Step 1: Prepare the vehicle

• Park on a flat surface and engage the parking brake
• Turn off ignition and remove the key
• Disconnect any accessories
• Wear gloves and safety glasses

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Step 2: Locate and inspect the battery

• Open the hood and find the battery housing
• Check for cracks, leaks or severe corrosion
• Note the battery orientation (positive vs negative)

Step 3: Disconnect the old battery

• Loosen the negative (‑) terminal with an 8 mm wrench
• Remove the negative clamp first and set aside
• Loosen the positive (+) terminal and remove it
• If a hold‑down bracket is present, remove it with a socket

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Step 4: Clean the tray and terminals

• Spray a baking soda solution on any corrosion
• Scrub with a terminal brush or rag
• Dry the area completely

Step 5: Install the new battery

• Place the new battery in the tray matching the original orientation
• Re‑attach the hold‑down bracket and tighten securely
• Connect the positive (+) terminal first and tighten
• Connect the negative (‑) terminal last and tighten  
• Verify all connections are tight

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Step 6: Test the installation

• Start the engine; it should turn over smoothly
• Check the voltage with a multimeter (should read 12.6 V idle)
• Reset any electronic memory if needed
• Close the hood

• Connecting positive terminal before negative
• Forgetting to remove hold‑down bracket
• Not cleaning corrosion which can cause poor start
• Lifting the battery without proper stance leading to injury

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•  Schedule regular battery checks for each vehicle
•  Keep a stock of the correct group‑size batteries for your fleet
•  Use a mobile battery service for emergencies
•  Record replace dates in your fleet management software

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