Grab your tools and pick a few you will need. The battery terminal cables are secured around the terminals using nuts and bolts. You will need a crescent wrench or an adjustable wrench, vise-pliers, a socket wrench, and vise pliers to do this. A socket wrench or socket 10mm (0.4in) is recommended since most car battery cables come with this size nut. You will need another pair of adjustable scissors to secure the bolt head.

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Although it may sound silly, you should also bring a hammer. You can loosen stubborn terminal cables by giving them a gentle tap.

A battery terminal cleaner is also a smart investment. This inexpensive and handy tool can remove corrosion from the terminal posts as well as the clamps at the ends of cables. This tool also primes your new battery posts for better connections to the terminal cables. A good narrow metal wire brush can also be used. You can also pick up a can corrosion protection to help prevent future sulfate buildup.

Even if you can fix your car’s battery on your own, don’t make hasty decisions. Before you crawl under the hood of your car, be sure you have all of the necessary gear. Keep the baking soda and water solution that you have prepared for cleaning your terminals handy. The terminal cables will need to be cleaned more thoroughly. Make a few more, then clean them with a paintbrush.

To tighten the bolt, you’ll need an adjustable wrench or a crescent wrench.

Vise pliers and a socket wrench are also needed. A socket wrench or socket 10mm (0.4in) is recommended since most car battery cables come with this size nut. You will need another pair of adjustable scissors to secure the bolt head.

To remove corrosion and contaminants from your battery terminals, you will need a wire brush and some rough-grit sandpaper (P80). Corrosion can prevent voltage flow to your car’s battery and in turn, prevent your alternator from charging the battery.