Battery FAQs

If you ask multiple drivers about average vehicle battery life, you’re likely to get different answers. Some drivers may suggest waiting five or six years to change a car battery. Others may suggest waiting as little as one to two years. In general, scheduling a battery change every three to four years is a good way to avoid issues. 

Car battery replacement is a crucial part of routine vehicle maintenance. Just like oil changes,tire service, andbrake service, making sure your battery is regularly inspected helps ensure your vehicle won’t leave you stranded on Weatherford roads. Even if you believe your battery is working properly, there are a lot of factors that can negatively affect your vehicle’s battery life. 

Factors That Can Shorten Battery Life 

Depending on where you live, time, and driving habits, car battery life can shorten; resulting in the need for a car battery change before three or four years: 

• Driving Habits: If you don’t drive much, and tend to leave your vehicle sitting for long periods of time, you could be weakening your car’s battery. During your commute, try taking the longer scenic route, so your car’s battery has more time to charge. Also, make sure you don’t leave the power on when the ignition is off. Leaving an interior light on overnight can easily drain the battery. 
• Climate & Location: Driving in a hot climate year-round will weaken your battery more than if you drive in a cooler climate. 

What Are the Signs Your Car Battery is Low? 

Knowing the signs of a failing car battery is important to help you recognize when there’s a problem. Here are the signs to look for: 

• The engine is slow to start 
• Car lights are dim
• Check engine light is on 
• Electric issues (cell phone charger, heated seats, etc. aren’t working) 
• Connectors for the battery are corroded 
• The battery case looks warped or misshapen 

The age of your battery is the most obvious sign that it’s nearing the end of its life. If your car battery is approaching three years old, you’ll want to visit us for a battery load test to make sure it’s still working properly. 

When it’s time to remove the battery from your car, there is a set of steps you should follow to ensure your safety during the process. For starters, you should never touch a car battery terminal without insulated work gloves on. It’s also a good idea to wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from corrosive battery agents. You should also always turn off your car before attempting to remove the battery as the largest risk posed by a car battery is explosion.

Keeping all of the above still in mind, it’s also a good idea to do the following:

• Keep the battery cables in their proper place with zip ties. If they touch, it can create deadly explosion-inducing sparks.
• Cover the positive battery cable end with a cloth once it is removed to avoid the risk of metal-to-metal contact.
• Take off any jewelry or metal — including necklaces, watches, and bracelets — to prevent getting electrocuted.
• Stay in a well-ventilated area to protect yourself from outgassing from the flammable and dangerous liquid compounds used in your car battery.

Here’s How to Remove a Car Battery Step-By-Step

Once you’ve properly prepared yourself for removing a car battery, follow these steps to safely remove your battery:

1. Find the negative battery terminal. It should have a black plastic cover and/or a minus sign.
2. Locate the bolt head of the negative terminal and, with a wrench or pliers, hold it steady.
3. Use another set of pliers or a wrench to remove the nut.
4. Pull off the negative cable and place it safely away from the battery.
5. Repeat the above steps for the positive cable, being careful to ensure that the two battery cables do not touch!
6. If the battery is held by a securing bracket, use your pliers or wrench to take out the screws and bolts that hold it in place.
7. Lift the battery straight out of the bracket. Remember, it may be heavy.

If the above procedure seems too time-consuming or dangerous to attempt on your own, our Nissan service department is more than happy to remove your battery for you and replace it with the correct choice, quickly and safely!

For many car owners in Weatherford and the surrounding areas, learning how to install a car battery can be a daunting task. At Granbury Nissan, we aim to make this process simpler for you with a step-by-step guide. 

Understanding How to Install a Car Battery

Understanding how to install a car battery is an invaluable skill for every car owner. Here are the detailed steps for you to follow:

1. Park your car on a flat, stable surface and switch off the engine. Open the hood to reveal the battery.
2. Using a wrench, loosen the nut that secures the negative (black) cable to the battery, then remove the cable.
3. Repeat this process for the positive (red) cable.
4. Loosen and remove the battery hold-down clamp, then carefully lift the battery out of its tray.
5. Clean any corrosion from the battery tray and hold-down clamp using a mixture of baking soda and water or a commercial cleaning product.
6. Place the new battery in the tray and secure it with the hold-down clamp.
7. Reattach the battery cables, starting with the positive terminal.

Learning how to install a car battery isn’t just about replacing the old with the new. It also involves understanding the safety measures, especially when handling battery acid, which is corrosive.