One common mistake is mixing up the positive and negative cables, which can damage your car's alternator. Always remember: black for negative and red for positive. Other mistakes include using low-quality cables, letting the cables detach, touching the clips together, or ignoring dirty battery terminals.

Avoid dropping the battery or letting tools touch both terminals at the same time, which could cause sparks or damage your car's electrical system. Separate the cables before installing the new battery, and attach the negative cable first. If you're unsure, it's always best to contact a professional.

Use a memory saver or secondary power source. If you don't have one, come to Chantilly Motors, and we'll handle it for you. A memory saver prevents your car from losing critical information during the battery change.

If your car's computer lost power, it may need time to relearn engine performance data. In some cases, carbon buildup in the throttle body or idle air control valve could cause stalling, but this can be easily cleaned.