Even if you aren't mechanically inclined, removing the battery from your Mitsubishi Lancer will take less than 30 minutes if you have the right tools. Be sure to wear gloves and handle the battery with care if it's damaged in any way or you notice excessive corrosion on the terminals. Battery acid is extremely caustic and will burn your skin.
Prop open the hood of your Mitsubishi Lancer.
Remove the metal bracket which holds the battery in its compartment. Use your crescent wrench or the correct size box wrench to loosen and remove the nuts that hold the bracket in place. After you’ve removed the nuts from both sides, pull the bracket off of the top of the battery. If you have a late-model Lancer, the plastic air intake also runs over the top of your battery. This can be easily removed by using your Philips screwdriver to take out the screws at the front of the intake, above the grill. After the screws are out, you should be able to slide the intake out of your way.
Unhook the negative battery cable first. On most Lancers, this terminal does not have a plastic cover. Use your crescent to loosen the nut on the clamp. If the bolt begins to turn, you may have to hold the bolt head with your pliers. After the clamp is loose, pull it off of the battery post and tuck it to the side.
Slide the plastic cover off of the positive battery terminal and loosen the clamp in the same manner as you loosened the negative. Pull the clamp off of the post and tuck the cable to the side so it does not catch on the battery.
Lift the battery out of its compartment. Remember, if it is corroded or damaged in any way, do not allow it to come into contact with your skin. Use thick gloves to handle the battery.
Clean the clamps on your battery cables using your battery post and terminal cleaning tool. Brush them until the metal appears shiny.
Place your new battery into the compartment, making sure you line up the negative post with the negative cable. The negative post on your new battery will be marked with a minus sign.
Attach the positive cable first by sliding the clamp over the post. Tighten the nut on the clamp with your wrenches. The clamp should be tight enough that you cannot move it by hand. Afterward, slide the protective plastic cover over the positive terminal.
Attach the negative cable the same way you attached the positive cable.
Replace the metal bracket on top of the battery, making sure it fits snugly around the edge of the battery, then tighten the nuts, drawing them down so the battery is completely immobilized. If you have a later-model Lancer, you will then need to reattach your air intake by sliding it back into place then fastening the screws with your Philips screwdriver.
Close the hood and start your Mitsubishi Lancer.
