🔧 Tucson - Battery Replacement

On your Tucson, the battery sits in the engine bay and is held down with a small clamp. The job is mostly about disconnecting the cables safely, swapping the battery, and reconnecting in the correct order to avoid sparks and electrical issues.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn ignition OFF and remove the key before starting.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative (-) cable first to prevent accidental shorting.
• ⚠️ Reconnect the negative (-) cable last after installation.
• ⚠️ Do not let a tool touch the battery positive and metal body at the same time.
• ⚠️ Battery acid is corrosive—wear gloves and safety glasses.
• ⚠️ Keep flames/sparks away; batteries can vent explosive gas.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 10mm wrench
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 3/8" ratchet
• 3" socket extension
• Torque wrench (inch-pound/foot-pound)
• Battery terminal puller (specialty)
• Wire brush

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

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

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Open the hood and make sure you have your radio presets/clock noted (they may reset).
• If you use a “memory saver,” connect it before disconnecting the battery (it’s a small device that keeps settings alive through the OBD port).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Access the battery

• Open the hood and locate the battery in the engine bay.
• If there is a plastic cover/duct in the way, remove it using a 10mm socket and 3/8" ratchet.

Step 2: Disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal

• Use a 10mm wrench to loosen the nut on the negative (-) terminal clamp.
• Twist and lift the clamp off the post. If it’s stuck, use a battery terminal puller (specialty) (a small puller that lifts the clamp straight off without damage).
• Tuck the negative cable aside so it cannot spring back to the battery.
• Torque to 5.9 Nm (52 in-lb) when reinstalling.

Step 3: Disconnect the positive (+) battery terminal

• Use a 10mm wrench to loosen the nut on the positive (+) terminal clamp.
• Lift the clamp off and move it aside.
• Torque to 5.9 Nm (52 in-lb) when reinstalling.

Step 4: Remove the battery hold-down

• Locate the hold-down clamp at the base of the battery.
• Remove the hold-down bolt(s) using a 12mm socket, 3/8" ratchet, and 3" extension.
• Set the clamp and bolt(s) aside where they won’t get lost.
• Torque to 19.6 Nm (14 ft-lb) when reinstalling.

Step 5: Remove the old battery

• Lift the battery straight up and out. Batteries are heavy—use both hands and keep it upright.
• Tip: Lift with your legs, not your back.

Step 6: Clean the tray and terminals

• Use a wire brush to gently clean corrosion from the inside of the cable clamps.
• Wipe the battery tray area clean and dry.

Step 7: Install the new battery

• Place the new battery into the tray in the same orientation as the old one (positive post on the same side as before).
• Install the hold-down clamp using a 12mm socket and 3/8" ratchet.
• Torque to 19.6 Nm (14 ft-lb).

Step 8: Reconnect the positive (+) terminal first

• Install anti-corrosion washers (if included) on the posts.
• Push the positive (+) clamp fully down onto the battery post.
• Tighten with a 10mm wrench.
• Torque to 5.9 Nm (52 in-lb).

Step 9: Reconnect the negative (-) terminal last

• Push the negative (-) clamp fully down onto the battery post.
• Tighten with a 10mm wrench.
• Torque to 5.9 Nm (52 in-lb).
• Spray terminals lightly with battery terminal protectant spray.

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✅ After Repair

• Start your Tucson and confirm normal cranking (strong, fast start).
• Check that headlights, horn, and wipers work.
• Reset the clock and radio presets if needed.
• If the driver window auto-up/down doesn’t work, initialize it: with the engine running, fully raise the window and keep holding the switch up for ~2 seconds.
• Make sure the battery is secure and does not move when pushed by hand.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $150-$280 (parts only)

You Save: $100-$220 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.