Replacing the battery in your 2016-2025 Volvo XC90 is an important maintenance task that prevents unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs down the road and maintains the integrity of your vehicle’s electrical systems. Typically, a car battery only lasts three to five years before it needs to be replaced. We recommend regular scans at the three-year mark to ensure the battery is still in good shape. For more information, see our guide “2016-2025 Volvo XC90 – How to Check the Car Battery Condition,” where we show you how to check the status of your battery using a YOUCANIC battery tester. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for safe battery replacement.
The H8 AGM battery is held in place by a strap, which should be tightened. The H7 AGM battery does not have a strap. When replacing the start battery, use a new battery with the same specifications and dimensions. The manuals also mention a support battery for vehicles with the Start/Stop function, with specifications: 12V, 170 CCA, dimensions 5.9×3.5×5.1 inches (150×90×130 mm), and a capacity of 10 Ah .
Battery Size
- H7 AGM:
- Dimensions: 12.4×6.9×7.5 inches (315×175×190 mm);
- Capacity: 80 Ah;
- Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 800 A .
- H8 AGM:
- Dimensions: 13.9×6.9×7.5 inches (353×175×190 mm)
- Capacity: 95 Ah
- Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 850 A.
Required Tools
- Socket set
- Battery cleaning supplies: terminal cleaning brush, Battery cleaner solution, paper towels
- Protective gear: gloves, goggles
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Ensure your 2016-2025 Volvo XC90 is turned off, on level ground, and in park.
- The battery in the Volvo XC90 can be found in the car’s trunk. Walk to the back of your vehicle and open the trunk.
- The battery can be found on the left side of the trunk behind a panel. Lift the trunk floor panel and remove the two side panels to reveal the battery.
Note: the second panel that must be removed will require tools.
- Disconnect the terminals using a socket wrench. Start with the negative connection (-), found near the back of the battery.
- Then disconnect the positive connection (+), which is found under the red box in the middle of the battery. Lift part of the panel to access the positive terminal. Push the cables to the side, away from each other, to prevent accidental contact.
⚠️Warning: Wear gloves to protect your skin if the terminals are corroded. - Remove the large black box on top of the battery by unscrewing the bolt on the back and unclipping the clamps on the side.
- Unscrew the 13mm bolt on the front of the battery that keeps the battery in place. It is connected to the vehicle’s floor and might be difficult to access.
- Before removing the old battery, note the location of the terminals because you will need to place the new battery in the same orientation. The positive terminal and the negative must be easily accessible.
- Remove the drain hose from the old battery, if it has one, and place it on the new battery. Note that AGM batteries don’t usually require the drian hose.
- Before installing the new battery, check the condition of the battery tray and clean it if necessary. Carefully slide the new battery in place, ensuring no wires will be stuck underneath, and connect the drain spout from the battery to the drain port in the vehicle.
- Secure the battery in place by screwing the battery hold down back in place.
- Place the black box back on top, making sure the clamps and the screw are secure.
- Reconnect the terminals in reverse order, connecting the positive terminal first, then the negative terminal last.
- Finally, ensure all connections are clean and tight, and put the side panels back as they were.
- Check your dashboard and instrument cluster for any warning lights.
Post-Installation Steps
- Check all dashboard warning lights. You may need to start the car and turn the steering wheel full right and left a couple of times to reset the warning lights on the dash.
- Test all electrical systems, including the radio.
- Reset vehicle electronics as needed. Open the windows all the way and press and hold the window switch for 5 seconds in the open position to reset the one-touch feature.
- Clear any stored codes using the OBD-II scanner if needed.
Warning Signs of Battery Failure
- Dimming headlights.
- Warning lights on the dashboard.
- Slow engine crank
- Electrical system issues.
- Battery warning indicator on the instrument cluster.
Important Notes
- Compare the old and new battery specifications.
- Ensure proper terminal connection.
- Clean all mounting surfaces thoroughly.
- Use protective gear when handling batteries.
- Dispose of the old battery properly at a recycling center.
References
- Volvo-2016-XC90-Owners-Manual-v3.Pdf, 2015, p. 507- 508