A common issue with car batteries is dirty or corroded battery terminals. Corrosion can be a result of the gasses in the battery leaking out, and that can cause damage to the battery and the overall function of your car.
Cleaning them off is a simple project that you can do yourself. It involves neutralizing, light disassembly, cleaning and reassembling the battery. Battery corrosion can be harmful to breathe in or get on your skin and clothes, so be extra careful and wear gloves for protection. Any time you’re working with cleaning chemicals, make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area.
While you’re already under the hood, take a minute or two and inspect your battery for any leaking, bloating or loose connections.
Car Battery Maintenance Tips
Car battery maintenance is very important for drivers. Some of it is proactive, like cleaning the battery and terminals, while other parts of it are passive and can be done simply by using your car regularly.
Car batteries are not too dissimilar to the AA batteries in your TV’s remote control. They can lose charge, corrode or come loose and cause performance issues.
Regularly checking that your car battery is clean and well-connected can benefit your car.
Fortunately, car batteries don’t need to be changed as often as the ones in your TV remote, as long as you’re caring for them. Driving charges the battery, so regular use of your car helps keep your battery charged. The longer you drive your car, the better.
One of the quickest ways to drain the battery is to use the electronics in your car while it’s not running, so avoid charging your phone or blasting the AC if you’re sitting in a parking lot without the engine running.
How to Clean Battery Terminal Corrosion
Start by locating where your battery is in your car. Many are located under the hood, but some cars have them in the trunk.
Resist the urge to blow the dust off of the surface when you find it! That is not something you want to breathe in or sprinkle on your clothes.
Begin by applying a cleaner to the dirty terminals. You can find battery cleaning kits at any automotive store or online, or make a DIY version by combining 1 tbsp. baking soda and 1 cup water.
Let it sit for a couple minutes, or for however long the instructions on the store-bought kit say, then gently wipe it away.
Next, remove the battery connections using a wrench, starting with the negative battery cable. Make sure neither of the connectors touches the terminals while they’re disconnected and you’re cleaning.
Once they’re disconnected, clean the terminals. You can use the wire brush that comes in many kits, or opt for a dedicated battery cleaner. The latter has brushes designed specifically for cleaning battery ports and connectors.
Once everything looks brand new again, use a spray bottle filled with water to give everything a rinse, then wipe it all down with a rag to dry.
When reconnecting, secure the positive side first and then the negative. Give it a spritz or dab of protectant, and you’re good to go. You can protect your battery from future corrosion using a little petroleum jelly on the ports and connections to lubricate things. An alternative is to buy a spray battery terminal protector.
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