This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006) GM Chevrolet Tahoe SUV in changing a dead 12 volt car battery in the engine bay.

Owners of other General Motors GMT800 series SUV or truck vehicles such as the Chevy Silverado, Suburban, Avalanche, GMC Yukon, Sierra, Hummer H2 and the Cadillac Escalade may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools needed to complete this procedure include an 8mm socket, a 10mm socket, a 13mm socket (or possibly a 12mm socket instead), a set of extension bars and a 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench.

The correct "Group Size" battery for the '00 to '06 Tahoe is "78" or "75". Check out compatible batteries at Amazon.com.

A few compatible replacement batteries with their part numbers are as follows: EverStart Plus 75-3N (75-3S) or 78-3, Everstart Maxx MAXX-75N or MAXX-78N, Bosch 78-770B, Optima RedTop RED75/35DT, ProStart 75-650PS or 78-700PS, AutoCraft 75-2 or AutoCraft 78-1 and Bosch S6563B S6.

Loosen the two 10mm bolts that hold the cross brace bar in place by turning them counterclockwise.

Spin out the bolts and remove the cross brace bar. Set the bar aside in a safe place.

First loosen the "-" negative terminal by turning it counterclockwise with an 8mm wrench.

Then loosen the positive (red) terminal by turning the 8mm bolt in the counterclockwise direction

Loosen the battery hold down clamp by turning the 13mm bolt in the counterclockwise direction.

Remove the bolt and plastic block. Set them aside in a safe place.

(Note: On this 2006 Tahoe, the battery hold down clamp bolt was a 12mm socket but it should have been a 13mm bolt.)

Try to avoid tipping over or dropping the old battery to prevent from having battery acid leak out.

Clean off any debris from the plastic battery tray so that the new battery will rest evenly on it.

Line up the bolt hole in the plastic battery clamp block with the hole in the tray.

Spin in the 13mm battery clamp bolt a few turns by hand and then tighten it in the clockwise direction with the socket wrench until it is snug.

If you've had a problem with corrosion (white or blue powder) building up on the 12V battery terminals, consider installing some felt anti-corrosion washers to the battery posts.

Continue tightening the positive "+" terminal in the clockwise direction with the 8mm wrench until it is snug.

Try to avoid over tightening the terminal bolt to prevent from damaging the battery which can lead to an acid leak.

Then spin in the negative "-" battery terminal bolt and tighten it in the clockwise direction with the 8mm wrench.

Test the new 12V battery by starting the engine and turning on the headlights.

Be sure to adjust the time on the clock and program your favorite radio station presets before driving.

For more, check out my other 2000-2006 GM Chevrolet Tahoe DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.