Belzebutt

I've never changed a battery before, but before I go to a shop I'm wondering if this is something really easy that even a n00b can do, or should I get it done at a shop? I know that I need the radio code and the auto-window needs to be reset, but what do I need to do with the actual battery in order to not electrocute myself or hurt the car? Like, what do I need to unscrew and in what order?

PS. I searched and found lots of threads about batteries but not a DIY thread about how do do the actual replacement, if there is one I apologize (and please give me the link).

Audioserf

Just make sure you have your radio code handy before doing the swap. It's easy to forget that part, and it sucks not having music.

Savio

http://www.ehow.com/video_512_replace-car-battery.html


just make sure when replacing that you match up the terminals...

sortudo7

You can remove the battery connections in any order I've heard, I do black and then red too though. Just have the radio code handy, I didn't need to reset my windows but didn't replace the whole battery, just disconnected it before.

Get a good replacement battery, remove battery tie holding in original battery, disconnect black then red terminals. Wrap a cloth or fabric around terminals if you want to be safe when installing new battery but not required. Clean terminals if dirty or corrosion present, put in new battery, match up terminals (red then black) when reinstalling and secure in battery tie and you're done. Less than 5 mins of your time. DO NOT PAY someone to do this, if the store does it for free then you can let em do it but I like to DIY just to be safe.

SG81

iTrader: (1)

yes, do it yourself. very easy

curls

If you don't want to do it yourself, you're welcome to come to my place and we can replace it in 2 minutes here, no worries. I'm in Barrhaven and free all week (parental leave is awesome!).

CarbonGray Earl

Its easy man. the only scary part is the risk of electrocution, but if you take the proper precautions, you'll see that you should NEVER pay to get this done.

Just buy a good battery, the stock one sucks.

extracrunchie

for future references where can i find the codes for my car?

Belzebutt

It's printed on a little credit card-sized paper card that you should have. Mine is in the black (faux?) leather zipped pouch that came with the car, which you're supposed to store your manual in.

Curls, thanks for the offer, I'll buy a Costco battery and take a look at the battlefield first, and then see if I need to call for reinforcements.

curls

Actually Costco might install for free, or like $5 at most - I know Walmart does it for under $10 for sure if you buy it there.

But really, it's the battery tie-down (one or two small nuts that come off, then the terminals (wrench/socket, and I usually take the black off first and then the red, and when reinstalling put the red on first then the black).

Give me a PM if you want some help though, I don't mind!

gasser

Guys, and what characteristics a battery for our car should have? I mean AH and AMP? Searched in the service manual but no luck =(.

curls

gasser, your old battery should have its ratings (CCA's are important too!) listed on the battery. I believe it's 400 or so CCA's (cold cranking amps). Anything at that level or higher, that still fits in the battery tray, should be fine.

sortudo7

I didn't have the card in my car for some reason. I called up the dealer and they checked by my name and vin number and gave it to me over the phone eventhough they "aren't supposed to do this kinda thing." Once you get the code you can put it in your owners.acura.com area, that's where mine is. Been told it's also written on the glovebox somewhere around the back.

Like said, just look at the stock battery and look for something along those lines. General guides in the store should give you options of available batteries. Depending on winters CCA is very important. I like 500+ in CCA usually. (CCA is cold cranking amps, pretty much the more the better for cold starts).

Electrocution sounds so bad haha, more like a good zap in the fingers but hopefully that doesn't happen haha.

Belzebutt

So I went to Costco and they just had one type of battery that fit my car (fitment type 11 I think), it was a Kirkland with 500 CCA and a 3-year replacement warranty for $67. In the catalog they had at Costco they said the TSX stock battery is 430 CCA.

I didn't buy it because I know at Canadian Tire they have a Motomaster battery with a 10 year warranty for $100, in addition to one that's (I think) $80 that has a 3-year warranty. I didn't check the CCA on those at the time.

I'm thinking of going for the Crappy Tire one if the specs are better, what do you guys think? Both brands are nothing special as far as I know, but if they warranty the battery for 10 years I'm thinking it's probably better...

PhillyxMartin

iTrader: (2)

Just make sure you don't mix up the ground wire and the positive wire.

curls

The Costco ones are actually quite good (IMO, better than the Motomaster ones).

I have a Dekka one thats branded as a "Powr-Surge" and its been very reliable. I got it from Mike @ No Limits Auto Parts. 613.822.6226. He's a great guy with great prices... no bullcrap.

fast1

I got the one from COSTCO as well. Super easy to install and they'll take your old one once you've done with the swap.

DuckDodgers

Actually, it's really easy. At least on my Acura, open the glove box while sitting in the drivers seat. Look at the outside of the glove box, where it has swung open and you should see one or two (w/Navi) little white labels with a five digit number (and a four digit number) on them. Those are your codes...the radio code is the five digit one and the Navi code (if applicable) is the four digit one.

If it isn't there, maybe it'll be like my wife's Honda and on the inside of the glove box, also visible from the driver's seat.

super4

if u plan on keeping the car a long while id recoment an optima red top, not the cheapest but the best. the costco kirckland batteries are probibly almost as good i guess.

i didnt know if u disconnect the battery youll have to enter that code to get the radio and windows to work. where do you enter it anyway, my guess owuld be the 123456 buttons on the radio?

sortudo7

You use the tuning nob in the non-navi to enter the code iirc. Not sure how the navi is inputted.

DuckDodgers

Tuning knob also on Navi, for the 5 digit radio code...after the Navi comes up with the code screen for the 4 digit code...