How to Replace a Jeep Battery
Keeping your Jeep at peak performance requires a high-quality battery with enough cold crank amps and reserve capacity to get you through any situation. To find the right one, refer to your vehicle’s group size and terminal configuration.
If your Jeep is slow to start, making a clicking sound, or showing signs of heavy corrosion, it may be time for an upgrade. This guide will help you select, install and maintain the perfect battery for your Jeep.
The Right Battery for Your Jeep
Whether you’re crawling up a mountain like the one pictured above or simply navigating a parking lot full of SUVs, your Jeep needs a strong and reliable battery to fire up the engine. The right battery also provides power to accessories and can help you navigate through tricky situations off-road or in the city. A quality replacement battery from a brand you trust can prevent costly breakdowns and keep your Wrangler running at peak performance for years to come.
The type of battery you need in your vehicle depends on the model and year you drive, as well as your driving habits. The experts at Larry H Miller Colorado Jeep are able to help you choose the best battery for your Jeep, and we can even install it for you.
Most newer Jeeps use a Group 48 or H6 OPTIMA battery, which has plenty of cranking amps and reserve capacity. The older YJ Jeeps typically used a smaller Group 58 battery, which OPTIMA does not offer direct-fit fitment for. However, we can install a dual battery system for you using an isolator that separates the two batteries during motor operation and only feeds one when necessary through the alternator.
If you drive your Jeep in cold climates, you’ll want to consider a battery with high Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) ratings. Low CCA ratings can leave you stranded in frigid temperatures, so be sure to take this into consideration as you shop for your Jeep’s new battery.
Choosing the Right Battery
Your car battery plays an important role in your vehicle, providing the power needed to start your engine and run your electronic accessories. Choosing the right battery is vital, as the wrong one can lead to early failure or prevent your accessory components from operating efficiently. Luckily, there are several ways to ensure that you get the perfect battery for your Jeep.
The first step is to determine what battery size your vehicle needs. The best way to do this is to consult your owner’s manual. The model year of your Jeep is also a good reference point. This will help you determine what battery group size to look for. If you are unable to find jeep battery this information, you can also check the size of your current battery and its CCA rating. The CCA rating is a measure of how many amps a battery can deliver in 30 seconds at 32 degrees Fahrenheit while maintaining 7.2 volts.
Once you know the battery size you need, it is time to select a brand and model. OPTIMA offers a range of high-performance batteries that provide the cranking amps, reserve capacity and deep-cycling capability that Jeep owners need to get where they’re going. For 2018, JK Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators can benefit from a direct-fit H6 or H7 YELLOWTOP battery, which provides more cranking amps than conventional starter batteries. These performance batteries are engineered with advanced AGM technology and offer up to 1500 pulse amps, ensuring that they will outlast conventional starter batteries and resist sulfation and corrosion.
Installation
Changing out a battery is a pretty straightforward DIY job. Before you start, make sure to wear gloves to protect your hands from the acid in the battery, which can be very corrosive. Open the hood and locate the battery on either the driver’s or passenger side of the engine bay, depending on your Jeep model. The battery is held in place with a bolt and a retention bracket or plate, so you’ll need to remove both to get it out.
Using a 10mm wrench, loosen the black negative cable and move it as far back as possible to avoid accidentally connecting it to the positive terminal during the battery removal process. Use a similar ev battery companies method to loosen the red battery cable and move it out of the way. Once both cables are loose, you can disconnect the negative terminal and move the old battery aside.
Before you begin connecting the new battery, spray some anti-corrosion solution on the terminals to prevent any corrosion from occurring while you work. Connect the new battery by following the same steps as with the old one, and remember to reconnect the black cable first, followed by the red. After connecting the cables, you can test the installation by starting your engine and making sure that the new battery is working properly.
Maintenance
A dependable battery is critical to the smooth operation of your vehicle and all of its electronic components. If your Jeep starts taking longer to crank than usual, or if the headlights and other interior lights are dimming, then there is a strong possibility that your battery is starting to fail. A quick visit to a local jeep service center should provide you with the expert inspection and guidance you need.
Regular maintenance is also essential to maximizing battery performance and lifespan. A regular inspection of the battery and battery cables should help prevent a build-up of grime that can impede electrical flow and reduce battery performance. Keeping your fluid levels topped up (using distilled water only) can also greatly extend battery life.
Jeeps with a lot of heavy-duty accessories such as winches, large stereo systems or off-road lighting have significant electrical demands that can strain the battery. These vehicles often benefit from having two batteries installed to meet those demands and provide redundancy.
If a quick multi-point check at Larry H Miller Colorado Jeep reveals that your battery is on its last legs, then we can replace it on the spot. Our friendly technicians will inspect the new battery to ensure it meets all the specifications outlined in your owner’s manual before installing it. We’ll then reconnect the battery cables and start your Jeep to test it. If everything works properly, then we’re done!
