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How do you change a Toyota battery?

How can I change the battery in my Toyota Corolla? It needs to be replaced, but it will be a lot cheaper if I do it myself.

avatar
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Good news for you: changing a car battery on your own is fairly easy!
Here’s how you can change the battery in your Toyota:
  • Park your car on level ground. Make sure that the parking brake is engaged and the ignition is turned off.
  • Open the hood
    of your car and find the battery. In a Toyota Corolla, it should be near the front of the car on the driver’s side.
  • Remove the terminal covers and, using a 10mm wrench, loosen the nut on the negative battery terminal, which will be labeled with a -.
  • Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery post.
  • Remove the red cable from the battery positive post, which will be labeled with a +.
  • Using the 10mm wrench, ​​remove the bracket on top of the battery and remove the old battery carefully.
  • At this point, you should take a moment to clean any acidic residue or corrosion that has built up in the battery bay or on the connectors. Be careful and wear gloves. Battery acid is a toxic chemical and should be handled with care.
  • Place the new battery into the battery bay and reinstall the bracket to hold it in place. Be sure not to overtighten the bracket, as this can cause the casing to crack.
  • Connect the positive terminal first, then connect the negative terminal and reinstall the terminal covers.
  • Start your engine to check that the battery is functioning properly. Be sure to dispose of your old battery in a safe manner, as car batteries can be dangerous. Store your battery in two garbage bags until you can bring it to a hazardous chemical and item drop-off area.
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