Kia Battery Replacement Guide
Want to learn how to replace the Kia battery? It’s easy and can be completed in less than 30 minutes from the driveway. Watch the video or follow the steps to replace a Kia battery yourself.
What you will need
To replace the battery in your Kia, you will need a few basic hand tools, such as:
- H6 battery – the most common battery used on Kia vehicles. Battery size of 12 1/16″ x 6 7/8″ x 7 9/16″ (30.6 cm x 17.5 cm x 19.2 cm)
- 10mm wrench
- 12mm sockets
- An extension
- Battery terminal cleaner
- New battery
Make sure to replace your old dead battery with a new battery with the same group size and ampere rating.
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How to Replace Kia Battery
- Ensure your Kia’s ignition is turned off and the parking brakes are engaged. Open the hood and locate the battery on your Kia. In Kia vehicles, the battery is located in the engine compartment.
- The air duct assembly goes on top of the battery on specific Kia models, such as the Optima. This will need to be removed. Other Kia models like Rio and Sedona may not have this cover. Two screws hold this cover in place that will need to be removed. Some models use plastic fasteners, while others use a 10 mm bolt to hold the air duct in place. Once the screws are removed, lift the air intake assembly, as shown in the video clip below.
- Disconnect the negative battery cable. You will need to loosen the nut on the negative terminal. This is a black cable. You will notice a minus (-) or a negative symbol stamped on the battery near the negative battery post. Once you loosen the bolt on the clamp, the cable can be removed from the post. If the clamp does not come off easily, try twisting it as you pull it away from the terminal.
- The next step is to disconnect the positive cable. The positive terminal will either have a plus sign (+) near the post or the word positive printed. You can easily distinguish the positive battery post from the red plastic cover or cable.
- Remove the battery bracket holding the battery.
- Use both hands to lift the old battery, as car batteries are very heavy. Batteries may have a handle to help you with the removal. Carefully lift the old battery from the tray and set it on the ground.
- Once the old battery is removed, carefully install the new battery. Reinstall the battery bracket. Make sure that the battery does not move. Try to move the battery back and forth to ensure that the battery is secure.
- Before you reconnect the cables, clean the terminals using the battery postbrush tool. Next, connect the positive cable and fasten the terminal bolt. Connect the negative battery terminal and tighten the bolt last. Start the car. Monitor lights on your instrument cluster. Confirm that no warning lights are illuminated and all the electronic controls work. Turn on the radio to confirm that it works; if not, re-enter the security code that should be included in the documentation with the car.
If you have any warning lights on ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC), drive your Kia for a few minutes.
Start the engine and turn the steering wheel to the left and right several times. The engine must be running, and the car must be in Park. This procedure resets the steering angle sensor, the ABS, and the traction control warning lights.
This DIY tutorial was written to assist owners of Kia vehicles such as the Optima, Rio, Soul, Forte, Magentis, Sportage, Sorento, and Sedona in replacing their car batteries, mainly for model years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Kia battery size can vary by model. The most common Kia battery sizes are Group Size H6 and 124R. For example, battery type H6 was used in the 2011-2016 Kia Optima, and group size 124R was used in the Kia Sorento 2010-2016.
Conclusion
Replacing the battery on a Kia takes less than 30 minutes. If warning lights come up once you replace the Kia battery, start the engine and turn the steering wheel left and right several times. If the warning remains, follow this guide for diagnosing vehicle problems like a Pro Mechanic.
Notes
- We recommend wearing eye protection when replacing the battery on your Kia.
- It is important to remove the negative terminal before the positive terminal. A short circuit can occur when the positive terminal touches any metallic part of the car if the negative terminal is still connected to the battery.
- Never smoke or light a fire while working near your Kia car batteries.
- Replace the battery in your Kia with a replacement with the same size, ratings, and cold cranking amps (CCA).
Torque Specifications
- Positive Battery Terminal Bolt: 10 Nm ( 7.4 lb-ft)
- Negative Battery Terminal Bolt: 6 Nm (4.4 lb-ft)
- Mounting bracket bolt: 12 Nm (8.8 lb-ft)
