Finding that your car won’t start after storage can be frustrating.
Failure to remove your battery can lead to discharging and even a reduced battery life due to corrosion. Should you choose to run the risk and leave your car battery in for the duration of storage anyway, expect a battery replacement, added costs, and system malfunctions — all thanks to one oversight.
The good news? You can prevent these issues by understanding the importance and methods of disconnecting your car battery before storage.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Storage
Before disconnecting your car battery, it’s essential to understand why.
Disconnecting your car battery has several benefits:
- Avoids Battery Drain: Over time, batteries naturally lose charge. You reduce the chances of a dead battery by disconnecting it.
This can save you from $60 to $300 on replacements. - Protects Electronics: Cars are made with all types of electronics in mind. Removing your battery can protect these systems from random surges.
- Prevents Acid Leaks: Acid can corrode different parts of your car if they begin to leak.
- Reduces Sulfation Risks: Sulfate crystals can form on your battery plates, which can reduce performance.
Simply put, disconnecting your battery eliminates potential headaches in the future.
Safety Precautions
Proper safety can be the difference between a smooth, risk-free process and a dangerous circumstance.
Ensure That Your Car is Turned Off
Always ensure your vehicle is turned off before disconnecting the battery. This will help prevent accidents or damage to your vehicle’s electrical systems.
Wear Proper Equipment
Wearing eye protection and using the appropriate tools is key when working with car batteries.
For example, you wouldn’t want to use a socket wrench that might touch both battery terminals at the same time. This can blow fuses and harm your battery.
Step-by-Step Guide to Disconnecting a Car Battery for Storage
Now, let’s dive into a step-by-step guide on how to do it properly.
Necessary Tools
Once you’ve located your car battery, you’ll want to have the necessary tools for disconnecting it:
- Wrenches: A 10-millimeter wrench is the industry standard for removing terminal bolts.
- Battery Terminal Puller: A terminal puller can help remove the clamps without causing any damage.
- Battery Carrier or Strap: Battery carriers assist in safely lifting and removing the battery, especially since car batteries can be heavy.
- Protective Gloves: Battery acid can cause inflammation, blisters, and even chemical burns. That said, you’ll want a pair of sturdy gloves for protection.
- Safety Glasses: Wear eye protection to prevent potential acid splashes or debris.
- Wire Brush or Battery Terminal Cleaner: Useful for cleaning corroded terminals, providing better connection when reinstalling.
- Baking Soda and Water Solution: This can help neutralize and clean any acid present.
Disconnecting Battery Cables
Let’s start with the positive and negative terminals:
1. Negative Battery Cable
- First, loosen the negative cable clamp with the wrench.
- Now, detach it by lifting it away from the negative terminal.
- Push the negative cable away from the battery to ensure it doesn’t accidentally reconnect during the process.
2. Positive Battery Cable
Repeat the exact same process.
- Loosen the positive cable clamp.
- Detach it from the positive terminal, similar to the negative cable
- Be sure to secure both cables separately to avoid any electrical damage.
3. Removing the Battery Hold-Down Bracket
- After disconnecting the battery cables, identify the battery hold-down bracket. This bracket secures the battery in place.
- Use a socket wrench to loosen the bracket bolts.
- Carefully remove the bracket.
- Fasten the car’s battery with a cable tie to ensure stability.
4. Extracting the Battery
- With the bracket removed, you can now lift the car battery safely from the battery tray.
Storing the Disconnected Car Battery
The final step is to store it properly to ensure longevity.
Ideal Battery Storage Conditions
In order to preserve your battery, you’ll want to:
- Store in a cool, dry environment.
- Keep away from direct sunlight.
- Avoid heat/humid environments (extreme temperatures and moisture can cause corrosion).
Periodic Maintenance
Regular Checks
It’s good practice to give some attention to your car battery every now and then.
Why? Checking for leaks or any unusual signs can help you catch potential issues early, preventing any serious damage.
Recharging
Don’t be afraid to charge your battery from time to time. Batteries can lose their charge when left unused.
By giving it a boost periodically, you’re keeping it in good shape and ready to perform when needed.
Cleaning
A clean battery plays an essential role in preventing corrosion. As mentioned, a mixture of baking soda and water works wonders for cleaning terminals and posts.
Reconnecting the Car Battery after Storage
Reconnecting is just as important as disconnecting. When it’s time to reconnect your car battery after storage, there are a few essential steps to follow.
Inspecting the Battery
Before reconnecting your car battery, inspect it for any signs of damage or corrosion. Check the battery terminals for any signs of corrosion, and inspect the battery case and cables for any signs of wear or damage.
Addressing any issues with your battery before reconnecting it can help prevent potential problems down the road.
Reconnecting the Battery Cables
- Always turn off the vehicle’s ignition.
- Connect the positive battery cable (red connector) to the positive terminal.
- Now, connect the negative battery cable (black connector) to the negative terminal.
Resetting the Vehicle’s Systems
After reconnecting your car battery, you may need to reset some of your vehicle’s systems, such as the clock and radio preset. To do this, follow the instructions specific to your vehicle.
Resetting your vehicle’s systems will ensure a smooth transition back to regular use after storage.
Alternatives to Disconnecting the Car Battery
Trickle Chargers
Trickle chargers slowly recharge car batteries over an extended period. They’re perfect for keeping batteries charged when they’re not being used. You can leave them connected for a while without fear of overcharging.
This way, you can keep your car battery charged and ready for use without disconnecting.
Battery Tenders
Like trickle chargers, a battery tender can keep your car battery operational during storage.
Connect it to your battery terminals, plug it into a power source, and turn it on. The tender will monitor the battery and maintain it at a full charge, ensuring it’s ready to go when you need it.
What to do Next
With your car battery disconnected, the focus shifts toward reliable vehicle storage.
Traditional storage facilities and peer-to-peer platforms like Neighbor have been reliable options in the storage industry for years. Each, in its own right, can offer you accessible, flexible, and unique car storage solutions.
Final Thoughts
Our vehicles often mirror our approach to care and attention. Now that you know this information, apply it to your car’s overall maintenance regimen.
Prioritize proactive steps and let your vehicle reflect your dedication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which battery terminal do I disconnect for storage?
Disconnect the negative cable first, followed by the positive cable. This will prevent unnecessary battery drain and help your car battery maintain its charge for 6-12 months.
Is it safe to disconnect the car battery for storage?
Yes! Disconnecting the negative cable first and then the positive cable second is advised when storing a car battery for an extended period of time. This helps prevent unnecessary battery drain and keeps a fully charged battery in good condition for 6-12 months.
Can I just disconnect the negative terminal?
You should disconnect both the positive and negative battery terminals, with the negative one being disconnected first. Failing to do so may cause an electrical short.
How do I locate my car battery?
First, consult your owner’s manual or look under the hood in the engine compartment to locate your car battery. If you cannot locate it, try searching your car’s make, year, and model on Google Search.
