A car battery has several simple, yet important tasks. It accumulates electrical energy created by the alternator while the engine is running. When the car is turned off, electricity stored in the battery powers all systems that still need to run and provides power for starting the engine. Because modern batteries are very reliable, we often don’t think about our car battery until we experience an issue. In most cases, car batteries last anywhere from 2 to 4 years. However, factors like your driving habits and the environment you’re in will impact the lifespan.
- While we typically like to recommend you do-it-yourself to save money, unlike a normal car, changing out the battery on a Porsche Macan requires a special device to “register” the battery to the car. This registration process allows the vehicle to adjust its settings to adapt to the type of battery you have. Failure to register a new battery could lead to premature life of the battery or even damage to your alternator. Though the diagnostic tool is about $200, it will come in handy for resetting the service light and diagnosing issues.
If you don’t want to invest in the tool though, we recommend you take it to an independent Porsche mechanic. If you want to do-it-yourself, check out this video from the YouTube channel, P – Tech. Detailed step-by-step instructions along with the parts and tools you’ll need are below.
Tools Required:
Parts Required:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Step 1: Test your battery
- Start by testing your battery. You can do this by taking your car to your nearest auto parts store.
- To test the battery yourself, purchase a simple battery tester such as this one.
- Open vehicle’s hood, then locate the remote battery terminals on the driver’s side under a plastic cover.
- Remove the plastic battery terminal cover and attached the battery tester.
- Run through the battery tester’s battery and crank tests. Here is a helpful video from Scotty Kilmer.
Step 2: If replacing the battery, first read these precautions
- If you are replacing a wet cell battery, make sure not to tilt the battery as acid may emerge from the vent hole. Do not allow battery acid to come into contact with the eyes, skin or clothing.
- Make sure there are no flames or flammable materials in the vicinity while handling the battery. Also, be sure not to allow the positive and negative battery terminals or cables from touching one another or you could create sparks.
- Do not place tools or other similar object on the battery, as it may cause a short circuit and explosion.
Step 3: Gain access to the battery
- Make sure your vehicle is off and the key is not in the ignition.
- The battery is located in the trunk under the floor cover and spare tire. Lift up the floor cover to gain access to the spare tire.
- Remove the spare tire by unscrewing the large plastic that holds it in place.
- Next, remove the stock subwoofer to gain full access to the battery. There are two T30 Torx screws at each side of the subwoofer. Remove these screws and carefully slide out the subwoofer.
- Before you can remove the subwoofer, locate the wire connector at the bottom side and release it by hand.
- Lift the carpet lid to expose the battery.
Step 4: Remove the old battery
- Locate the bolt that holds down the battery retaining bracket.
- Using a ratchet and a 13mm socket, remove the bolt and move the bracket to the side.
- Locate the vent line on the side of the battery that faces the passenger side; pull of the vent line and move it out of the way.
- Locate the negative battery terminal at the passenger battery side; using a 10mm socket and ratchet, loosen the negative terminal and remove it from the battery post. Do not remove the nut completely or you can damage the terminal bolt.
- Next, locate the positive battery terminal, which is on the driver’s side. It has a plastic cover, which you can remove by simply lifting it up. Loosen the positive battery terminal and remove it from the battery.
- Grab the battery by the handles at the top of it and remove it from the car. Notice that there are metal tabs at the bottom of the trunk.
Step 5: Install the new battery
- When installing the new battery, make sure the bottom slides into the tabs mentioned in previous step.
- You will need to collect some battery information in order to register it to your car; looking at the top of the battery, write down the part number, serial number, battery type (Wet cell or AGM) and amperage (in Ah).
- Refit the vent line, both battery terminals, and battery retaining bracket.
- Reconnect the subwoofer wiring connector; locate two metal clips at the bottom of the subwoofer and two metal pins at the bottom of the trunk. Make sure the clips fit onto the pins when reinstalling the subwoofer.
- Re-install your spare tire.
Step 6: Register the new battery to your vehicle
- Inside the car, connect the diagnostic tool to the OBD2 connector and turn the key to the “ON” position.
- Navigate through menus within the diagnostic tool, as shown on the video from Review My stuff.
- Locate the battery registration feature and input your battery information.
- You’re all done!
