How To Charge Your Car Battery

1. Park on a flat, level surface with the handbrake on and the keys removed from the ignition. Some newer models automatically activate the central locking once the battery is removed so ensure that you have the keys on you at all time and not on the dashboard. Car batteries contain strong, corrosive acid so make sure you have gloves and goggles on at all times.

2. Before charging your battery, make sure you have all the booklets for the electrical features of the vehicle. Sometimes radios and built in satellite navigation systems forget stored information and settings upon the battery being removed from the vehicle.

3. Open up the bonnet and secure it using the bonnet stay.

4. Find the battery amongst the engine and other mechanics of the car. Sometimes the battery could be in the boot of the car or even under the driver or passenger seat. Check your manual for more information on how to locate your battery.

5. Remove all of the protective plastics and clips from the battery cover so that you have easy access.

6. If you have the resources available, label or take note of which cable is which so that there are no accidents in the next few steps.

7. Like most electrical appliances, it’s important to disconnect the negative before the positive. Doing this in reverse can cause damage to the car’s electrics.

8. Loosen and disconnect (still wearing your protective equipment) the negative cable clamp. In most cases the clamp itself will be marked with a (“-“) minus symbol. Once disconnected, move the clamp itself away from the battery.

9. Repeat the steps above with the positive (“+”) clamp.

10. Remove any screws or clips keeping the battery in place if it doesn’t slot out. Disconnect vents that may be attached to the battery and carefully lift it out of the vehicle. Car batteries are a lot heavier than they look and can cause more damage than you think if dropped on a foot. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you can’t lift it.

11. Ensure that the charger you have is suitable for the model of your car. Fit the battery charger’s red clip to the positive post and the black clip to the negative.

12. Connect the battery charger to the mains and check that the clips are all securely in place. Now switch on the power. A green light should show to notify you that it is charging (depending on the model).

13. Once charging is complete, a second light will be illuminated (depending on the model). Switch off the power and starting with the black lead. Place the freshly charged battery back into its place in the car.

14. Connect any clips and vents to keep the battery in place.

15. Reconnect the positive first and then the negative clamps, ensuring they are clipped as far down the battery posts as possible.

16. Your car can now be started again.

If this step by step guide still feels you feeling a little out of your depth, simply call your local Protyres centre and get one of our experts to do that for you.

We have garages all over the UK. Click the button now to find your nearest Protyre.

Our skilled technicians will be pleased to assist with your vehicle maintenance. Whether it's an MOT, car servicing or a particular mechanical issue, we can help.

Protyre strive to offer customers the very best deals on tyres, MOTs and mechanical work. Book today and save £££'s.