How to Charge the Battery for a 745i BMW
by Dwight Malone
Charging the battery on a BMW 745i is a simple process that virtually anyone can do. The battery might be dead for a number of reasons. Cold weather can wreak havoc on batteries, as they are able to produce less cranking power as the temperature drops. Also, older batteries may not hold a charge as well as newer ones. If your BMW has sat for a long period of time, the battery will slowly discharge until the point at which it doesn't have enough power to start the car. However, you can quickly and easily charge the battery with a charger that's available at most auto parts stores.
Step 1
Pop the hood and find the battery on the BMW 745i. It's on the right rear side of the engine compartment, along the firewall.
Step 2
Lift off the plastic cover on the battery compartment to expose the battery and connecting terminals.
Step 3
Place the battery charger on the ground by the front left tire.
Step 4
Connect the red (positive) clamp from the battery charger to the red (positive) clamp and post on the car's battery.
Step 5
Connect the black (negative) clamp from the battery charger to the engine block or an unpainted part of the BMW's frame. Clamp it as far away from the battery as the charger cable will reach.
Step 6
Set the battery charger's voltage switch to 12 volts. If it is a 12-volt charger and does not have a voltage switch, skip this step.
Step 7
Set the desired amp rating, which may range from 6 to 30 amps, depending on the model. The higher the amperage, the faster the charge rate of the battery. If the battery charger has only one amp setting and no switch, skip this step.
Step 8
Take the cord from the battery charger and plug it into an outlet.
Step 9
Read the battery charger's manual to find out the appropriate charging time for the battery.
Step 10
Unplug the charger from the outlet once you've reached the desired charging time; then disconnect the charging cables from the BMW.
Step 11
Start the vehicle.
References
Things You'll Need
- Battery charger
Warnings
- Read the instruction manual on your charger--charging times are different, depending on the particular model.
- Do not overcharge your battery; this could damage it.
Writer Bio
Dwight Malone is a journalist who has worked for various Chicago-area newspapers, including the "Chicago Tribune" and "Naperville Sun." He has been a writer, editor and graphic designer since 2000. Malone studied journalism at Eastern Illinois University.
