Page 5 | AIBU to refuse to change the car battery given my caring duties?

Kardelen · 2026-03-14T10:12:07+00:00

how easy is it to change car batteries? we changed my dads one a few years back, but it was me, my husband and dad. i remember it being very heavy, and also having a small electric shock midway. at the moment, I have two young children im caring for, and my elderly parents, and also my husband who is unwell. so my husband can’t help, it’s out the picture. But my dad also can’t help as he is elderly, chronic pain, breathlessness etc, but is eager for me to buy it and thinks he can do it alone. he was gonna ask my brother, but as usual very reluctant and im the go to person. But this time I said I can’t do it, but feeling guilty. am I being unreasonable of not wanting to do it? - only because I remember last time it was 3 of us and we struggled.

Ponderingwindow · 14/03/2026 18:42

The local shop on the that sells the batteries will swap them out for a pittance by me. It’s not worth struggling to diy on this one. They also do things like wiper blades.

I did this stuff myself when I was very young, very broke, and had nothing but time. Now time and energy are both in short supply. I just tell the man at the counter what kind of car I have and the whole thing is done in 10 minutes.

BenjiHancroft · 14/03/2026 18:38

Look up how to do it on You tube, do it, then feel smug.

SnickoryDickoryDock · 14/03/2026 18:13

I changed the battery on my car not too long ago. I watched a YouTube video first. Very straight forward, not alot to it.

Shade17 · 14/03/2026 18:06

likelysuspect · 14/03/2026 17:33

I wouldnt do it myself personally, I would then have to dispose of it.

You just weigh them in for a few quid or give it to your usual garage who will do the same.

Scruntuns · 14/03/2026 18:06

Go to Halfords. Join their car club. About £50 a year. Then you get discount on items you buy. If you buy the battery from halfords you'll get discount on that and they'll also fit it for free. You will also get a free mot, each year you are a member. Well worth doing in my opinion

Coulddowithanap · 14/03/2026 17:58

likelysuspect · 14/03/2026 17:54

Dont be stupid, she's standing there with the tea and a pinny on of course!!!

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😂

There are lots of people with DHs who love to do the car DIY .. like my DH.. and I do make him the tea 🤣

likelysuspect · 14/03/2026 17:54

SleepingStandingUp · 14/03/2026 17:52

If its so easy, why don't you do it sometimes instead of leaving it all to DH?

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Dont be stupid, she's standing there with the tea and a pinny on of course!!!

SleepingStandingUp · 14/03/2026 17:52

Easterbunnygettingawrapping · 14/03/2026 11:14

Dh has always sorted our cars out. Alone. It's a battery not a bloody engine.

If its so easy, why don't you do it sometimes instead of leaving it all to DH?

fast50 · 14/03/2026 17:40

Like nearly everyone else has said, just get it changed at a garage or some shop which sells batteries and will fit them for an extra charge.
I can't be bothered faffing around with things like that just to save a few quid.

likelysuspect · 14/03/2026 17:33

I wouldnt do it myself personally, I would then have to dispose of it.

Balloonhearts · 14/03/2026 17:21

Changing a car battery is easy. I've done it a few times. If you're not confident then just get Halfords to do it.

likelysuspect · 14/03/2026 17:05

Lots of information missing here OP

Whose car are you talking about?

If its yours, book it in

If its your dads car again, he needs to book it in

Is there a reason you're only really talking about DIY action, is there a money issue here which is why you're not considering a garage?

Shade17 · 14/03/2026 17:01

Imlyingandthatsthetruth · 14/03/2026 16:05

For all those saying no problem, ten minutes job, be aware that more modern cars may need the computer to be told about the new battery. All part of the drive to stop DIY, I'm afraid. For the same reason I wouldn't be so confident that Halfrauds or Kwik-ripoff would know what they're doing, neither have a great track record. An independent specialist will almost certainly do a proper cheaper job.

Yes, but you can easily find out first whether that’s required or not and make an informed decision.

WibbleWob · 14/03/2026 16:56

If your dad is worried say that when you bought it the store offered to fit it for you, no need to mention you paid them!

Ohnobackagain · 14/03/2026 16:54

I change my own, it isn’t remotely difficult (you do need to know which terminal is earthed and do them in a specific order but it is all on Youtube). However, not everyone wants to do that and plenty of places like Halford’s will change it over for you - I had them come out and replace all my tyres recently as it saved me a heap of time. Why not look into that? There are usually money off deals when you join their free auto club too @Kardelen

Coulddowithanap · 14/03/2026 16:44

Are you replacing the same battery as last time?

It's one of the easier car maintenance tasks but if you don't have the confidence to do it take the car to a local garage, a good one would test the old battery to make sure you need one, fit a new one and just charge for the actual battery.

muddyford · 14/03/2026 16:39

rookiemere · 14/03/2026 14:50

It might be a 10 minute job but not by the time OP has watched you tube videos, bought the correct battery and done it for the first time.
It’s good to save money but this is how carers get run into the ground, after all why waste money on cleaners, gardeners and carers when OP has a set of arms and legs.
Often a line needs to be drawn somewhere and a manual task that OP has never done before and doesn’t seem keen to do, sounds like a reasonable place to start.

Absolutely right. After three years of doing everything for DH I finally have a cleaner one morning a week. Car stuff I would also outsource.

mraladdinsir · 14/03/2026 16:38

Aww you’re a mean one 😂
but seriously…Halfords

PonyPatter44 · 14/03/2026 16:33

It sounds like you have quite enough on your plate, OP. Its just one more thing to add to your already-substantial mental load. Just get a professional to do it. Dont tell your dad beforehand, in case he tries to insist or guilt trip you.

I know how to change the battery in my car. Im fit and healthy and I can do it. I dont want to, though, so I choose to pay someone to do it for me. This is not a moral failing!

BrickPoster · 14/03/2026 16:30

The AA did mine a few years ago. Honestly it wouldn’t even occur to me that changing a battery is something I could/should do myself at home!

BollyMolly · 14/03/2026 16:27

What is making you think it’s a problem not to do it yourself?

Zanatdy · 14/03/2026 16:25

I watched a video on this 10 mins ago as ex’s car battery is dead after leaving it on the drive for 6 months not driven. Looks easy, but i’d get Halfords to do it.

BIossomtoes · 14/03/2026 16:22

rookiemere · 14/03/2026 14:50

It might be a 10 minute job but not by the time OP has watched you tube videos, bought the correct battery and done it for the first time.
It’s good to save money but this is how carers get run into the ground, after all why waste money on cleaners, gardeners and carers when OP has a set of arms and legs.
Often a line needs to be drawn somewhere and a manual task that OP has never done before and doesn’t seem keen to do, sounds like a reasonable place to start.

Absolutely spot on.

Imlyingandthatsthetruth · 14/03/2026 16:05

For all those saying no problem, ten minutes job, be aware that more modern cars may need the computer to be told about the new battery. All part of the drive to stop DIY, I'm afraid. For the same reason I wouldn't be so confident that Halfrauds or Kwik-ripoff would know what they're doing, neither have a great track record. An independent specialist will almost certainly do a proper cheaper job.

rookiemere · 14/03/2026 14:50

It might be a 10 minute job but not by the time OP has watched you tube videos, bought the correct battery and done it for the first time.
It’s good to save money but this is how carers get run into the ground, after all why waste money on cleaners, gardeners and carers when OP has a set of arms and legs.
Often a line needs to be drawn somewhere and a manual task that OP has never done before and doesn’t seem keen to do, sounds like a reasonable place to start.