I tried searching the topic but only found one, not too descriptive post. I have a specific question concerning the battery "hold-down". What is holding the battery to the vehicle? There is a plastic shield and velcro fabric but aside from that I can't see anything else. Does anything need to be removed in order to get the battery out from the vehicle? It appears as if the battery is going to make contact with the side fender as the fender tapers inward. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

I just changed the battery in my daughters bug. Most likely you will not need the felcro cover when you install the new battery as it won't fit over the battery. Now to answer your question, have another person to help you when you remove the battery as they will be needed to hold the top cover up while you work to remove it. It's in there very tight and you will have to really work with it. The hold down you are asking about is towards the front of the car, at the bottom in front of the battery. I think it was a 10mm socket to remove the bolt and then the holddown plate will come off. Like I said though, have another set of hands handy as this thing is in there tight and you will have your hands full just trying to get it out once everything has been disconnected.

Steps to take:
1. unfasten the top cover and have someone hold it up.
2. Undo the battery cables
3. Take off front plastic shield (you will have 2 screws on the engine side to remove and then the rest will pop up and off with some twisting)
4. Take off the battery holdown
5. Have another person hold up the top cover with the wires while you work (fight with the battery) to get it out

Good luck!