🔧 Altima - 12V Battery Replacement

You’ll be replacing the 12-volt battery under the hood of your Altima. This restores proper starting power and prevents electrical issues like dim lights or slow cranking.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5–1 hour

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Always turn the engine off and remove the key from the vehicle before working on the battery.
• ⚠️ Do not smoke or create sparks near the battery; battery gas is flammable.
• ⚠️ Wear eye protection and gloves; battery acid can burn skin and eyes.
• ⚠️ Always disconnect the negative (–) terminal first and reconnect it last to avoid short circuits.
• ⚠️ Do not let metal tools touch both battery terminals or the terminal and body metal at the same time.
• ⚠️ Your Altima may lose radio presets, clock, and window auto-up/down settings when the battery is disconnected.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 🛠️ 10mm socket
• 🛠️ 12mm socket
• 🛠️ 1/4" or 3/8" drive ratchet
• 🛠️ 3" socket extension
• 🛠️ Battery terminal brush
• 🛠️ Small flathead screwdriver
• 🛠️ Work gloves
• 🛠️ Safety glasses
• 🛠️ Memory saver device (OBD or 12V outlet type) (specialty)
• 🛠️ Shop towel or rag

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🔩 12V replacement battery (correct group size for Altima) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Battery terminal protector spray - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Battery anti-corrosion pads - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Turn off all electrical accessories (lights, radio, HVAC, phone chargers).
• If you have a memory saver, plug it into the OBD port under the dash before disconnecting the battery.
• Open the hood using the release inside the cabin, then lift the hood and secure the prop rod.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Locate the battery

• Open the hood and look near the front left side (driver side) of the engine bay; the battery is a rectangular box with two thick cables attached.
• If there is a plastic battery cover, gently lift it off by hand or pry its clips with the small flathead screwdriver.

Step 2: Identify positive and negative terminals

• The positive (+) terminal usually has a red cover and a plus sign.
• The negative (–) terminal usually has a black cable and a minus sign, and is connected to the metal body.
• Double-check before loosening anything.

Step 3: Disconnect the negative (–) terminal

• Use the 10mm socket and ratchet to loosen the nut on the negative terminal clamp.
• Once loose, twist the clamp gently and lift it off the battery post.
• Wrap the loose negative clamp with a shop towel and tuck it aside so it cannot spring back and touch the terminal.

Step 4: Disconnect the positive (+) terminal

• Flip open or remove the red plastic cover on the positive terminal with your hand or small flathead screwdriver.
• Use the 10mm socket and ratchet to loosen the positive terminal clamp nut.
• Lift the positive clamp straight up off the post and move it aside carefully.
• Do not let the positive clamp touch any bare metal.

Step 5: Remove the battery hold-down bracket

• Locate the metal or plastic bar or bracket holding the battery at the base or top.
• Use the 12mm socket, extension, and ratchet to remove the hold-down bolt(s).
• Lift the hold-down bracket out and set it aside.
• Keep bolts and bracket together so you don't lose them.

Step 6: Lift out the old battery

• Stand directly in front of the battery, keep your back straight, and bend your knees.
• Grip the battery by the built-in handle or by its sides and lift it straight up and out. It is heavy, so take your time.
• Place the old battery upright on the ground; do not tip it over.

Step 7: Clean the battery tray and terminals

• Inspect the battery tray for dirt or corrosion (white or blue powder).
• Wipe the tray clean with a shop towel.
• Use the battery terminal brush to clean the inside of the positive and negative cable clamps until shiny metal is visible.
• If corrosion is heavy, wear gloves and avoid breathing dust.

Step 8: Place the new battery in the tray

• Carefully lower the new battery into the tray in the same orientation as the old one: positive and negative posts in the same positions.
• Make sure it sits flat and fully in the tray.
• Place battery anti-corrosion pads over the posts if you’re using them.

Step 9: Reinstall the hold-down bracket

• Position the hold-down bracket over or in front of the battery exactly as it was before.
• Install the bolt(s) by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 12mm socket, extension, and ratchet to tighten the hold-down bolt(s) to secure the battery.
• Tighten to 7 Nm (62 in-lbs). Do not overtighten; the battery should not move but the case should not be crushed.

Step 10: Connect the positive (+) terminal

• Place the positive cable clamp straight down onto the positive post.
• Press it down so it sits fully on the post.
• Use the 10mm socket and ratchet to tighten the clamp nut.
• Tighten to about 5 Nm (44 in-lbs) — snug but not so hard that the clamp spreads or breaks.
• Close the red plastic cover over the positive terminal.

Step 11: Connect the negative (–) terminal

• Remove the rag from the negative cable clamp.
• Place the negative clamp onto the negative post.
• Use the 10mm socket and ratchet to tighten the clamp nut.
• Tighten to about 5 Nm (44 in-lbs), same as the positive clamp.
• Spray a light coat of battery terminal protector spray on both terminals.

Step 12: Reinstall any battery cover

• If your Altima has a plastic battery cover, place it back over the battery and press it down until the clips lock.

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✅ After Repair

• Start your Altima and make sure it cranks quickly and runs smoothly.
• Check that the battery warning light on the dash is off.
• Set the clock and re-enter radio presets as needed.
• Test power windows: if auto-up/down doesn’t work, hold the switch to fully lower, then hold to fully raise and keep holding for 2–3 seconds to relearn.
• Make sure the battery is secure by gently pushing it; it should not slide in the tray.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $260–$380 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $140–$220 (parts only)

You Save: $120–$160 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates typically run $100–$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5 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 above to add everything to your cart.