How to Replace a Silverado Battery

Replacing the battery on a 2018 Chevy Silverado might be a bit trickier than it should be, but with the right approach, it’s still a straightforward job. Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or just dipping your toes into the world of car maintenance, this guide will walk you through the process step by step. Along the way, I’ll share a few tricks I’ve picked up to make the task even easier.

At How To Lou, I’m all about showing you how to build, fix, and have fun. So, let’s get started!

Keeping Your Settings Safe: The Memory Saver Trick

Before diving in, it’s important to ensure you don’t lose your truck’s computer settings. To do this, I use a memory saver. Most memory savers are cigarette lighter plugs connected to a nine-volt battery, but I made my own by hooking it up to the battery on my Polaris Razor. This simple step keeps power flowing to the computer while we replace the truck battery.

Removing the Old Battery

The first challenge is dealing with the metal support bar that’s in the way. Here’s how to get it out:

Remove the bolts—there’s one here, another there, and one more down below. Once the bolts are out, the support bar will lift away.

Pry off the battery cover by working at the front and back edges. It should pop right off.

Next, we need to take off the terminal plate. This part is screwed into place with a few nuts.

Unscrew the nuts and remove the terminal plate.

Tape off the wires so they don’t accidentally touch anything while you’re working.

Disconnect the additional terminal over here and remove the last two nuts holding things together.

Once all that’s done, you can loosen the nut securing the battery itself. This will allow the battery to lift out, but here’s the trick: the tight space makes it a bit of a wrestling match. Turn the battery sideways and lift it at an angle—it’ll come out, but not without a little effort.

Installing the New Battery

Getting the new battery in requires the same maneuvering. Turn it sideways, lower it in at an angle, and flip it upright. If you’re struggling, you might need to pull the windshield wiper tank forward to make more room.

Once the battery is in place:

Bolt down the battery holder to secure it.

Snap the power distribution plate back on top.

Untape the wires and reconnect them to the terminals, bolting them down tightly.

Plug the two connectors back in.

Reattach the battery ground wire and power wire.

Finally, put the plastic cover back on, reinstall the support bar, and you’re done.

Did It Work?

With everything reconnected, it’s time to see how you did. Start the truck and check your settings. If you’ve used the memory saver correctly and followed these steps, your Silverado should fire up with no issues and all your settings intact.

Replacing a battery doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a little patience and the right guidance, you can save money and gain confidence in maintaining your vehicle.

For more DIY projects, tips, and fun, visit my YouTube channel, How To Lou: youtube.com/@HowToLou. Happy fixing!