Pliers loosening a battery terminal clamp on a Motorcraft battery

Before hammering the terminal down onto the battery post, remove its bolt (especially if it's very difficult to remove) and spread the terminal until it can drop all the way to the BOTTOM of the post without effort. Make sure the bolt hole is clean (drill it if necessary), and apply a thin layer of electrical grease (NOT dielectric, chassis, or thermal greases, or anti-seize, or red battery-spray slime) to the entire terminal & inside the bolt holes, including any exposed wire strands. When tightening the bolt, use a tool to prevent its square head from turning against the lead terminal's stop. ONLY tighten the bolt enough to prevent the terminal from rotating on the post by hand.

The MotorCraft TestedToughMAX is the best battery on the market, with the best warranty (particularly if you pay a Ford dealership to install it). It's among the most-expensive, but it's worth it, especially if you buy when there's a sale. Check here for coupons & service offers from Ford.

Owner caption May 2015 · Photo 5447 of 6546