Before you begin, ensure the vehicle is turned off and parked in a safe location.
1. Disconnect the Negative Terminal:
- Open the hood of your vehicle and locate the battery.
- The battery is usually positioned in the engine bay, towards the front of the car.
- Identify the negative terminal of the battery, which is typically marked with a "-" sign or is black.
- Using a suitable wrench, loosen the nut or bolt that secures the negative terminal cable to the battery.
- Be cautious not to touch any other metal components with the wrench to avoid short circuits.
2. Remove the Negative Terminal:
- Once the nut or bolt is loosened, carefully lift the negative terminal cable off the battery terminal.
- Set the cable aside, ensuring it does not come into contact with any metal surfaces.
3. Disconnect the Positive Terminal:
- Locate the positive terminal of the battery, which is usually marked with a "+" sign or is red.
- Loosen the nut or bolt that secures the positive terminal cable to the battery.
- Be equally cautious when handling the positive terminal to prevent short circuits.
4. Remove the Positive Terminal:
- Gently lift the positive terminal cable off the battery terminal.
- Place the cable aside, making sure it does not touch any metal surfaces.
5. Remove the Battery Hold-Down:
- Locate the battery hold-down clamp or bracket that secures the battery in place.
- Depending on your vehicle, the hold-down mechanism may vary. It might be a simple clamp, a bolt-on bracket, or a locking mechanism.
- Carefully release or remove the hold-down to disengage the battery.
6. Remove the Battery:
- Once the battery is no longer secured, carefully lift it out of the battery tray.
- Be mindful of any surrounding components or cables that may get caught or damaged during the removal.
7. Reconnect in Reverse Order:
- When reinstalling the new or charged battery, follow the steps in reverse order.
- First, place the battery back in the tray and secure it with the hold-down clamp or bracket.
- Then, reconnect the positive terminal cable to the positive terminal, followed by the negative terminal cable to the negative terminal.
- Tighten the nuts or bolts on both terminals securely.
8. Test the Battery and Systems:
- After reconnecting the battery, start your vehicle and check that the computer and radio are functioning normally.
By following these steps, you can safely remove and replace the battery in your 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320 without disrupting the vehicle's electrical systems.
