That crusty, blue-greenish or white powder building up on your car battery terminals is more than just an eyesore. It’s corrosion, and it can quietly sabotage your car’s ability to start. This buildup, caused by hydrogen gas reacting with the battery’s metal, creates resistance and can lead to poor electrical connections. The good news is that learning how to clean corrosion off car battery terminals is a simple and inexpensive task that can save you from a frustrating no-start situation.
Gathering Your Simple Cleaning Supplies
You don’t need any special tools for this job. You likely have most of what you need already at home. You’ll want a pair of safety glasses and gloves to protect yourself from battery acid. For the cleaning itself, you’ll need a wrench (usually an 8mm or 10mm), a small wire brush or an old toothbrush, and some baking soda. A simple paste made from a tablespoon of baking soda and a cup of water is a highly effective and safe cleaner for neutralizing the acidic corrosion.
A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Corrosion Off Car Battery
First, ensure the car is off and the parking brake is engaged. Put on your safety gear. Using your wrench, loosen and remove the negative cable first (it’s marked with a minus sign, “-“). Then, remove the positive cable (marked with a plus sign, “+”). This order is important for safety. Apply your baking soda paste to the corroded terminals and cable ends. You’ll see it fizz as it neutralizes the acid. Use your wire brush to scrub away all the residue until the metal is shiny. Wipe everything clean with a damp cloth and let it dry completely.
Reconnecting and Preventing Future Buildup
Once everything is clean and dry, it’s time to reconnect the cables. This time, you’ll do the opposite of removal: connect the positive cable first, then the negative. Make sure they are tightened securely so they cannot wiggle loose. To help prevent corrosion from returning so quickly, consider applying a small amount of petroleum jelly or commercially available battery terminal protectant spray to the clean terminals. This creates a barrier that helps keep the corrosive gases at bay.
By taking just a few minutes for this simple maintenance task, you’re ensuring a strong electrical connection for your vehicle. A clean battery is a happy battery, and it greatly increases the chances your car will start reliably every time you turn the key.
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