How do I replace the battery in my Jeep?
A confident do-it-your-selfer can replace a vehicle battery. Start by checking your vehicle owner’s manual for the battery’s proper size and location. Find the positive and negative posts. The positive post will have a red plastic cover over it. Look for a + sign stamped onto the battery or printed on a nearby label. Loosen the negative (-) terminal bolt and remove the cable. Be sure not to touch the positive post. Once you loosen the bolt, use a terminal puller to remove the cable. Repeat the sequence with the positive post.
Now remove the clamp or retaining system that keeps the battery in place. Carefully lift out the old battery. Look for any corrosion on the cables and remove it with a wire brush or terminal cleaning tool.
Drop in the new battery so that the positive post lines up with the red cable. Secure it with the battery retaining clamp that you removed earlier. If the battery has anti-corrosion washers, put them in place now and use a thin layer of anti-corrosion grease to prevent buildup. Tighten the positive cable and then do it all over again with the negative (-) black cable.
Make sure the battery is secure and congratulations: you’ve replaced your car’s battery!
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- Jeep
- Grand Cherokee 2008
- Battery / Replace
1. Getting Started - Prepare for the repair
2. Open the Hood - How to pop the hood and prop it open
3. Access Battery - Learn where the battery is located
4. Remove Bracket - Take off the bracket that secures the battery
Car Displayed: 2008 Jeep Commander Limited 5.7L V8
5. Remove Cables - How to disconnect the cables the right way
6. Clean Cables - Clean with baking soda, water and a wire brush
7. New Battery - Install new battery and prevent corrosion
8. Secure Battery - Replace the bracket to secure the new battery
Car Displayed: 2008 Jeep Commander Limited 5.7L V8
9. More Info. - Additional thoughts on replacing the battery
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The video above shows you how to replace the battery in your 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. We recommend changing the battery in Jeeps every 4 years. Although some batteries last much longer, most batteries begin breaking down chemically after four years, so you could experience dimmer headlights and other negative effects before you have a dead battery in your Grand Cherokee that you need to replace.
Replacing the battery in your Grand Cherokee involves removing the terminals. When you reconnect the terminals, your radio presets are likely to be cleared out. In some Grand Cherokees, you may need to re-enter a security code to get your radio to work again. Check for this code in your owners manual - it will usually be either a sticker or small card in the booklet. If you can't find it, call Jeep and they will give you the code for free. In many Jeeps, the transmission "learns" how you drive over time and makes adjustments, so you may experience altered driving dynamics as your car re-learns your driving style after changing the battery.
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Hans Angermeier is an ASE certified Maintenance and Light Repair Technician and has produced over 100,000 videos showing drivers how to fix things on their cars. He has broad expertise on basic repair procedures covering the majority of cars on the road. Over the past 10 years, Hans has been focused on building CarCareKiosk, which is visited by millions of drivers each month.
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