Could You Change a Car Battery?

as400

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Had a quick poll at work this afternoon, 10 people, 8 men 2 women.

Only 4 felt confident that they knew how to change a battery safely.

One of those 4 thought it didn't matter which terminal you take off or on first.

4 of the 10 thought that once the negative terminal was disconnected if then while disconnecting the positive the spanner touches the car you will get a shock.

6 thought wearing rubber gloves would be a good idea.

1 would stand on a box if one were available.

This should be a basic task that everyone can do, in reality it seems the majority would rather leave it to a professional.
 

Blobcat

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Yes
 

EmilysDad

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..

One of those 4 thought it didn't matter which terminal you take off or on first......

Electrically it doesn't ;)

but (as the implication above) it's a good idea to remove the negative first :)

How about the alarm though when you remove it? . You'll set the alarm off on some makes if you don't follow procedure when disconnecting the battery. (No idea yet on the Merc - my seats's in the way :lol:)
 

Rory

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I've done it many times in the past, but not for several years. I think I'd be hard pushed to lift the battery on my car. I guess the bonnet needs opneing vertically too.

On some MBs, you have to be really careful not to blow various electronics.
 

EmilysDad

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I can now..... :rolleyes:

As a matter of interest I asked about my Merc's battery when I was last in Halfords, ie they advertise that it's only £6 & don't seem to show any exceptions.

....... They won't change mine :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
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Naraic

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Ask your colleagues if they can change a wheel...that will be even more revealing!!
 

Naraic

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As a matter of interest I asked about my Merc's battery when I was last in Halfords, ie they advertise that it's only £6 & don't seem to show any exceptions.

....... They won't change mine :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

What's only £6?
 

television

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On all post 1997 cars ESP lamp will come on, but go out once the steering is turned and any memory windows will have to be re set.

The dodgy car is the early 203's where a back is best used.

If your car is fitted with a AGM battery it must be replaced with the same as the charging characteristics are different where 2 batteries are used
 

cruiser

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Thank goodness I still have Mobilo! Although there's probably some small print that excludes batteries....
 

television

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Thank goodness I still have Mobilo! Although there's probably some small print that excludes batteries....

Indeed if the battery is flat they will not like you
 

whitenemesis

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Mobilo came out to my flat battery on the 203, without any issues. Started the car and arranged a replacement to be ready at the dealers for me.

1st class service :)
 

EmilysDad

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What's only £6?

That's the point. It appears they'll only only replace the easy ones for £6 ....... because mine is under the driver's seat, their book says that they won't touch it. :rolleyes:
 

turbopete

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so, lets say you take a 203 to a battery place of some sort for a new battery to be fitted. as Malcolm rightly says, the sams are prone to problems on the 203. if you then get the car back, and the sam is shot, who is responsible for the bill to replace it? the owner or the battery place? Discuss.

(and no its not a problem i have!)
 

television

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so, lets say you take a 203 to a battery place of some sort for a new battery to be fitted. as Malcolm rightly says, the sams are prone to problems on the 203. if you then get the car back, and the sam is shot, who is responsible for the bill to replace it? the owner or the battery place? Discuss.

(and no its not a problem i have!)

If a firm showed that they changed the battery in the correct way and used a back up, then no redress, but a charger in the cigar lighter does nothing with the ignition off.
 

Sue new MB owner!!

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If I need mine changing... how can you tell? :confused::Oops:.... unless its completely flat and of course then even I would know!! :neutral:

I shall be calling my Breakdown service !! .... its safer :lol::lol::lol:
 

television

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If I need mine changing... how can you tell? :confused::Oops:.... unless its completely flat and of course then even I would know!! :neutral:

I shall be calling my Breakdown service !! .... its safer :lol::lol::lol:

The cold weather brings out the weak batteries, often the car is sluggish to start with the starter motor not turning over easily when the battery is failing
 

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