Honda Civic 12V Car Battery
Replacement Guide
How to change a dead 12 volt automotive
battery in the engine bay of a 9th generation 2012-2015 Honda Civic sedan.
 2013 Civic Engine Bay |
 Pull Off Wire Harness |
 Nut Under Wire Harness |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the ninth generation (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and probably
also the 2016 model year) Honda Civic in changing a dead 12V
automotive battery in the engine bay. Owners of other Honda or Acura vehicles such as the Accord, Crosstour, CR-V, CR-Z, Fit, Insight, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline, Stream, ILX, TSX, TLX, TL, RLX, RDX and MDX may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The OEM car battery in this 2013 Civic LX sedan was a Honda part number 31500-TR0A-A01. Other compatible replacement "Group Size 51R" batteries with their part numbers include the following: EverStart MAXX-51R (Walmart), Bosch 51R450B, AutoCraft 51R-2, Napa # BAT 6551R and Optima YellowTop D51R The tools needed to replace the battery include a flat head screwdriver, a deep well 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet or a standard 10mm hand wrench. |
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 Pull Off Rear Harness Fastener |
 Loosen Negative Terminal Nut |
 Pull Off "-" Terminal |
| The 12V automotive
battery is located at the front right (driver) side of the engine bay. Pull the plastic wire harness fastener off the front of the battery hold down bar. Then pull of the other wire harness fastener on the rear of the battery hold down bar. Loosen the negative "-" battery terminal first by rotating the nut counterclockwise with a 10mm socket and 1/4" ratcheting wrench. Pull the negative terminal straight off the "-" battery post. |
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 Wrap Terminal In Towel |
 Open "+" Terminal Cover |
 Loosen 10mm Nut |
| Cover the negative
terminal in a small towel and tuck it away on the side of the battery to
help prevent accidental contact. Then open the red plastic cover on the "+" positive battery terminal. Loosen the 10mm nut on the positive battery terminal by turning it counterclockwise. |
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 Pull Off Positive Terminal |
 Cover "+" Terminal With Rag |
 Loosen 10mm Battery Clamp |
| Pull the positive
terminal straight off the "+" battery post, close the plastic cover, wrap it
in a rag and tuck it away on the left side of the battery to help prevent
accidental contact. Loosen the nut on the front of the battery hold down bar by turning it counterclockwise with a deep well 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench or use a standard 10mm hand wrench. Then slightly loosen the 10mm nut on the rear of the battery hold down bar by turning it counterclockwise. |
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 Pull Out "J" Hook Bar |
 Lift Off Hold Down Bar |
 Pull Off Battery Box |
| Only loosen the
battery hold down clamp nuts until the "J" hook bars can be removed from
their mounting sockets. Lift the clamp off the battery and set it aside in a safe place. Pull the black plastic battery box (A.K.A. "cover" or "shield") off the battery and set it aside. |
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 Pull Out Old Battery |
 Old 51R Battery & Cover |
 Honda # 31500-TR0A-A01 |
| Carefully lift the
old battery out of the engine bay and try to avoid tipping or dropping it. The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) "Group Size 51R" battery in this 2013 Civic LX sedan was Honda part number 31500-TR0A-A01. |
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 Clean Off Battery Tray |
 Lower In New 12V Battery |
 Replace Plastic Battery Shield |
| Clean off any
debris from the battery tray in the engine bay so that the new battery will
rest evenly. Carefully lower the new 12V battery in to the engine bay with the "+" positive battery post on the left side and the "-" negative post on the right (driver) side. Lower the black plastic battery box over the new battery. |
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 Lower Battery Clamp Bar |
 Re-Insert Rear "J" Hook Bar |
 Re-Insert Front "J" Hook Bar |
| Carefully lower the
hold down bar over the new battery while trying to avoid contact with the
battery posts. Re-insert the "J" hook bars in to their sockets at the front and back of the battery tray. |
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 Tighten Rear 10mm Nut |
 Tighten Front 10mm Nut |
 Push On Positive Terminal |
| Tighten the two
nuts at the top of the battery hold down bar by turning them clockwise with
the deep well 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench.
If you've had a problem with corrosion (blue or white powder) building up on the terminals or battery posts, I'd recommend installing some felt anti-corrosion washers over the battery posts. Push the "+" (red plastic cover) terminal on to the positive battery post. |
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 Tighten 10mm Clockwise |
 Push On Plastic Cover |
 Push On "-" Terminal |
| Tighten the 10mm
positive terminal nut in the clockwise direction until it is snug. Do not over tighten the terminal nut to prevent from damaging the battery post. Close the red plastic cover over the positive battery terminal. |
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 Tighten Negative 10mm Nut |
 New Battery Installed |
| Push the negative
terminal on to the "-" battery post.
Tighten the 10mm terminal nut in the clockwise direction. Test the new 12V battery by starting the engine. Be sure to adjust the time on the clock and set up your radio station presets before driving the vehicle. For more,
check out my other
2012-2015 Honda Civic DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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