Sometimes, car batteries cause more trouble than they should. Every now and then, a car won’t start because its battery is dead or malfunctioning. Naturally, to solve the problem, you ask for a jump for the battery. However, a car battery can only sustain so many jumps before it eventually needs to be replaced. When it’s out with the old and in with the new, refer to this quick guide to automotive battery disposal.
Suit Up
Never try to disconnect an automotive battery when wearing regular clothes. This process needs to be handled with care and approached properly because it can be dangerous. You’ll need to suit up and wear some protective gear to avoid injury as a result of contact with fluids or acid.
Battery acid is something you never want to come in contact with. Make sure you have on a pair of thick coveralls over your clothes. Layering will save the day. Furthermore, you need to protect any exposed skin on your hands by wearing mechanic gloves. Wear goggles and a face mask to protect your eyes and nose too.
Disconnect the Cable
After you’ve taken the necessary precautions, get ready to take out the battery. Try to remove the battery during the day when there is ample natural light available. However, even in ideal conditions, you may still need to use an industrial light to see inside the hood of the car. Total vision is crucial during the removal process.
Begin the process by disconnecting the cable from the battery’s negative terminal. There will be a symbol to indicate which terminal is which. If you’re not sure, there should be a visual reference in the guidebook for the car, which is often located inside the glove compartment.
Remove and Inspect
Here is where the fun really begins. After you disconnect the cable, the battery is ready for removal. But first, there are other areas you need to set aside. Remove the cable from the positive terminal of the battery. This should be easy after you locate and disconnect the negative terminal.
Next, remove the clip, strap, or any safety feature holding the battery in place. Don’t yank at the strap if it’s giving you trouble. You don’t want to damage anything else under the hood. After removing the battery, inspect it to ensure it’s free from leaks, dents, or marks.
Contact Waste Management
Finally, you need to contact a waste management company. Manufacturers construct car batteries from lead and sulfuric acid. Lead is a toxic metal, and sulfuric acid can cause critical damage. These materials are not things you simply discard in your home trash can.
If you own a car dealership or mechanic shop, you might want to consider having a 12-yard dumpster rental on-site. You can place old car batteries in these containers, and your local waste management company can guide you on how to handle them.
Hopefully, this quick guide to automotive battery disposal helped prepare you to fix and maintain your car.