Car Battery Fitting FAQs

Changing a battery can be a daunting task, however, it’s not always as hard as it seems. In this article, we will go through some of the frequently asked questions surrounding the changing of car batteries.

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Which battery terminal should be disconnected first?

When removing a battery from a vehicle, the negative battery terminal should always be removed first. This is to ensure yours and the batteries safety. If the positive terminal is removed first, this puts you at risk of potentially shorting the battery and maybe even shocking yourself.

Which battery terminal should be reconnected first?

This one is fairly easy if you’ve already been through the previous question, the positive terminal should be reconnected first. This again is to prevent the risk of shorting the battery or causing harm to yourself.

Can I use a regular battery if my car has Stop-Start?

Using a regular lead-acid battery on a car that requires an EFB or an AGM battery can result in the life of the battery being cut short, this is because the stop-start technology requires the upgraded battery in order to function while still being able to start the car.

How often does a car battery need to be changed?

There isn’t really an answer to this question other than ‘when the battery fails’. However, car batteries on average last anywhere between 3 and 5 years but are able to last even longer, for more information on this topic, head over to our article: How long do Car Batteries last?

Are all car batteries fitted the same?

All car batteries are not fitted the same way, they are all connected the same way, however, some can be more complexed than others. In some instances, certain things may need to be disconnected first before removing the battery to avoid causing electrical faults. Some vehicles also require certain things to be removed to actually get to the battery itself.

Does my car need to be re-programmed after changing the battery?

With some vehicles, the car may need to be re-programmed after a new battery has been fitted, this usually tends to be the case with vehicles that come equipped with stop-start technology. These vehicles often need to essentially be told that the battery has been replaced.

Hopefully, these pointers help with any battery fitting you may be doing in the near future, however, if you are still unsure, we recommend getting the work carried out by a professional. For any battery-related queries or questions you may have, our helpful team of battery experts are on hand to help, you can contact us here.

And if you're in need of a new battery for your car, you can find our full range of car batteries here.