Installation Guides

An important part of your vehicle’s lighting system, your taillights ensures that other drivers can see you from behind. Whether you are driving at night or making a left-hand turn in the middle of the day, properly working taillights are essential for your safety on the road.

Taillights serve several key functions: illuminating when driving at night, lighting up when you hit the brake pedal, blinking when you activate the left or right turn signal, and coming on when you put your vehicle in reverse. If one of your taillights is burned out, you run the risk of a rear-end accident. When you discover that one of your taillights has burned out, take immediate action. Armed with a high-quality Champion light bulb and the instructions in this installation guide, you’ll be ready to take on this basic repair job. Choose a Champion premium light bulb or a Champion LED light bulb to get the job done right. Champion premium exterior light bulbs deliver twice the life of standard bulbs while Champion LED bulbs are designed to burn brighter and whiter than standard bulbs. You can count on Champion to light the way.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One: start by determining how to access the taillight bulb on your vehicle. On some vehicles, you reach the taillight housing from the outside while on other cars and SUVs you need to go through the trunk to get to the taillight bulb.

If you are having trouble figuring out how to reach the taillight bulb, consult your owner’s manual.
Step Two: now that you know how to reach the taillight bulb, you’ll be able to determine what tools you need. You’ll likely need either a flathead or Phillips screwdriver. Grab whatever tools you need and remove the screws holding the taillight housing in place. If your vehicle provides easy access to the taillight housing, you might not need tools. Just snap off the fabric covering to expose the bulb in its socket.
Step Three: once you have the housing removed, determine which bulb(s) you need to replace. Locate the bulb holder that holds the light bulb you need to replace. To unseat it, unscrew it by turning it a quarter turn or so to pull it out.
Step Four: remove the bulb by carefully pulling it out of the socket. Most pull straight out, but some may require a quarter turn to remove it. Depending on your vehicle’s setup, there may be some additional screws to remove. Be gentle when doing this so you don’t risk breaking the bulb.
Step Five: before installing the new bulb, clean out the socket to ensure that there is no dirt and debris. Insert the bulb into the open socket in the same manner that you removed it. You may want to wear gloves to protect the bulb from damage.

Reverse the process you used to remove the old bulb. Put the taillight housing back in place, screwing in any screws that you removed. Replace any additional parts that you had to remove to gain access to the taillight bulb.
Step Six: start up your vehicle to ensure that the taillight is working properly.

Keeping your vehicle running at peak performance requires some basic maintenance. Changing your oil filter is one of those routine jobs that pays big dividends.

Your car’s oil filter removes dirt and contaminants from the motor oil, preventing the particles from reaching your vehicle’s engine where they could cause damage to the engine. Don’t wait for your oil light to come on; staying on a routine maintenance program will keep your vehicle running smoothly for years to come. Your vehicle’s manual will give recommendations on how often to change your oil filter. Your driving habits have an impact on when you should change the oil filter. If you do lots of short trips or city driving, you might need to change your oil filter more often than someone who does mostly highway driving. When looking for a replacement oil filter, choose a Champion oil filter. Champion provides advanced protection with maximum filtration to help extend engine life and performance. A number of advancement like high-capacity filtration designs, rigid core structures, double seam seal and safety bypass valve make a Champion oil filter the best choice for your vehicle. Grab a high quality Champion oil filter and let’s get down to business. Read on to learn how to change your vehicle’s oil filter.

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Step One: start by getting your car ready. Park your car on a level surface and set the parking brake. Place a block between the tires and the floor to make sure the car doesn’t roll. Be aware that engine oil can reach scalding temperatures, so allow ample time for the engine oil to cool down.
• Step Two: next, it is time to pop the hood open and find the oil filter. Look around the sides and rear of the engine. You are looking for a round object, about the size of a can of soup, sticking out of the lower part of the engine.

Now that you have found the oil filter, you need to decide how you are going to get to it. You may be able to reach it from the top but on some vehicles, the only way to get to it is from underneath. If you don’t have enough clearance, you’ll need ramps to boost the car up.

• Step Three: time to remove the old oil filter. Put newspaper underneath where you are going to remove it. If you want to keep your hands clean, put on some latex gloves. Clean off the filter using a rag – this will keep it from being to slippery. Unscrew the filter with an oil filter wrench. As you are loosening the filter, be sure not to let the oil spill out. Put the old filter in a plastic bag and secure it. Set it aside for recycling.
• Step Four: now it is time to install the new oil filter. At one end of the filter, there is a large hole – take the quart of oil and pour oil into it until it is ¾ full. There is a rubber O-ring around the hole, spread some oil on it with your finger.

Place the new oil filter in the same place where you removed the old filter. Gently tighten by hand until it seats properly and then turn it another ¼ to ½ turn. That’s all there is to it! You have successfully changed your oil filter.

Whether you have a sporty sedan, work truck or family-friendly SUV, they all rely on a battery to power them down the road. When the time comes to change your battery, tackle this straightforward repair job in your own garage.

With the right Champion battery and a few tools, you’ll have your vehicle back on the road in no time. Please note that you can use the same general steps to replace a battery in a boat, ATV, lawnmower or piece of commercial equipment. Engineered to deliver consistent performance, you can feel confident when you replace your battery with a high quality Champion battery. Featuring batteries for cars, commercial equipment, boats and lawn & garden, you are sure to find a Champion battery for any application.

Before you begin

Check your owner’s manual to see if your radio or navigation system could be affected by changing the battery. You might have to enter a code or multiple codes to ensure that your radio and navigation system continue to work properly after you change the battery. If the manual doesn’t list the codes, check with the dealership.

To avoid losing radio presets and other memory settings, you can use a “memory saver” – a device that uses a 9V battery plugged into the cigarette lighter to maintain power to the radio and other components. Once you have installed the new battery, unplug the device and your car’s radio and other computer components won’t know they were ever disconnected.

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Step One: pop the hood open and find where your battery is located. Remove the cover.
• Step Two: next, remove the bracket that holds the battery in place. Loosen the bolt and pull out the bracket.
• Step Three: now it’s time to disconnect the battery cables from the battery you want to replace. Remove the negative (black) cable first. Turn the nut counterclockwise. Move to removing the positive (red) cable. You may have to wiggle the cables to get them out.
• Step Four: carefully lift out the old battery, holding it at the bottom with both hands. Keep the battery upright as you take it out – remember it contains hazardous materials. Batteries can weigh up to 40 pounds, get help if you can’t safely remove and carry it on your own.
• Step Five: if the cables are dirty and corroded, clean them before connecting them to a new battery. In a glass, mix a solution of baking soda and water. You can place the cables directly in the solution. Use a wire brush to remove corrosion if necessary. You can also use this solution to clean off any corrosion - - from the battery tray.
• Step Six: put the new battery in the tray, using a partner if it is too heavy for you to do alone. Put some petroleum jelly on the terminal posts to prevent future corrosion.
• Step Seven: connect the positive cable first – tighten the nut clockwise to secure it. Then repeat the same procedure with the negative cable.
• Step Eight: put bracket and cover on. Tighten the bolt that holds the bracket. Ensure the battery is securely in place and then put the cover back on (if there is one).
• Step Nine: test your vehicle to make sure the battery is working. Turn the key to the on position and wait for 60 seconds. Then turn the car on to ensure that it starts. At this time, you can disconnect the memory saver or enter in any codes that are needed.

Has the inside of your vehicle started to smell musty? You aren’t sure where the smell is coming from but something has to be done – no one wants to ride with you!

The solution to the problem may be as easy as changing your vehicle’s cabin air filter. Cabin air filter? What is that you ask?
Most people are aware that their engine has an air filter that prevents dirt and debris from getting into the engine. Did you know that your car’s HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system has a cabin air filter?
Your vehicle’s engine air filter ensures that clean air reaches your engine. Clean air is paramount to your vehicle running efficiently. A cabin air filter performs the same function for vehicle’s HVAC system. It keeps dirt, dust, pollen and bacteria from getting into the ventilation system of your car. A cabin air filter also prevents leaves, bugs and other debris from entering the HVAC system. It keeps the air inside your vehicle fresh which means that you and your passengers can breathe easy.
You should change your cabin air filter annually or every 12,000 miles. If you drive in heavily polluted areas or travel on dirt roads, consider changing the cabin air filter every 5,000 miles. If you suffer from allergies, you may consider changing the cabin air filter more often to ensure the quality of the air.
Replacing your cabin air filter with a high quality Champion cabin air filter is the best choice for your vehicle. It removes 98% of airborne contaminants such as pollen, dust and road dirt. Designed for optimal fit and performance, the optimized pleat construction of a Champion filter features carbon-enhanced media for maximum odor control.
Changing your vehicle’s cabin air filter is an easy job that most anyone can tackle. Read on to learn how to replace the cabin air filter.

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Step One: find your car’s cabin air filter. The location of the cabin air filter can vary from vehicle to vehicle. In some cars it is located under the hood while in others it is found behind the glovebox or under the dashboard. Your vehicle’s owner manual will tell you where it is located. You can also ask a mechanic or other trusted professional to show you where it is found.
• Step Two: once you have located the cabin air filter housing, take out the old cabin air filter, remove the clips, screws or wing nuts that hold the housing in place. Take off the cover and then remove the filter. Look at the filter to see if needs replacing or if it will be good for a few more road trips. If it is dirty and grimy, the time has come to replace it.
• Step Three: clean the housing compartment. Before you install the new cabin air filter, it is worth the time to clean up the housing compartment and air intake duct. Use a vacuum to clean out any dirt and debris. Take a rag and wipe the inside of the air filter chamber to get rid of any dirt.
• Step Four: put the new cabin air filter in. Simply put the cabin air filter in the same spot where the old filter was (NOTE: be sure you install the filter with the correct air flow direction).
• Step Five: place the housing cover back on, putting any screws or clips you took off back on. If you had to remove the glovebox or dashboard to get to the cabin air filter, put it back in place by reversing the steps you used to take it off. That’s all there is to it! You and your passengers will be breathing fresh air and you’ll feel good knowing that you saved money not having a dealership or mechanic change it for you.

You may not be ready to tackle car maintenance jobs like changing the oil or replacing spark plugs, but changing your vehicle’s engine air filter is an easy job that you can do. Doing this job yourself can result in big savings. Many quick lube shops charge up to $25 or more to change an air filter.

Your vehicle’s engine air filter ensures that clean air reaches your engine. Clean air is paramount to your vehicle running efficiently. Without an air filter, the air induction system system would become full of bugs, leaves, dirt and other debris and damage your engine.

When your engine air filter gets dirty, it prevents the proper amount of clean air from reaching the engine which can lead to a host of problems for your vehicle. If your car has a dirty air filter, you may notice poor engine performance or lack of power, reduced gas mileage or your Check Engine light may come on.

When you experience any of these symptoms, top on your list of troubleshooting should be checking your engine air filter. It is a good idea to check the air filter at each oil change.

You should change your engine air filter annually or every 12,000 miles. If you live in a dusty area, you should change the engine air filter more frequently. Keeping your air filter clean keeps the engine free of dirt. Bottom line - a clean air filter is your engine’s first line of defense to staying dirt free and running properly.

Replacing your air filter with a high quality Champion air filter ensures maximum engine performance. Featuring coverage for 95% of the U.S. car market, you are sure to find a Champion air filter for your vehicle.

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Step One: open your car’s hood and find the engine air filter housing. It’s a black plastic box that sits on top of or to the side of the engine. You will see a large hose sticking out of its side.
• Step Two: open the air filter housing and take out the old air filter (use caution when removing the housing cover as it may have wiring harness and electrical components attached to it). The air filter housing can be fastened together with screws, clips, clamps or wing nuts. Take note of what kind of fasteners are used and select the appropriate tool to remove them. To open the air filter housing, you simply remove the fasteners, remove the top of the air filter housing and take out the air filter. Remove any dirt or debris that is in the housing by wiping it out with a rag.
• Step Three: inspect the old engine air filter to make sure that it is dirty and needs changing. Look inside the pleats, if you see a lot of dirt, it is time to change the air filter. You can also tap the filter and if dirt falls out, your air filter is past its prime and needs replacing.
• Step Four: place the new engine air filter in the filter box. Insert it with the rubber rim facing up. Ensure that it is seated correctly.
• Step Five: put the top of the housing back on and put the fasteners back on. That’s it! You have replaced your air filter and saved a bunch money by doing the job yourself.