How to Change a Car Battery & Choose the Right One (Without Getting Stranded)

Marketing Peach

— 2 min read
How to Change a Car Battery & Choose the Right One (Without Getting Stranded)

Picture this: It’s Tuesday morning. You’re late for work. You jump into your Demio, turn the key… and instead of that sweet vroom, you get silence. Just a sad little click-click-click.

Congratulations - your car battery just ghosted you.

Panic sets in. Do you call your mechanic (who’s probably going to hit you with the proverbial, ‘nipatie dakika kumi’), wait hours, and pay through the nose?

Or… do you fix it yourself?

Good news: changing a car battery is easier than navigating Globe roundabout at 5 PM. No overalls, no drama - just follow this Peach Cars guide.

Step 1: Confirm It’s Actually the Battery (Signs It Has Left the Chat)

Before you blow cash on a new one, check these signs.

  • Click of Death: Engine won’t turn over, but you hear rapid clicks.
  • Dim Lights: Dashboard + headlights look weak, like they skipped breakfast.
  • Sluggish Crank: Starts pole pole, like it needs caffeine.
  • Weird Smell: Rotten egg smell = leaking acid. Step away.
  • Battery Light On: That cute little battery icon? It’s not decorative.

If you tick 2+ of these, yep, battery imechapa.

How to Change Your Car Battery (Like a Boss)

You need:

  • A size 10 or 12 spanner
  • Gloves (safety first!)
  • Wire brush + baking soda
  • New battery

Now let’s do this:

  1. Pop the Hood aka Bonnet & Locate the Patient: That’s the box with two posts - red (+) and black (-).
  2. Disconnect the Old Battery (Golden Rule)Always disconnect NEGATIVE (-) first. Then POSITIVE (+). Tuck cables aside so they don’t touch metal.
  3. Remove Old Battery: Undo the clamp/bracket. Lift carefully - it’s heavy.
  4. Clean the Crime Scene: White crusty stuff? Corrosion. Scrub with baking soda + water. Dry it.
  5. Install New Battery: Reverse order: POSITIVE first, then NEGATIVE. Tighten nuts, close hood. Start engine. Hear that vroom? You just saved yourself time, money, and stress.

How to Choose the Right Battery in Kenya (Don’t Just Buy “brand names”)

The Kenyan terrain isn’t gentle on cars - heat, traffic, sound systems… they all hit your battery hard. Here’s what matters:

Feature

Why It Matters

Size (Group Size)

Must fit your tray - shaking = disaster on potholes.

Maintenance-Free

Sealed, zero topping up. Perfect for busy lives.

Brand & Warranty

Stick to trusted brands: Chloride Exide, Amaron. Look for 12-month+ warranty.

Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)

Helps in cold starts - important if you frequent Limuru/Nanyuki.

Reserve Capacity (RC)

Powers your car if the alternator fails. Handy in Nairobi traffic with radio blasting.

Cost: KSh 7,000 - 15,000 for common cars. Honestly? That’s cheaper than one round of sherehe pale local.

The Real Flex? A Reliable Car from Peach Cars

Sure, changing a battery is a nice skill. But you know what’s better? Owning a car that doesn’t leave you stranded.

Peach Cars, Kenya’s #1 used car marketplace, make sure every car gets a 288-point inspection, covering battery health, engine condition, and everything in between. No guesswork. No surprises. Just pure peace of mind.

  • Transparent pricing
  • Zero scams
  • Easy financing options

Ready for a Car That Won’t Fail You?

📞 Call us: +254 709 726 900 🌐 Browse verified cars: Peach Cars Marketplace

DIY skills? Great. A Peach-certified car? Even better.

Read more