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 upwardly? Are your headlights dim? Chances are, you lot have a battery problem on your hands. When you open the hood to look at it, check for a flaky white or blue substance on your car battery. This substance, called corrosion, volition form on the battery terminals over time due to the chemical construction of the battery. While a fiddling likely won't do any harm, a lot tin can cake the electrical current and crusade headaches for drivers. Of course, it's dangerous to endeavor to clean corrosion without knowing how to safely. If you are uncomfortable with removing the corrosion yourself, visit your local mechanic for assist. Otherwise, follow our step by pace 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. Plough off the engine. This is for your rubber. If your engine was running for a while, wait for information technology to cool earlier popping the hood.
  2. Disconnect the battery 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 equally it may shock you. Practice the same for the positive last.
  3. Check for damage to the battery. If you notice whatever cracks, dents, or warping with your battery, cleaning the corrosion may not practise you whatsoever good. Information technology's time to shop for a replacement.
  4. Thoroughly mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a loving cup of hot water. With an one-time toothbrush, dip y'all castor into this solution and scrub at the corrosion. If the corrosion is also hard to remove, consider buying a battery terminal cleaner brush.
  5. Completely dry out the bombardment. Water and electricity don't mix well, then make sure the battery and its terminals are completely dry out before reassembling it.
  6. Replace the clamps starting with the positive terminal. This step is the reverse of stride 2. Start with the positive side then motility to the negative. Don't forget to watch where your wrench is moving.
  7. Start up your vehicle and make sure it starts upwardly normally. If not, y'all will demand to buy a replacement. If it does start up fine, consider getting your battery tested. Chances are, if information technology built up a bunch of corrosion, information technology is starting to get old and yous should be aware of how long your bombardment may continue to concluding.

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Close up of a car battery

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