Corrosion is the main factor contributing to the shortening of the lifespan and poor performance of a car battery. Corrosion, particularly on the connectors, can lead to shortages that can permanently harm your car battery, resulting in your car breaking down or not starting. This is why it’s essential to keep your car battery connections clean.
Any Amount of Corrosion Is Hazardous
The damage has already started if you see a small amount of white or bluish fuzz on the connectors of your car battery. Removing the corrosion as soon as possible is crucial to prevent long-term issues.
You can use a tiny amount of water and baking soda to clean minor corrosions and gently scrub the area with a small brush. Take your car to a qualified mechanic if you’re unsure about performing this task yourself or if you have any worries.
How to Remove Rust From a Car Battery
Fortunately, the car battery is one of the simpler parts of your car to take care of. Here are a few quick techniques for removing corrosion from car battery terminals.
Water and Baking Soda
The use of water and baking soda is a tried-and-tested cleaning technique. Combine the two and spread the mixture on the terminals, which should resemble a pancake batter. The mixture will gradually eat the corrosion away. This is a messy solution, but it works.
Cola
You can achieve the same result with any cola brand. Its mild acidity will gradually dissolve corrosion on battery terminals. Pour a little on the terminals, let it take some time to sit, and then wipe clean.
Use a Brush
When a battery terminal cleaning brush is available, there is no need to squander a good can of sugary delight. These brushes are cheap, but they are effective. You should get several and keep them in your garage.
You should start by unplugging the negative terminal of the battery. Use the brush to break up and remove rust and deposits on the connectors and terminals.
Prevention Is Key
It’s crucial to stop corrosion before it begins if you want your car battery to last for a long time. You can buy felt pads to put under the battery connectors to catch any seeping acid that might cause corrosion. Additionally, auto repair shops sell various sprays that can stop corrosion.
Heavy Corrosion Requires Special Care
A car battery that has suffered severe corrosion should be cleaned as soon as possible since it can be hazardous. You should bring your vehicle to a repair shop to replace the battery if it is beyond repair.
It’s crucial to take care of your car battery, particularly the battery connectors, to get the most out of your vehicle. Bring your vehicle to a reliable auto service center immediately if you have any inquiries or need to replace your battery.
You can take your vehicle to the nearest Jiffy Lube. We have several service centers, so there’s probably one close by. There’s no need to schedule an appointment. You only need to bring your vehicle to us, and we’ll take care of it.