How to Remove Corrosion From Car Battery

Battery Leaking
 

You’ve got the hood up on your car, checking over the engine compartment and your vehicle’s battery. Then you see something amiss along the terminals of your battery. That’s probably corrosion, and it can reduce the effectiveness of your vehicle battery.

 

 

If you have spotted some corrosion on your car battery, our experts at the Greg Hubler Buick GMC service center can help with some tips on how to clean this part of your car battery. We offer a handy guide from our service team where we let you know what causes car battery corrosion and how to remove corrosion from the car battery.

The steps on how to clean car battery corrosion are much easier than you may think! However, if you have any trouble along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to our service center for assistance. We’re happy to help in any way we can!

What Does Car Battery Corrosion Look Like?

Most drivers in and around the Gas City area may suspect battery corrosion as a symptom of something wrong before taking a look at the battery. They might experience weaker power, low voltage codes on the dashboard, or trouble starting the vehicle.

If you notice these signs, it’s time to inspect your battery for corrosion. You might be surprised how much battery corrosion can affect your vehicle.

Follow these simple steps to discover and clean battery corrosion:

  • With your vehicle fully cooled for at least 30 minutes, pop the hood and inspect the battery terminals and the metal surrounding them.
  • If the terminal is caked in white (or a combination of green/blue/teal), powdery material, there is corrosion on the battery.
  • While inspecting the battery, see if there is rust on the metal parts of your terminals and cables.

What Causes Car Battery Corrosion?

Many drivers often wonder what causes car battery corrosion. It occurs because your battery always heats and cools while you travel through the Hartford City area. This heating and cooling releases tiny amounts of hydrogen gas through ventilation of the battery. Over time, they mix with the surrounding material and metal to create a dry substance at the connection point.

That substance is corrosion. It happens at the terminal because that’s where the electric connection is on a car battery.

How to Clean Car Battery Corrosion

Want to know how to remove corrosion from the car battery? You’ve got two main choices here. You can purchase specialty solutions available at an auto parts store. These are made specifically for cleaning corrosion around car batteries. The other option is to make a DIY solution at home using normal household products.

No matter which option you choose, wear gloves, goggles, and a respirator when handling the solution to protect yourself for safety. That’s because you’re working around rust, battery corrosion, and an electric current.

  • Use a professional battery cleaner: You can find battery cleaning solution or other electrical contact cleaning spray from your local automotive store. Spray liberally on the affected surface of the battery. Use a wire brush to scrub the battery until all of the corrosion is removed.
  • DIY battery cleaning solution: Remove the connectors from the terminal, then pour baking soda on the corrosion. This will neutralize the acids. Add some water to cause a reaction, which should see some bubbling. Dry with a paper towel and brush the affected area with a scrub sponge or wire brush.

You can try to prevent future corrosion with a rust inhibitor spray, a spray battery protector, or an anti-corrosion gel. All of these items are specially made for preventing car battery corrosion, and they’re also available at an auto parts store. The helpful technicians at Greg Hubler Buick GMC can discuss which ones work better for your car battery.

Turn to Greg Hubler Buick GMC for Auto Service!

Now that you know how to remove corrosion from a car battery, it’s important to keep up with regular battery maintenance to ensure your vehicle continues to run in peak condition. If you need assistance with battery corrosion, contact us or call (765) 293-0035 today for more information. Want more tips? We’ve got a list of car maintenance, service, and parts tips for you to peruse.

 

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