When I bought the Hyundai it first needed a new battery as the old one wouldn’t hold charge. This was all while the car was sat in the previous owners driveway. In my haste to get the car going I had fitted the new battery without its jacket which was around the old battery. The previous owner was most concerned that this needed to be fitted and when I collected the car, he pointed it out and I assured him I would get this done. So it was time to fulfil on this commitment.

A spare sunny Sunday afternoon was the perfect opportunity to open up the bonnet. I’d remembered that I needed a 10mm and 12mm socket so used my dinky Halfords socket set (max size 13mm down to 6mm) which has proven very useful over the years. The battery tray is nicely designed with a robust clamp at the back holding down the base and a stabilising strut at the top which attaches to the bulkhead.

Everything came off easily and I was able to slip the jacket on without lifting the battery out completely. I fitted it upside down first of course…It had these lugs sticking up which didn’t look right and would have fouled the terminals. I switched it around before anyone could see and then tightened it all back up again. Job done.

I took the opportunity to give the under bonnet a quick clean up to remove vegetation debris and cobwebs – it’s needs a proper wash but I’m waiting for the hosepipe ban to be lifted so I can (carefully) sluice it all out and make it look nice.

While I had the cleaning stuff out I sprayed the interior fabrics with a disinfectant as there is still a slight whiff which I think may be some mildew from when it was left idle. I also cleaned under the rear number plate light which was green and all around the hatch shut panels. Still lots of grime to steadily remove.

Post script – earlier on the weekend I washed the Hyundai’s stubby little bonnet and used a clay bar, then Turtle Wax’s Ceramic Hybrid polish. My Dad’s advice with cleaning a car is to do it one panel at a time, so I’ve started here. Roof next probably….