The reason for disconnecting the negative first is that if you don't, and your spanner touches the cars body whilst loosening the positive, you will get a spark. And you don't want any sparks. I usually smear a little petroleum jelly around the posts before refitting the terminals.

As previously mentioned the only thing you are likely to need to do is put the code into the radio. As long as the battery is connected the correct way round i.e. pos to pos and neg to neg, you can do no harm. Ensure the fixing clamp is correctly fitted and tightened.

Gents, thank you very much for your help! I changed the battery about an hour ago and the car starts much smoother it seems and nothing (or no-one) appears to have been fried!

Thank you once again and I hope you have a Merry Christmas! David

Hi again, you're welcome but maybe I spoke too soon... Now, the depollution faulty light and warning message comes up and stays up.

I had not mentioned it previously as, when I'd used a booster to start on the old light, the same message came up but then cleared. Have I broken something? The car has been sat for a fortnight and not gonbe anywhere although I had attempted to start it twice during that time to see if there was any residual charge in the old battery.

Could I have done something when I was installing the new battery? Will it clear if I give the car a longer run?

Thank you, once again, for your help! David