🔧 Legacy - Battery Replacement

You’ll remove the old 12V battery from the engine bay and install a new one of the correct size. This restores reliable starting and prevents random electrical issues caused by a weak battery.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and gloves—battery acid is corrosive.
• ⚠️ Keep sparks/flames away; batteries can vent explosive gas.
• ⚠️ Remove the negative (-) cable first and install it last to reduce short-circuit risk.
• ⚠️ Don’t let a tool bridge the positive terminal to metal—this can arc and damage electronics.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is required for replacement; you may lose clock/radio presets.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 1/4" ratchet
• 3" socket extension
• 10mm combination wrench
• Battery terminal puller (specialty)
• Battery post/terminal cleaning brush
• Torque wrench (inch-pound or low-range)
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 12V battery (Group 35, 550+ CCA) - Qty: 1
• Battery terminal anti-corrosion spray - Qty: 1
• Battery terminal felt washers (red/green) - Qty: 1 set
• Baking soda (for corrosion neutralizing) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, shift to Park, set the parking brake, and turn the ignition OFF.
• 🔑 Remove the key/fob from the vehicle and keep it a few feet away.
• 🧠 If you want to preserve radio presets, use a memory saver. (A memory saver is a small device that powers the car through the OBD port while the battery is out.)
• 🧼 If you see crusty buildup on the terminals, mix a little baking soda with water and have it ready.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Open the hood and locate the battery

• The battery is at the front of the engine bay with a hold-down bracket across the top.
• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.

Step 2: Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable

• Use a 10mm socket with a 1/4" ratchet to loosen the negative terminal clamp nut.
• Wiggle the clamp up and off the negative post. If it’s stuck, use a battery terminal puller (specialty). (A terminal puller presses the clamp off without prying.)
• Tuck the negative cable to the side so it cannot spring back and touch the battery.
• Torque to 5 N·m (44 in-lb / 3.7 ft-lb) when reinstalling.

Step 3: Disconnect the positive (+) battery cable

• Use a 10mm socket to loosen the positive terminal clamp nut and remove the clamp from the positive post.
• Move the positive cable aside without letting it touch any metal parts.
• Torque to 5 N·m (44 in-lb / 3.7 ft-lb) when reinstalling.

Step 4: Remove the battery hold-down bracket

• Use a 10mm socket, ratchet, and 3" extension to remove the two hold-down nuts.
• Lift off the hold-down bracket and set it aside.
• Torque to 7.5 N·m (66 in-lb / 5.5 ft-lb) when reinstalling.

Step 5: Remove the old battery

• Lift the battery straight up and out carefully. Batteries are heavy—use your legs, not your back.
• Keep it level to avoid spills.

Step 6: Clean the battery tray and terminals (if needed)

• If you see corrosion (white/blue crust), lightly scrub using a battery post/terminal cleaning brush.
• If needed, apply a small amount of baking soda + water to neutralize corrosion, then wipe dry.
• Make sure everything is dry before installing the new battery.

Step 7: Install the new battery

• Place the new Group 35 battery into the tray in the same orientation as the old one.
• Reinstall the hold-down bracket and tighten with a 10mm socket.
• Torque to 7.5 N·m (66 in-lb / 5.5 ft-lb).

Step 8: Reconnect cables (positive first, negative last)

• Install the positive (+) clamp first and tighten using a 10mm socket.
• Torque to 5 N·m (44 in-lb / 3.7 ft-lb).
• Install the negative (-) clamp last and tighten using a 10mm socket.
• Torque to 5 N·m (44 in-lb / 3.7 ft-lb).
• If you have them, install felt washers and apply anti-corrosion spray after everything is tight.

Step 9: Final checks

• Gently try to rotate each terminal by hand—if it twists, tighten slightly with the 10mm socket.
• Confirm the battery is secure and cannot move in the tray.

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✅ After Repair

• 🚗 Start the engine and confirm normal cranking speed and no warning lights related to low voltage.
• 🕒 Reset the clock and radio presets if they were lost.
• 🪟 If the auto-up/down window doesn’t work, relearn it: fully lower the window, then fully raise it and keep holding the switch up for 2-3 seconds.
• 🔍 Check that the terminals stay cool after a short drive—hot terminals can mean they’re loose.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$380 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $140-$240 (parts only)

You Save: $80-$140 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.