How to Clean Car Battery Corrosion

Your car battery performs at its peak when it’s clean, but many drivers in Omaha and Beatrice notice corrosion on the terminals. So, what causes car battery corrosion and how can you fix it? The service team at Sid Dillon Buick of Lincoln is here to teach you how to remove corrosion from a car battery, so you can get the longest life possible out of your components.

What Does Corrosion Look Like?

Even before you look at your battery, you might suspect something is wrong during your normal commutes around Hickman. If you have weaker power, trouble starting, or low voltage codes on your dashboard, your battery might be crying for help. Here are the steps you’ll take to visually check for corrosion:

• Wait until your vehicle is fully cool and hasn’t been used for at least 30 minutes.
• Pop the hood and locate the battery terminals.
• If the terminal has white, blue, green, or teal powder surrounding it, this is corrosion.
• Take note of any rust on the metal parts of your terminals and cables while you’re looking around.

What Causes Car Battery Corrosion?

So, what causes car battery corrosion? Usually, time is the biggest contributor, which is why most drivers need to remove corrosion from car batteries eventually. Your battery heats and cools, releasing gasses as it runs. The gasses will mix with the surrounding materials, resulting in a powdery substance known as corrosion. If the terminals become too corroded, you’ll need a replacement ahead of schedule.

How to Remove Corrosion from a Car Battery

Learning how to clean car battery corrosion is a useful skill that most drivers will need at some point. And luckily, it’s not very difficult to get great results. The most important thing to remember is to use the proper protective gear: gloves, goggles, and a respirator. Here are two ways to remove corrosion from your car battery.

Use a professional battery cleaner

• A professional battery cleaning solution offers the easiest way to remove corrosion. Just pick up an electrical contact cleaning spray from our parts department or an auto store and follow the instructions. You’ll usually spray the surface liberally and then scrub with a wire brush to remove the substance completely.

DIY battery cleaning solution

• If you don’t want to spend money on corrosion cleaner, you can improvise with household items. Just pour baking soda on the corrosion to neutralize the acids, and then add some water. Dry the area with a paper towel and brush the area until it’s clean.

Want to go the extra mile? Prevent future corrosion with a rust inhibitor spray, a spray battery protector, or an anti-corrosion gel.

Schedule Your Next Service at Sid Dillon Buick of Lincoln

We’ve gone through how to clean car battery corrosion like a pro, but we’re here to help with any questions you may have. Contact us to learn more or schedule your battery check at our service center!