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Way back when the earliest automotive designs didn’t even have batteries, with a hand-cranked starter and gas flames for headlights, the electrical system was pretty minimal; all that was needed was a simple magneto to generate electricity for the ignition, not unlike a lawnmower engine. It wasn’t until Hudson Motor Car Company’s 1918 models that a standardized automotive battery was even developed...and that was a small six-volt battery to power a few secondary systems.
For many decades, getting to the battery was just a matter of opening the hood and it’d be right there, bolted down in a battery tray on either the passenger or driver side, mounted behind the grille. With space under the hood at such a premium on newer vehicles, though, the battery might be located in a few different places now, with only the cables and terminals visible in case a jump start is needed. Engineers have had to get more “creative” with battery placement. For instance:
On many newer Chrysler models, the battery is mounted behind the driver’s side wheel well. It can only be accessed by removing the wheel and inside wheel well.
The Chevy Traverse now has the battery mounted under the floorboard, behind the front passenger seat. To get to the battery, it’s necessary to remove the floor mat between the first and second rows, then unscrew a cover.
Newer Mercedes-Benz vehicles may have the battery mounted in a compartment beneath a seat, or in the trunk of the vehicle. Some Benz models actually feature two batteries – a small one under the hood to drive the starter, and another, larger battery mounted elsewhere for the electrical accessories during normal operation.
If you’re going to change your own battery, remember that even a momentary interruption in power can cancel all your radio station presets, memory-seat presets, clock settings and more. It’s now necessary to connect the cables to a 12-volt source such as a jump start box before disconnecting and removing the battery, just to be on the safe side and save yourself some headaches.
Or, you know…you can just make an appointment with us at Master Auto Repair in St. Louis for your next battery replacement. We stock batteries for a wide range of vehicles and we’ll get you back on your way again pronto!
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