🔧 Altima - 12V Battery Replacement

Replacing the 12V battery on your Altima is a beginner-friendly job. The battery sits under the hood, and the main goal is to remove the negative cable first, then the positive cable, swap the battery, and reconnect everything safely.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 20-40 minutes

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and gloves because car batteries contain acid and can release explosive gas.
• ⚠️ Always remove the negative battery cable first to reduce the risk of sparks.
• ⚠️ Do not let tools touch both battery terminals or the positive terminal and metal body at the same time.
• ⚠️ Keep flames, cigarettes, and sparks away from the battery area.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is required for this repair.
• ⚠️ Your Altima may lose clock, radio presets, and some learned idle/window settings after disconnecting the battery.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• Ratchet wrench 1/4-inch drive
• 10mm wrench
• Battery terminal puller (specialty)
• Battery carrier strap (specialty)
• Battery terminal cleaning brush
• Memory saver 12V OBD-II (specialty)
• Torque wrench inch-pound 1/4-inch drive
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 12V AGM battery or flooded lead-acid battery matching Altima fitment - Qty: 1
• Battery terminal protector spray - Qty: 1
• Battery terminal anti-corrosion washers - Qty: 2

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Turn the ignition off and remove the key fob from the vehicle.
• Open the hood and support it securely.
• If using a memory saver, plug the 12V OBD-II memory saver into the OBD-II port before disconnecting the battery. A memory saver supplies low power to keep basic settings stored.
• Wait at least 3 minutes after turning the vehicle off before disconnecting the battery so control modules can go to sleep.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Locate the Battery

• Use your hands to open the hood fully and locate the battery in the engine compartment.
• Identify the negative terminal marked - and the positive terminal marked +.
• Take a photo before removal.

Step 2: Disconnect the Negative Cable

• Use a 10mm wrench or 10mm socket to loosen the nut on the negative battery terminal clamp.
• Twist the clamp gently by hand and lift it off the battery post.
• If it is stuck, use a battery terminal puller. A battery terminal puller safely lifts the clamp without damaging the cable.
• Move the negative cable away from the battery so it cannot spring back and touch the terminal.

Step 3: Disconnect the Positive Cable

• Open the red positive terminal cover by hand if equipped.
• Use a 10mm wrench or 10mm socket to loosen the positive battery terminal clamp nut.
• Lift the positive cable off the battery post and move it aside carefully.
• Do not let the positive cable touch metal body parts.

Step 4: Remove the Battery Hold-Down Bracket

• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet wrench 1/4-inch drive to remove the battery hold-down fasteners.
• Lift off the hold-down bracket and place the hardware somewhere safe.
• The hold-down bracket keeps the battery from moving while driving.

Step 5: Remove the Old Battery

• Attach a battery carrier strap to the battery if available. A battery carrier strap helps you lift the heavy battery safely.
• Lift the battery straight up and out using both hands.
• Keep the battery upright at all times.
• Set it on the ground, not on painted surfaces.

Step 6: Clean the Battery Terminals

• Use a battery terminal cleaning brush to clean the inside of both cable clamps.
• Use the same battery terminal cleaning brush to clean the new battery posts if needed.
• If you see white or green powder, that is corrosion. Avoid touching it with bare hands.
• Clean metal makes starting easier.

Step 7: Install the New Battery

• Use the battery carrier strap and lower the new battery into the tray.
• Make sure the positive and negative posts are in the same positions as the old battery.
• Install the battery hold-down bracket by hand first.
• Use a 10mm socket and torque wrench inch-pound 1/4-inch drive to tighten the hold-down fasteners snugly. Torque to 4.5-5.5 Nm (40-49 in-lbs)
• Do not overtighten the hold-down because it can crack the battery case.

Step 8: Connect the Positive Cable First

• Place one battery terminal anti-corrosion washer over the positive battery post.
• Push the positive cable clamp fully down onto the positive battery post.
• Use a 10mm socket and torque wrench inch-pound 1/4-inch drive to tighten the positive terminal nut. Torque to 5.4 Nm (48 in-lbs)
• Close the red positive terminal cover by hand if equipped.

Step 9: Connect the Negative Cable Last

• Place one battery terminal anti-corrosion washer over the negative battery post.
• Push the negative cable clamp fully down onto the negative battery post.
• Use a 10mm socket and torque wrench inch-pound 1/4-inch drive to tighten the negative terminal nut. Torque to 5.4 Nm (48 in-lbs)
• Spray a light coat of battery terminal protector spray on the terminal areas.

Step 10: Start the Vehicle

• Use the key fob and start your Altima normally.
• Let the engine idle for a few minutes without pressing the accelerator.
• Check that the battery warning light turns off after startup.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Confirm the engine starts strongly and the battery warning light is off.
• ✅ Reset the clock and radio presets if they were lost.
• ✅ Auto-up window function may need relearning: fully close the window, then hold the switch up for a few seconds.
• ✅ Drive normally for 10-15 minutes so the vehicle can relearn idle and charging behavior.
• ✅ Recycle the old battery at an auto parts store or battery recycling center.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $240-$420 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $160-$300 (parts only)

You Save: $80-$120 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3-0.7 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.