🔧 Maxima - Battery Replacement

Replacing the 12V battery restores reliable starting and stable power for your Maxima’s electronics. The job is straightforward: remove the battery hold-down, disconnect the cables (negative first), swap the battery, then reconnect (positive first).

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn ignition OFF and keep the key fob at least 10 feet away from your Maxima.
• ⚠️ Wear eye protection and gloves; battery acid is corrosive.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative (-) terminal first to prevent accidental short-circuits.
• ⚠️ Reconnect the positive (+) terminal first, then negative.
• ⚠️ Do not let a tool bridge between the battery positive and any metal body parts.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is required for this repair.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 10mm wrench
• 12mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8")
• 6" extension (3/8")
• Torque wrench (5-25 ft-lbs)
• Battery terminal brush (specialty)
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Fender cover

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 12V battery (Group Size 35) - Qty: 1
• Battery terminal anti-corrosion pads - Qty: 2
• Battery terminal protectant spray - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Maxima on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Open the hood and install a fender cover to protect paint.
• If you want to preserve radio presets/clock, use a memory saver that plugs into the OBD-II port. Optional for most DIYers.
• Wait 2-3 minutes with the car OFF before disconnecting to let modules go to sleep.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Locate the battery and check orientation

• Open the hood and locate the battery in the engine bay.
• Identify the terminals: (+) usually has a red cover; (-) is typically black and goes to body ground.

Step 2: Disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal

• Use a 10mm wrench (or 10mm socket) to loosen the negative terminal clamp nut.
• Wiggle and lift the clamp off the negative post, then push the cable aside so it can’t spring back.
• Negative off first prevents accidental sparks.
• When reinstalling later: Torque to 5 N·m (44 in-lbs).

Step 3: Disconnect the positive (+) battery terminal

• Flip open the red terminal cover (if equipped).
• Use a 10mm wrench (or 10mm socket) to loosen the positive terminal clamp nut.
• Remove the clamp from the positive post and position it safely away from the battery.
• When reinstalling later: Torque to 5 N·m (44 in-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the battery hold-down

• Use a 12mm socket, ratchet (3/8"), and 6" extension (3/8") to remove the hold-down nuts/bolts.
• Lift off the hold-down bracket and set it aside.
• When reinstalling later: Torque to 9 N·m (80 in-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the old battery

• Lift the battery straight up and out of the tray. Batteries are heavy—use proper lifting technique.
• Set it on the ground upright (never on its side).

Step 6: Clean the battery tray and cable clamps

• Inspect the tray for corrosion. If present, clean and dry the area.
• Use a battery terminal brush (specialty) to lightly clean the inside of both cable clamps until the metal looks bright.
• Install battery terminal anti-corrosion pads on the new battery posts (optional but recommended).

Step 7: Install the new battery

• Place the new Group Size 35 battery into the tray with the same orientation as the old one.
• Reinstall the hold-down bracket using a 12mm socket, then torque to 9 N·m (80 in-lbs).

Step 8: Reconnect the positive (+) terminal, then negative (-)

• Install the positive clamp onto the positive post and tighten using a 10mm socket.
• Torque to 5 N·m (44 in-lbs) and close the red cover (if equipped).
• Install the negative clamp onto the negative post and tighten using a 10mm socket.
• Torque to 5 N·m (44 in-lbs).
• Apply battery terminal protectant spray if you’re using it.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start your Maxima and confirm it cranks strongly with no warning lights staying on.
• Reset the clock and radio presets if they were lost.
• Check power windows: if auto-up/down doesn’t work, re-initialize by fully lowering the window, then fully raising it while holding the switch an extra 2-3 seconds.
• Recheck the terminal clamps for tightness after a short drive. Loose clamps cause no-starts.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $160-$280 (parts only)

You Save: $90-$170 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.

---

🎯 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.