How to Disconnect a Car Battery

It's important to learn to disconnect a car battery, because if you need to work on your vehicle, you don't want to risk electrocution.

Step 1: Find the negative
Find the negative terminal on the top of the battery. It's usually covered with a black cap, but if not you should be able to find a small minus sign near it or on the top of the connector.

Tip
The positive terminal usually has a red cap or a plus sign in case you're unsure which is which.

Step 2: Choose a socket size
Figure out what socket size you need to loosen the nut on the negative connector in order to disconnect the battery.

Step 3: Put together the socket wrench
Put the correct sized socket on the socket wrench. You may need to use a socket extender to be able to properly reach the nut on the connector.

Step 4: Loosen the nut
Loosen the nut on the negative terminal by placing the socket onto the nut and turning the nut counter-clockwise. It should take only a few turns to loosen.

Step 5: Disconnect the negative connector
Disconnect the negative connector once the nut is loosened by pulling it off. Set it aside, away from the battery.

Step 6: Disconnect the positive connector
Loosen the nut on the positive terminal and disconnect it from the battery. Remove the battery, being careful not to let the positive terminal touch any metal part of the car.

Did You Know?
Almost 99 million wet-cell lead-acid car batteries are manufactured every year.

[shibabie]

My husband is deployed, and his jeep has a short that keeps draining the battery. So, he asked me to disconnect the negative terminal until he gets home in a couple weeks so it doesn't drain the brand new battery. I have never ever touched anything on the inside of a car! You video made me feel a little more confident that I could do this! All disconnected and I didn't electrocute myself! Thanks!

[Enchisedmy]

"You will need a car with a battery"
Hmm, maybe I should get one of those, then.

[skatakid]

That guy took that Electrocution like a champ

[bartekciszewski]

Two things I learnt watching this video:
- In order to disconnect a car batter, you need a car with a battery,
- Almost 99 million wet-cell lead-acid car batteries are manufactured every year.

Thanks for the valuable lesson.

[Benzo]

They've got jokes, but this shit helped me get rid of the check engine light long enough to pass emissions!

[ouidaja]

Remember, it's just a 12 volt battery...little more than your typical 9-volt. Neg always comes off first and goes on last.

[jim]

Don't let your tool touch the metal on the car while taking off the positive side wire.

[Shalazen]

To take out a battery, negative first then put back in, positive then

[TheBerginton]

If you don't disconnect the negative before the positive you can end up with a short or even worse, even though this may sound and look stupid and simple, doing things the right way might save you from some headaches...just saying.

[renetc.]

Every time I have car troubles, I know there's always going to be a video from 10 years ago with a solution, lolol

[thelinn]

Will this still work if you only have a socket wrench and not a battery?

[Thathumanoverthere]

How cast still dropping knowledge for us news 13 years later

[HeuristicsEnjoyer]

So you don't want the positive terminal to touch any metal on the car, but it touching the metal of the socket wrench is fine? How's that work out?

[marisamarie]

When removing, disconnect black (negative) first set aside away from battery
Disconnect red(positive) do not let touch metal

[brett]

Just like this car battery, I also have two nuts that need some form of screwing.

[tonkatonky]

idk about the sarcastic comments, but the video calmed my Electrocution doubts. thanks!

[MarkAS]

Know nothing about cars. Had to change battery today myself. Big help, thank you.

[marisadamiano]

you know what?- I better get a car with a battery first.
lol no this video was helpful.

[SpencerJenkins]

i love how they put emphasis on the word nut
"find what socket size you need to loosen the NUT on the negative connector"

[TeslaRules]

Second battery video I have seen which ignores removing and installing the battery strap downs - which are a pain to deal with