How to Replace a BMW 3 Series Battery
by Dustin Thornton
As with any other automotive part, vehicle batteries periodically need replacement. A drained battery is unreliable and can leave you stranded. You can replace the battery on your BMW 3 Series yourself instead of taking it to a mechanic, saving time and money. Battery replacement is a relatively generic procedure with all vehicles. However, the 3 Series battery is in the trunk instead of the engine compartment. Replacing the battery in your BMW 3 Series requires a few basic tools and should take you about half an hour.
Step 1
Open the trunk of your BMW 3 Series. Wear safety glasses for protection.
Step 2
Lift the floor panel up and out of the trunk. The battery is located on the right side of the trunk under a plastic battery cover with three fasteners.
Step 3
Loosen the two fasteners on the top of the battery cover by turning them counterclockwise using a flat-head screwdriver. Loosen the other fastener along the right side of the battery cover using a flat-head screwdriver.
Step 4
Lift the battery cover off and remove it. You may need to pull the side trim panel in the trunk up to extract the battery cover.
Step 5
Remove the two bolts securing the protective bar that covers the battery using a socket wrench. Remove the protective bar.
Step 6
Loosen the nut on the negative battery cable. Remove the cable from the battery terminal and push it out of the way so that there is no chance of it contacting the terminal. The negative cable is usually black and has "Neg" or "-" on it.
Step 7
Loosen the nut on the positive battery cable. Remove the cable from the battery terminal and push it to the side. The positive cable is usually red and has "Pos" or "+" on it.
Step 8
Lift the battery straight out of the trunk. Be careful, as the battery is relatively heavy.
Step 9
Place the new battery in the battery compartment. Connect the positive cable to the positive battery terminal first. Tighten the nut on the battery cable.
Step 10
Connect the negative cable to the negative battery terminal. Tighten the nut on the battery cable.
Step 11
Reinstall the protective bar on the battery and replace the battery cover.
Step 12
Dispose of the old battery properly by taking it to a battery recycling center.
References
Tips
- Clean the battery cable terminals using a wire brush and battery cleaner if there is any corrosion.
Things You'll Need
- Safety glasses
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Wrenches
Warnings
- Be careful when handling a battery. Don't shake it around, turn it upside down or drop it.
Writer Bio
Dustin Thornton has been writing since 2003. He has served as a newspaper columnist for the "Troy Tropolitan" and a contributor to various websites. Thornton received a partial scholarship for an outstanding essay in 2003. He has a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Troy University.
