How To Clean And Keep Corrosion From My Car Battery

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Many drivers experience difficulty starting their vehicles at some point or some other. Sometimes, a major part is to blame, but a lot of times this frustrating event is caused by buildup on the battery terminals. Learning how to make clean corroded car battery terminals will avoid unnecessary expenses and worry.

one
Determine the terminal configuration of your bombardment. There are two types.^[1]
- If the terminals are on the side, you will need a 5/16-inch (8 mm) wrench to loosen both cable nuts.
- If the terminals are on top of the battery, you will need either a 3/8-inch (10 mm) or 1/2-inch (13 mm) wrench.
two

Brand sure your car is turned off. This will reduce the likelihood of accidentally grounding the cables.

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three
Loosen the nut on the negative (-) cablevision clamp. Unfasten the cable from the post.^[2]
- Do the same for the positive (+) cable. If yous have trouble removing either cable, effort to twist them while pulling upward at the aforementioned fourth dimension.
4

Examine the battery for cracks that may be leaking acrid. If any are found, you need to replace the battery.
5

Bank check the battery cables and clamps for tears. If a large rip is found, you may accept to replace these parts.
6
Mix ane tablespoon (15 ml) of baking soda with 1 cup (250 ml) of very hot water. Dip an old toothbrush into the mixture and scrub the meridian of the battery to remove corrosion buildup.^[three]
- Y'all can even dip the ends of the battery cables in hot water to dissolve any corrosion on the cablevision ends themselves.
7

Apply the toothbrush to scour the battery clamps and posts. Remember to soak your brush in the baking soda solution every bit much as needed.
8

Rinse the battery and cables with absurd water. Make sure all the baking soda and corrosion is washed abroad. Dry the bombardment and clamps with a make clean cloth.
9

Lubricate all exposed metal on battery terminals, posts and clamps. Utilize petroleum jelly or a commercial battery terminal protection spray.^[4]
10
Reattach the positive (+) cable clamp to the proper terminal. Tighten the nut with your wrench.
- Echo with the negative (-) clamp. Test if terminals are tight enough by twisting each i by hand.
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1

Go along a pair of gloves and correct-size wrench in your body or back seat.
2

Loosen each last slightly with your wrench. Do non entirely remove the cables.
3

Pour cola over the bombardment from the center outward in 1 direction. Repeat going in the reverse direction.
4

Allow it to soak for ii minutes, then rinse off with water. Tighten the terminals and endeavor to restart the motorcar.

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You can purchase a battery cleaner spray. Some include an acrid detector in the formula. These tend to be less time-consuming, just you must read the directions on the bottle, considering each i is unlike.
Y'all can utilize a bombardment terminal brush or sandpaper if the buildup is too heavy for a toothbrush.

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The negative cable should always exist removed first and fastened concluding to forbid arcing.
Always wear protective gear.
Remove all jewelry before starting work. Rings and bracelets can become grounded or get caught on engine parts.

Things You'll Demand

Goggles or safety glasses
Latex or nitrile gloves
Wrench: five/16-inch (8 mm), three/eight-inch (10 mm) or ane/2-inch (thirteen mm)
Toothbrush
Baking soda
Water
Cup or bucket
Terminal brush (optional)
Petroleum jelly or battery terminal protection spray

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Commodity Summary 10

Before you lot clean corroded motorcar battery terminals, be sure your car is turned off so you don't ground the cables. Then, use a wrench to loosen the nuts on the cablevision clamps, and unfasten the cables from the posts. Next, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with i cup of very hot water. Dip an old toothbrush into the mixture, so remove any corrosion by scrubbing the top of your battery and the battery clamps and posts. Finally, rinse the bombardment and cables with cool water and dry them completely before refastening them. For more from our Principal Mechanic reviewer on cleaning corroded motorcar battery terminals, including how you can use a soda in an emergency, read on!

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