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.
Porsche recommends testing your battery every 2 years. To replace your battery, check out this helpful tutorial above from the YouTube channel, Christian Delatorre. Unlike most cars, the battery is not located under the hood. As a result, you’ll find that most auto parts stores will not replace the battery for you for free. So, you’ll either have to go to the stealership, an independent mechanic, or do-it-yourself, which we recommend. Detailed battery testing and replacement instructions can be found below.
Seat bolts: 37 ft-lbs (apply medium strength thread locker as well)
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 your battery is bad, start by gaining access to your battery.
- The battery is located under the driver’s seat (left-hand drive); start by moving the driver’s seat all the way forward.
- Access the driver’s rear seat rails and remove the middle plastic trim pieces on each seat rail using a flat head screwdriver; then use a M10 triple-square bit and ratchet to remove the two rear seat rail bolts.
- Now, move the driver seat as far back as possible.
- On the front seat rails, remove the plastic trim pieces using a flat head screwdriver; then use a M10 triple-square bit and ratchet to remove the two front seat rail bolts.
- With all the seat rail bolts removed, tilt the seat back.
- Lift up the carpet section underneath the seat to fully expose the battery area.
Step 3: Remove the battery.
- Remove the plastic battery cover by undoing the 4 clips on each corner.
- Remove the two battery brackets using a 10mm socket with an extension; there is a bracket on the front left corner and another on the left side of the battery in the middle.
- Remove the battery terminal connectors using a 10mm socket and ratchet.
- Slide the battery back slightly and lift it out.
Step 4: Insert your new battery and reinstall everything.
- Insert your new battery and repeat these instructions in reverse.
- Just hand tighten the battery terminals and battery bracket bolts.
- Re-install the battery cover and plastic trim pieces.
- When fastening the 10mm triple square seat bolts, apply medium strength thread locker and torque them to 37 ft-lbs with a torque wrench.
- Save your old battery to recycle at your nearest auto parts store.
- Clean up your work area and put away all your tools.
- You’re all done!
