Skipping the memory saver — losing settings

In start-stop cars there’s also registering the new battery, and when disconnecting it’s worth using a memory saver so you don’t reset the settings.

When disconnecting start with the negative, when connecting start with the positive — that one rule guards against the most dangerous short circuit.

When it’s better to have it done

If the battery is heavy, hard to reach or the car needs registration, it’s more convenient and safer to have the change done. We’ll come, select the right battery and replace it while keeping your settings.