“Please.”
Changing a car battery should usually be a pretty straightforward job. But this Walmart service technician is saying that some car manufacturers make the job unnecessarily complicated.
It seems commenters are split about how hard it actually is.
In a video with more than 166,000 views, Walmart service technician and TikToker @345.drxco had something to say to Ford Escape drivers.
“Stop bringing ur ford escapes to walmart for batteries please,” the text overlay reads.
In the video, he seems to be working on a Ford Escape, but it’s hard to tell what’s going on. And he doesn’t elaborate on what makes replacing the battery so frustrating.
And it seems he doesn’t have an issue with all Ford vehicles—just the Escapes.
“Rather would work on ford fusion batteries,” he wrote in the caption.
In a JustAnswer forum, a 2014 Ford Escape owner said multiple auto parts stores, including Advance Auto Parts, refused to replace their battery because it was too difficult to access.
But according to Ford mechanic Ron Z., the job isn’t quite as complicated as it looks.
He explains in the JustAnswer forum that the battery sits inside a holder with a front access panel that slides upward. To remove the battery, a technician first needs to take off the top of the air cleaner to create more room. From there, they can slide the access panel up and move the battery forward before lifting it out.
“Most local parts stores, like AdvanceAuto, typically won’t invest the extra time needed for this task due to time constraints and skill levels,” he wrote.
But an experienced tech should be able to get it done in about 30 minutes, he claimed.
Consumer Reports says you should first check if a battery is actually compatible with your car. Batteries come in different sizes and terminal configurations. So it’s important to check your owner’s manual or an in-store fit guide before buying.
Then there’s the type of battery. Most cars use either a conventional lead-acid battery or a more advanced absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery. While conventional batteries are generally cheaper, AGM batteries can better withstand repeated draining and recharging. They’re also increasingly common in vehicles with features like automatic stop-start systems. However, they can cost up to double that of conventional batteries.
The site also recommends buying a battery that’s less than 6 months old—preferably less than 3 months—since batteries gradually lose strength even while sitting in storage.
And don’t overlook the warranty. A battery with a longer free-replacement period can save you money if it fails prematurely. That’s different from a prorated warranty, which only covers part of the replacement cost.
An alleged AutoZone worker chimed in, sharing what they used to do when Ford Escape owners walked into the shop. “I use to tell ford escape owners to go to walmart cuz the batteries were cheaper and they would install there for you no [hassle],” they shared.
“I remember my wife had a 2015 ford escape and I told her I would replace the battery myself before realizing what [that] involved. Worst 2 hours ever,” a person said.
“I can do those in about 7 minutes. It’s those dodges with the battery on the fender well that suck,” another wrote.
Motor1 reached out to @345.drxco via Instagram and TikTok direct message and to Walmart via contact form. We’ll be sure to update this if they respond.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motor1.com?
– The Motor1.com Team