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Corrosion buildup is a common experience that motorists share when they are using an older car battery. Corrosion on batteries is a prevalent problem that can cause a decrease in performance or even damage to the battery. However, there are simple steps you can take to clean corrosion off your car battery and keep it running smoothly.
What Causes Corrosion on Car Batteries?
Before we dive into how to clean corrosion off car batteries, it's important to understand what causes corrosion to build up on batteries in the first place. Corrosion is typically caused by a buildup of hydrogen gas from the battery's electrolyte reacting with the metal components of the battery. This gas buildup can cause sulfuric acid to form around the battery terminals, which leads to the white, powdery substance.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Corrosion Off Car Batteries
To eliminate the corrosion, you'll need a few tools and materials:
- Baking soda
- Water
- A small brush or toothbrush
- Safety goggles
- Rubber gloves
- A wrench or pliers
- A battery terminal cleaner or wire brush
Once you have these materials, follow these steps:
- Turn off the engine and let the battery cool down before cleaning.
- Put on your safety goggles and rubber gloves to protect your eyes and skin from any battery acid.
- Use a wrench or pliers to loosen and remove the battery cables from the battery terminals. Be sure to remove the negative (black) cable first, followed by the positive (red) cable.
- Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a cup of water in a plastic container.
- Dip your brush or toothbrush into the baking soda solution and scrub the battery terminals.
- Once you've scrubbed away the corrosion, rinse the terminals with clean water and dry them off with a clean cloth. Make sure they are completely dry before reconnecting the cables.
- Reconnect the battery by connecting the positive cable first and then the negative cable. Make sure they are tight and secure.
Cleaning the corrosion off your car battery terminals is an important part of auto maintenance that should be done regularly. If you're unsure about the process or need assistance, please bring your car to Inmon Automotive today.