2004 Bird battery replacement

[Bird52]

Checked the battery today . The battery is 8 years old. What's the trick to not lose the voltage when changing out the battery?
I would hate to reprogram all the functions (radio, windows, steering wheel etc.)
Thanks in advance.

 

[PrettyInCashmere]

We'll see what others say, but I've changed battery and have no recall of any such difficulties

 

[hemiguy]

I connect another battery to the cables using alligator clips, so as not to lose power when the existing battery is removed.

 

[JW in Dixie]

Just replaced the batt in my 2004 - only loss was clock and radio settings. Used to have a mower batt that I clipped onto the cables before disconnecting.Tthat way nothing is lost. Cheers

 

[Bird52]

how about a battery tender?

 

[OSKY]

I replaced mine at PEPBOYS and they used a battery tender to saved everything that it was programmed.

 

[Issyro]

Yep you'll have to reset the window drop feature. Very simple in your owners manual

 

[JW in Dixie]

I replaced mine at PEPBOYS and they used a battery tender to saved everything that it was programmed.

Well, heck - didn't think about using the battery tender.

 

[JW in Dixie]

I have been disconnecting the battery in my 2003 when I stored the car 4 to 6 months at a time
Since new. No problems ever. Just replaced the battery for the 3rd time, no problems. Just took a 200 mile trip,
Again everything fine. I shopped around for a new battery, cheapest I could find was $145.00, only 2year warranty. Picked up a
Battery at Walmart, same dimensions, and 600 cold cranking amps for $54.00 1 yr. warranty, beautiful. Even if I replace it
After a yr, still ahead. Walmart battery’s last in my farm tractors and boat up to 5 years or more.

New WM batt vented?

 

[Big Al]

I have been disconnecting the battery in my 2003 when I stored the car 4 to 6 months at a time
Since new. No problems ever. Just replaced the battery for the 3rd time, no problems. Just took a 200 mile trip,
Again everything fine. I shopped around for a new battery, cheapest I could find was $145.00, only 2year warranty. Picked up a
Battery at Walmart, same dimensions, and 600 cold cranking amps for $54.00 1 yr. warranty, beautiful. Even if I replace it
After a yr, still ahead. Walmart battery’s last in my farm tractors and boat up to 5 years or more.

I replaced the battery in '09 about 7 months after I bought it. I bought the original equipment Motorcraft battery. I replaced it again last spring with same but the new one had a few more amps. They are spendy, but have an 8 year pro-rated warranty. To have one that lasted 10 years is pretty great. And yes, I had to reprogram the clock and radio presets. That's it. I do like to keep original parts on my '05. We drive it about 3000 miles a year as it is a garage queen here in Iowa.