Changing a car battery in a Buick is easy and can be done in about 30 minutes. You'll need a few basic tools and the ability to lift and carry a heavy battery that weighs about 40 lbs. You'll may also need to search for the battery, since Buicks are unique in that the batteries in some models--including LeSabres and Rivieras--are located under the back seat.
Locate the battery. Most Buick batteries are located on the passenger side of the car at the front of the engine compartment. If you can't find it there, it will be under the back seat. Write down the make and model of the battery and take the description with you when you go to buy a new one.
Check the battery posts and nuts securing the cables. Clean them with a toothbrush and baking soda if there is excessive corrosion. Before taking out the old battery, plug a memory keeper into the car's cigarette lighter to preserve preset codes for the radio and GPS system on newer cars. This is not a must, but more of a precautionary measure.
Loosen the bolt that holds the metal bar on top the battery in place using your socket wrench, and remove it. Loosen the bolt on the negative battery cable first (it has a minus sign next to post). Loosen the bolt on the positive cable and remove it from the positive post. Lift the battery out of its resting place. Put it inside an old box if you're concerned about battery acid leaking out.
Install the new battery. Attach the negative battery cable to the negative post first and tighten the bolt into place with a socket wrench. Do the same for the positive cable, put the bar that holds the battery down back in place and tighten the bolt.
Turn on the ignition to make sure the battery works. After it starts, turn off the car and double-check the cables to make sure they are tight and that the battery is secure.
