Why do you have to disconnect the negative battery terminal first?

Why do you have to disconnect the negative battery terminal first?

Expert Reply: By removing the negative battery cable you are disconnecting the battery from the chassis of your vehicle. If you begin to remove the positive side before the negative and your wrench would make contact with any part of the vehicle, then you could cause a short in the system.

Which battery terminal should be disconnected?

Always work on the negative terminal before the positive when you disconnect your battery. Grab a socket from your socket kit and hold it near, but not against, the nut on the negative terminal of your battery. Ascertain visually the socket size you’ll need to loosen the nut.

What is the correct order of connecting the leads when jump starting?

One end of the red jump lead should be connected to the flat battery’s positive terminal. The lead must not touch any vehicle metal. Attach the red lead’s other end to the boosting battery’s positive terminal. Take the black lead and connect one end to the boosting battery’s negative terminal.

Which battery terminal should I disconnect?

Negative Terminal
Disconnect The Negative Terminal First The positive terminal typically has a plus (+) symbol and a red cap. When disconnecting a car battery, always remove the negative connector (negative clamp) from the negative terminal first. This is to avoid electric shocks or sparks.

How do you remove the battery cables from a car battery?

Your battery cables are attached to the terminals by a nut, so you’ll need to use a socket or adjustable wrench to loosen each nut. You should always remove the NEGATIVE terminal cable first. Then after unhooking the negative terminal and setting it aside, disconnect the positive terminal.

What should I do when replacing the battery?

When removing the old battery, remember to first disconnect the cables from the negative terminal, which is usually black and has a minus (-) sign then disconnect the cables from the positive terminal, which is usually red and has a plus (+) sign.

How do you remove the negative battery terminal from a battery?

The negative terminal will be marked by a minus (-) sign and black cable, and the positive with a plus (sign) and red cable. For safety purposes, always proceed to disconnect the negative cable first. Use your wrench to loosen the nut that connects the negative terminal of the battery, then proceed to remove the nut completely.

What happens to a lead acid battery when not charged?

A lead acid battery, when not connected to a smart charger, will undergo “self-discharge” which is the battery simply losing its charge slowly over time. A car battery will self-discharge at about 5-15% per month depending on the health and environmental conditions. A hot climate will cause a battery to self-discharge faster.