Close up of corrosion on a car battery

What to Do to Clean Corrosion Off a Car Battery

Is your vehicle having a hard time starting upwards? Are your headlights dim? Chances are, you lot accept a bombardment problem on your hands. When you lot open the hood to look at it, cheque for a flaky white or blue substance on your car bombardment. This substance, chosen corrosion, will form on the battery terminals over time due to the chemic construction of the battery. While a petty likely won't do whatever harm, a lot can block the electric current and cause headaches for drivers. Of course, it'southward dangerous to effort to clean corrosion without knowing how to safely. If y'all are uncomfortable with removing the corrosion yourself, visit your local mechanic for help. Otherwise, follow our step past step guide below on how to safely clean corrosion off a car battery terminal.

[ READ MORE: Signs of a Failing Auto Battery ]

Footstep by Step Guide on Removing Corrosion from a Car Battery Safely

  1. Plow off the engine. This is for your safe. If your engine was running for a while, wait for information technology to cool before popping the hood.
  2. Disconnect the bombardment with the negative final first. Use a wrench to disconnect the negative final and avert letting the wrench come into contact with the positive side as it may shock you. Do the same for the positive terminal.
  3. Bank check for damage to the battery. If y'all discover whatever cracks, dents, or warping with your battery, cleaning the corrosion may non exercise you any adept. Information technology'due south time to shop for a replacement.
  4. Thoroughly mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a cup of hot water. With an old toothbrush, dip you castor into this solution and scrub at the corrosion. If the corrosion is too hard to remove, consider ownership a bombardment terminal cleaner brush.
  5. Completely dry the battery. Water and electricity don't mix well, then make sure the bombardment and its terminals are completely dry earlier reassembling it.
  6. Replace the clamps starting with the positive concluding. This step is the reverse of step 2. Start with the positive side then movement to the negative. Don't forget to watch where your wrench is moving.
  7. Get-go up your vehicle and make sure information technology starts up commonly. If not, you lot will demand to purchase a replacement. If it does start up fine, consider getting your bombardment tested. Chances are, if information technology built upwardly a bunch of corrosion, it is starting to go old and you should be aware of how long your bombardment may go along to terminal.

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Close up of a car battery

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