Owners of other Chrysler Group vehicles such as the Dart, Challenger, Durango, Charger, Grand Caravan, 200, 300, RAM C/V Tradesman, Jeep Patriot, Compass and Cherokee may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The Chrysler Group LLC brand OEM battery in this 2012 Avenger is part number 56041380AE.

A few other compatible Group Size 86 replacement batteries include the EverStart MAXX-86 from Wal-Mart, AutoCraft 86-1, Napa BAT 7586 or BAT 8486, and Duracell SLI86 or SLI86M.

The tools needed to replace the 12V battery include a lug nut wrench, a floor jack, two jack stands, a 7mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench, a flathead screwdriver, a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench and a 10mm socket.

Then slightly loosen the 5 lug nuts on the front driver side wheel with the tire iron.

Raise the front driver side of the car with the floor jack and securely support it with two jack stands.

Spin off the 5 lug nuts and set them aside in a safe place.

Pull off the plastic wheel cover or "hub cap" and set it aside in a safe place.

You may need a pair of needle nose pliers to remove the fasteners.

Pull the splash shield out of the wheel well and set it aside in a safe place.

Once the shield is out of the way, you'll see the 12V car battery resting on a shelf in the wheel well.

Spin out the two bolts and remove the cross brace bar.

Pull the negative terminal off the battery post and tuck it away behind the battery. You may also choose to cover the negative battery terminal with a rag or a latex glove to prevent accidental contact with the battery post.

Then loosen the 10mm nut on the positive "+" (red cable) terminal and pull it off the battery post.

The OEM Group Size 86 battery from Chrysler Group LLC is part number 56041380AE.

Lower the "+" positive terminal (the red cable) on to the positive battery post first.

Tighten the nut on the positive battery terminal in the clockwise direction with the 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench.

Double check that both of the battery terminals are tight before moving on to the next steps.

Insert the metal hook at the inner end of the battery clamp bar in to the mounting hole above the battery.

Tighten the battery bar bolt in the clockwise direction with the 13mm socket and ratcheting wrench.

Re-install the cross brace bar and spin in the two bolts by hand to prevent them from becoming cross threaded.

Re-insert the larger outer part of each fastener first before pushing in the center piece to secure it in place.

Double check that all 6 of the pop rivets and the 3 screws are securely in place on the wheel well splash guard before moving on to the next steps.

Spin on the 5 lug nuts in the clockwise direction by hand to prevent them from becoming cross threaded.

Lower the car from the jack stands and the floor jack.

Continue progressively tightening the lug nuts in the clockwise direction in a star pattern to about 1/4 turn past hand tight or 100 ft-lbs of torque. It would be best to use a torque wrench or an impact wrench with a torque stick to properly tighten the lug nuts.

Test the new 12V automotive battery by starting the engine and turning on the headlights.

It would be a good idea to check that the lug nuts are still tight after your next trip.

For more, check out my other Dodge Avenger Repair & Maintenance Guides.