Kia Forte 12V
Automotive Battery Replacement Guide
How to change a dead 12 volt car battery
in the engine bay of a 1st generation 2010 to 2013 Kia Forte with photos.
 2013 Forte 12V Battery |
 Loosen "-" Terminal Nut |
 Pull Off Negative Terminal |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the first generation (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013) Kia Forte
in changing a dead 12 volt car battery located in the engine bay. Owners of other Kia or Hyundai vehicles such as the Optima, Cadenza, K900, Sorento, Sportage, Sedona, Soul, Elantra, Veloster, Sonata, Azera, Tucson, Santa Fe, Genesis, Cerato, Spectra, Accent, Sephia, i20, i30, ix35, i40 and Equus may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. A few compatible replacement "Group Size" 121R batteries with their part numbers are as follows: EverStart MAXX-121R (Walmart), AutoCraft 121R-1, PowerStride 6121RMF, NAPA Legend BAT 75121R and Odyssey PC1200MJT. The tools needed to complete this procedure include a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet, a 12mm socket, a 6" extension bar and a 3/8" drive ratchet. |
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 Cover & Tuck Away |
 Open Black Plastic Cover |
 "+" Battery Terminal |
| The first step is
to open the hood. Then move to the right front area of the engine bay where the 12 volt car battery is located. Loosen the nut on the "-" negative terminal by turning it counterclockwise with the 10mm socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. Pull the negative terminal off the battery post, wrap it in a small towel, and tuck it away on the side to help prevent accidental electrical contact. Flip open the black plastic cover on the "+" positive battery terminal. |
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 Loosen Counterclockwise |
 Pull Off Positive Terminal |
 Move Away Terminal |
| Loosen the 10mm nut
on the positive terminal by turning it counterclockwise. Pull the negative terminal off the "-" battery post, close the plastic cover and tuck it away on the left side to help prevent accidental contact. |
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 12mm Socket & Extension |
 Battery Clamp Bar |
 Loosen Counterclockwise |
| Attach the 12mm
socket to the 6 inch extension bar and the 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench. Loosen the single bolt that holds the battery clamp or "hold down bar" at the front edge of the battery by turning it counterclockwise a few turns. You may not need to entirely remove the 12mm bolt in order to lift out the old battery. |
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 Pull Off Battery Cover |
 Lift Out Old Battery |
 Clean Off Battery Tray |
| Pull the battery
cover (A.K.A. box or heat shield) off the old battery and set it aside in a
safe place. Clean off any debris from the plastic battery tray so that the new battery will rest evenly on it. |
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 Lower In New 121R Battery |
 Tighten Battery Hold Down Bar |
 Replace Battery Box |
| Lower a new Group
Size 121R 12 volt car battery in to the engine bay with the "+" positive
battery post on the left (passenger) side and the "-" negative post on the
right (driver) side. Make sure that the metal battery clamp is over the front edge of the new battery. Tighten the battery hold down bar by turning the 12mm bolt in the clockwise direction until it is snug. Try to avoid over tightening the battery clamp bar to prevent from damaging the bottom front edge of the new battery which could lead to an acid leak. Lower the heat shield cover down over the new battery. |
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 Push On Positive Terminal |
 Tighten 10mm Clockwise |
 Close Plastic "+" Cover |
| First, push the
positive terminal on to the "+" battery post on the left (passenger side) of
the new battery. Tighten the positive terminal nut by turning it clockwise with the 10mm socket and 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench until it is snug. Try to avoid over tightening the terminal to prevent from damaging the battery post which could cause an acid leak. Close the plastic cover over the positive terminal. |
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 Push On Negative Terminal |
 Tighten "-" Terminal Nut |
 New 12V Battery Installed |
| Push the negative
terminal on to the "-" battery post. Tighten the 10mm negative battery terminal nut in the clockwise direction. Test the new 12V battery by starting the engine and turning on the headlights. Be sure to adjust the time on the clock and program your favorite radio station presets before driving. For more,
check out my other
2010-2013 Kia Forte DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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