When your car unexpectedly fails to start, it could be a sign that the battery might be worn out or near the end of its useful lifespan. While regular maintenance can help extend your vehicle's life, batteries eventually need changing.
You might become aware that your car battery is getting weak if it's hard to start your car, the headlights are not as bright, there's a strange smell when you open the hood, or the check engine light keeps flashing.
The general process involves finding the correct battery type and size for your vehicle, disconnecting the terminals from your old battery, cleaning the terminals, and installing and securing the new battery. Consider that any work involving electrical systems is best left to technicians, including battery replacements. Be sure to consult your owner's manual for vehicle-specific precautions when handling your car battery to help mitigate risks involved. Improper battery handling may damage your vehicle's electrical systems, start a battery fire, or cause injury. However, knowing the signs when a battery replacement may be due can help you stay on top of your vehicle maintenance and help your vehicle start and function reliably.
Signs Your Car Battery Needs To Be Replaced
Knowing the early signs of a fading battery and replacing it promptly may help save you from the stress of a car that won't start. Cars typically show subtle signs before their batteries fully give out. Here are some indicators to look out for:
1. Diminishing Battery Performance: Over time, the components of a battery naturally age and become less efficient, diminishing its ability to hold a charge. Understanding the service period of your battery is crucial for anticipating when it may begin to decline. Check your owner's manual or talk with a technician to understand the typical lifespan of your car battery. There are many car battery types, sizes, and charge capacities, so be sure to consult the owner's manual. If you're still unsure on which battery to choose, have a trained technician recommend one for you. Always refer to your owner's manual for the recommended battery servicing schedule for your specific vehicle.
2. Your Vehicle Struggles To Start: Does your engine take longer than usual to start? This may be accompanied by unusual sounds or flickering dashboard lights when you turn the ignition, or for push-button start systems, the vehicle may not even crank at all. This usually indicates that your battery is nearing the end of its life as it is struggling to supply the power required for your vehicle to start.
3. Dim Headlights: If your car's headlights are dimmer than usual, it could indicate your battery is struggling to hold a charge. Dim headlights can let you know the battery isn't providing enough power for all your car's electrical components to function at full strength. This is often more noticeable during startup or while using multiple electrical features.
4. Check Engine Light: When the check engine light turns on, it may point to a battery issue. This light is linked to your car's computer system, which monitors the battery's performance. It might indicate a weakening battery, bad connections, or problems with the alternator. Getting a technician to examine your vehicle can help you determine your battery's status and help prevent bigger problems later.
5. Strange Smells: Batteries are filled with sulfuric acid and can overheat when overcharged. This heat may cause the battery to release a gas that smells like rotten eggs. A leaking battery is dangerous because battery acid can corrode. It can also mean the battery isn't working right, potentially making it hard to start your car.
How to Replace Your Car Battery
The safest course is to have a trained technician to replace your battery for you, as handling a car battery involves many risks and requires adherence to safety precautions. If you decide to replace the battery yourself, consider following the general steps below in addition to consulting your owner's manual for vehicle specific instructions:
1. Safety First: Park your car on a flat, dry surface before you begin. Be sure the vehicle is in Park and the emergency parking brake is engaged. Make sure the ignition is turned off and the vehicle is cooled down. It's recommended to wear safety gloves and safety glasses, and never smoke under the hood, especially when working with batteries.
2. Locate The Battery: Carefully open the hood and look for the battery. This is typically mounted in the engine bay in one of the front corners on either side of the car.
3. Find & Disconnect The Terminals: Find the positive and negative posts on your battery. The positive post might be covered with red plastic and the cable it's attached to is usually red too. Look for a "+" symbol near this post. The negative post will have a black cable and possibly a "-" sign. Before you do anything, take off any covers on the battery or its terminals. Start by disconnecting the negative cable first to avoid the risk of a spark or other injuries. Loosen the nut or bolt with a wrench and gently pull off the cable using a terminal puller. Make sure the cables do not touch each other.
4. Remove Your Car's Battery: Many batteries are secured using a strap or bracket. You will need to loosen or possibly remove the device that secures the battery in place. Once the battery is no longer secured, carefully lift the old battery, removing any connectors holding it in place. Pick it up safely and put the old battery aside on a flat, concrete surface. Note: Car batteries can be heavy, so ask for assistance if needed.
5. Clean Battery Terminals: Clean the terminals before putting in the new battery. Cleaning the terminals removes any corrosion that's formed on the connectors. Using a terminal cleaning tool is an effective way to get this done.
6. Install The New Battery: Apply a thin layer of terminal grease before connecting the cables. Start with connecting the positive terminal to the positive cable. Then, repeat for the negative terminal and cable. Insert the new battery into its bracket, ensuring it aligns correctly with the positive and negative terminals. Give the battery a gentle wiggle to check for any movement. If it shifts, secure it by further tightening the clamp or retaining mechanism.
For optimal safety and assurance, check with a Toyota Service Center to handle the battery replacement for you. Their trained technicians can ensure that the battery is installed correctly and safely, helping you avoid the risk of any complications.
Toyota Maintenance
If you're comfortable doing these steps on your own and it's getting close to replacing your car battery, you can find Genuine Toyota Replacement Parts online, otherwise visit your local Toyota dealership service center to schedule an appointment to check your battery (check our Service Specials page for active discounts in your area).