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Kia Rio 12V Automotive Battery Replacement Guide
How to change a dead 12 volt car battery in the engine bay of a 3rd generation 2012 to 2016 Kia Rio with photos.

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2014 Rio 12V Battery
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Loosen 10mm Terminal Nut
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Pull Off Negative Terminal
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and also the revised 2016 model year) Kia Rio in changing a dead 12 volt automotive battery located in the engine bay.

Owners of other Kia and Hyundai vehicles such as the Optima, Forte, Cadenza, K900, Sorento, Sportage, Sedona, Soul, Elantra, Veloster, Sonata, Azera, Tucson, Santa Fe, Genesis and Equus may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible replacement "Group Size" 121 or 121R batteries with their part numbers are as follows: EverStart MAXX-121R, AutoCraft Gold 121R-1, Super Start # 121R72, Napa Legend BAT 75121R, Powerstride # 6121RMF, and Carquest 121R-70.

The tools needed to replace the battery include a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet, a 12mm socket with a long 6" to 9" extension bar and a 3/8" or 1/4" ratcheting wrench.



 
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Cover & Tuck Away
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Open Plastic "+" Cover
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Positive Battery Terminal
The first two steps are to open the hood and then move to the right (driver) side of the engine bay.

The 12 volt car battery is located right behind the engine air box and next to the electrical fuse box.

First loosen the nut on the negative "-" terminal by turning it counterclockwise with the 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench.

Pull the negative terminal straight off the "-" battery post, wrap it with a small towel and then tuck it away on the side of the battery to help prevent accidental contact.

Next, flip open the plastic cover on the positive "+" terminal.

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Loosen "+" Terminal Nut
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Pull Off Positive Terminal
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Tuck Away On Side
Loosen the 10mm nut on the positive terminal by turning it in the counterclockwise direction.

Pull the positive terminal straight off the "+" battery post.

Close the plastic cover over the terminal and tuck it away on the side of the battery.

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Pull Off Battery Shield
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12mm Battery Clamp Bolt
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Extension Bars & 12mm
Lift the battery cover (A.K.A. "heat shield" or "battery box") straight off the old 12V battery.

The old battery is held in place to the plastic battery by a hold down clamp located at the bottom of the front edge.

Attach an extension bar and a 12mm socket to the 3/8" drive or 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench depending on your socket.

Loosen the battery clamp bar bolt a few turns in the counterclockwise direction.



 

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Loosen Counterclockwise
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Lift Out Old Battery
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Old Battery Removed
You don't need to entirely remove the battery clamp bolt in order to lift out the old battery.

Gently lift the old battery out of the engine bay and set it on the ground.

Try to avoid tipping over or dropping the battery to prevent from having acid leak out.

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Rocket Brand OEM Battery
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Part # CMF60L-BCI
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Clean Off Battery Tray
The OEM group size 121R battery in this 2014 Kia Rio was a Rocket brand part number CMF60L-BCI.

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 Battery
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Tighten 12mm Clamp Bolt
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Replace Heat Shield
Carefully lower in the new battery in to the engine bay with the positive "+" post on the left side and the negative "-" post on the right side.

Tighten the 12mm bolt on the battery hold down bar in the clockwise direction until it is snug.

Lower the heat shield or battery box over the new battery.

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Push On Positive Terminal
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Tighten 10mm Clockwise
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Close Plastic Cover
First push the positive terminal on to the "+" terminal on the left side of the battery.

Tighten the 10mm nut on the positive terminal in the clockwise direction until it is snug.

Try to avoid over tightening the terminal nut to prevent from damaging the battery post.

Flip the plastic cover closed over the positive terminal.

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Replace Negative Terminal
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Tighten Negative Terminal Nut
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12V Battery Replaced
Then push on the negative terminal on to the "-" post on the right side of the new battery.

Tighten the 10mm terminal nut in the clockwise direction until it is snug.

Test the new battery by starting the engine. If the engine won't start, try removing the terminals, clean the battery posts and terminals with a wire brush before re-attaching them.

For more, check out my other 2012-2016 Kia Rio DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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