A small amount of corrosion on your battery isn’t a good sign, but a large amount can quickly become a hazard. If you see any corrosion around your battery terminal connectors, find out how to carefully remove corrosion and effectively clean your battery.
Dangers of a Corroded Battery
Corrosion can be caused by high temperatures, long-term use and other issues. Slight amounts typically won’t affect the performance of your vehicle, but a large amount of corrosion can act as an insulator. This will effectively prevent power from reaching your car’s electrical system. A corroded battery may not work while still covered with corrosion, or it may need to be completely replaced.
Before you dive into cleaning areas of corrosion, you need to carefully set up your work area. Working around your battery can be dangerous work, particularly with corrosive materials. Large amounts of corrosive material may be a sign that your battery is leaking, so be cautious to prevent chemical burns.
Safely Remove Battery Cables
First, put on gloves to protect your hands from corrosive material. You’ll typically need either a 5/16-inch or 3/8-inch wrench to remove the battery cables. Your cleaning technique requires pouring a water solution on the battery, so you’ll need to remove the risk of electrocution before you continue. Always remove the negative battery terminal first and don’t touch the positive terminal with your hands or wrench while it’s still connected.
Once you know how to check car battery, you may see signs of significant corrosion. Inspect your battery to see if there are any cracks or tears in your battery. If so, you’ll need to carefully remove your entire battery and replace it.
Clean Corrosion
As long as your battery is still intact, use a baking soda and water mixture to clean corrosion. An old toothbrush is a great way to scrub away buildup on your battery. Be sure to clean the terminals and cables thoroughly.
You can also invest in a battery terminal cleaner brush. This specialized tool makes it easy to remove corrosive material from hard-to-reach areas around the terminals and cables.
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Completely Dry Your Battery
Once all the corrosive material is removed, dry off your battery. Be sure it’s fully dried before you connect the battery terminals. Consider using anti-corrosion grease on your battery terminals to prevent additional corrosion buildup. This will make your job easier next time and reduce the amount of buildup on your battery.
After drying your battery, carefully replace the positive then negative cables. Check your vehicle to see if your battery is still working properly. If not, you may need a battery charger or a replacement battery.
Find a Replacement Battery
Large amounts of corrosive material may be a sign that it’s time for a new battery. For more information about cleaning your battery, finding a replacement or to get great gear for your vehicle, stop by your local auto parts store. From an affordable battery to a helpful battery charger for car, keep your car running smoothly and your battery working for years to come.
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