Do not be surprised if you lift your car’s hood and see some corrosion on the battery terminals. Battery corrosion occurs due to normal wear and tear. Just because something is normal doesn’t mean it should be ignored. Corroded battery terminals can cause electrical problems and reduce battery life in cars.
Why? According to the Universal Technical Institute, Corrosion in battery terminals can increase circuit resistance, disrupting electrical current.
This will not only shorten your battery’s lifespan but can also damage the electrical system in your vehicle.
What Is Battery Corrosion?
Battery corrosion appears as a white, green, or blue substance on the terminals or cables of your car. The acid in the battery releases hydrogen gas, which reacts with air to create a corrosive atmosphere. The batteries are corroded in the environment.
What Causes Battery Corrosion?
The car battery corrosion is caused by several factors, including:
1. Overcharging
If you overcharge your batteries, the temperature could get too high. The electrolytes may expand in the battery. Battery vents allow pressurized fluid to escape from the battery so it doesn’t explode. Battery fluid that leaks out of the vents can cause corrosion.
2. Overfilling Your Battery
Some battery types need to be refilled to work correctly. The excess water will leak from the vents if you overfill the battery. When water contacts the terminals of a battery, corrosion may form.
3. Damage to Battery
Battery fluid can leak from cracks or damage in your battery. These fluid leaks can lead to car battery terminal corrosion.
Also Read: 5 Warning Signs Indicating Car Battery Replacement
Step – by – Step Procedure to Clean Corrosion Battery Terminals
1. Start with safety
Powdery residue around the battery terminals can irritate your eyes and skin. When handling battery corrosion, use battery corrosion cleaner and wear heavy-duty gloves and eye protection. Wash any corrosive materials that get on your skin or clothes immediately.
2. Disconnect the Battery
Release the cable by starting with the negative terminal. Position the cable safely away from the terminal. These things are designed to deliver the cable straight to the battery and are susceptible to “slipping” back into place. Remove the positive terminal.
Pro tip: Use a Battery Memory Saver before disconnecting your battery to protect your vehicle’s electrical system and save stored data. Refer to your vehicle’s user manual for information about using a memory saver.
3. Check the Battery Cables
Take a few moments to inspect the cables after disconnecting the battery. Is there any fraying or corrosion at the connection between the cable and the terminal? Does the insulation crack or dry out? Cables that are damaged need to be replaced.
4. Remove the Battery from the Vehicle
You can use the battery terminal cleaner off a battery while still in your car. However, removing the battery from your vehicle and placing it into a shallow pan to collect any corrosive materials you will be washing away is safer.
5. Start Cleaning
It’s time to remove and neutralize the corrosion from your car battery. Remove any powdery, solid corrosion around the terminals and dirt on your battery casing using a wire scraper or brush. Brush off the corrosion and let it drop into the pan.
6. Neutralize
There are a few options available to remove the corrosion and neutralize it.
Battery terminal cleaners are available commercially and can remove corrosion from batteries. Spray-on battery terminal corrosion cleaner solution changes colour when it reacts to corrosion.
Baking soda with warm water is an excellent solution for cleaning corrosion battery terminals. Mix your solution and use a rag to wipe away corrosion. Do not pour the solution directly onto the top of the battery. It is essential to do this to avoid solution leaking into battery cells, neutralizing the acid within and causing corrosion.
Pro tip: Clean the terminal ends connecting the battery to the cables. You can use a baking soda-water solution or a commercial battery corrosion removal cleaner.
7. Drying and Polishing
Dry the battery casing and posts with a microfiber towel. Remove any coating or debris from the terminals with a terminal brush.
8. Replace and Reconnect it
Reconnect the terminals and return the battery to the tray in your engine. Start by attaching the positive cable to the terminal and then the negative. Replace the battery hold-downs.
How Can You Prevent Battery Corrosion?
1. Protective Treatment:
To prevent corrosion, you can purchase sprays or brush-on treatments at auto battery parts shops. Disconnect the batteries before you can use the cables to reach the terminal.
2. Make sure your Battery is Appropriate:
Under- or overcharging your batteries can cause corrosion. Take your battery to a car mechanic in Perth if it is regularly over- or undercharging. They can determine the reason.
3. Perform Routine Maintenance
Every so often, check your auto battery for corrosion. This is an excellent thing to do when you change your oil. You can spot corrosion in your battery early by regularly checking it.
Conclusion
It’s not difficult to deal with corrosion on your battery terminals. With regular car battery service and care, you can easily manage it. Cleansing corroded terminals on your battery can help extend its life and keep it operating at maximum capacity. You can reduce auto battery corrosion by following the above steps and taking preventative measures. The wearing protective gear while working in an area with good ventilation is essential. Your battery will last longer with proper maintenance by experts like Car Mechanic Perth.
