How to Clean Battery Connections

Share
Tweet
Pin
Images Pablo 61 1024x512

Cleaning your battery connections, especially if the terminals are corroded, will help ensure the battery lasts longer and performs well. Corrosion shows up in the form of a crusty, fuzzy-looking substance that leaves a mess on your car battery terminals and cable ends. If enough corrosion forms between the cable ends and the terminals, it can actually prevent the battery’s power from flowing from the battery through the cables.

Corrosion forms on the terminal for two main reasons:

The terminal and the cable end are different types of metal

The battery is off-gassing hydrogen in the charging process

Materials Needed

Baking soda

Petroleum jelly

Stiff-bristled brush or wire brush

Water

Blogpost Blog Woodys World 3 How To Clean Battery Connections Baking Soda Sprinkled On Car Battery Terminal

Step 1: Sprinkle baking soda over both battery terminals. Use enough for the powder to coat the terminal with a little around the terminal as well.

Step 2: Pour a couple tablespoons of water on each terminal. The baking soda will react by bubbling up quite ferociously for a couple seconds.

The reaction between the baking soda and water mixture and the acidic corrosion on the battery terminals will neutralize the acid, making it safe to handle.

Step 3: Repeat on the cable ends. Perform the same procedure for the battery cable ends.

You may prefer to perform this step in a small tub or just on top of the battery.

Step 4: Scrub the terminals. Immediately after neutralizing the corrosion, scrub the corrosion off with a stiff brush.

A wire brush is ideal but an old toothbrush will also do in a pinch.

Scrub all around the battery terminal as well as the cable end inside and out.

Step 5: Rinse with water. When all the corrosion is removed, rinse the battery and the cable ends thoroughly with clean water.

Step 6: Let the battery dry completely. You can blow it off with compressed air if you’d like.

Brittany & Eddie

Brittany & Eddie, thank you both for the awesome five-star review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the fast, friendly, and WOW-worthy experience here at Woody’s.

Read More

Kelsi

Kelsi, thank you so much for the kind words and glowing review! We’re thrilled Jacob could make things easy—and even fun—for both you and your

Read More

Peyton

Peyton, thanks for the awesome five-star review! That blue beauty looks sharp, and we’re so glad you were WOWed by your experience. Enjoy the ride

Read More

Nolan

Nolan, thank you for the fantastic five-star review! We’re so glad you were WOWed by your experience here at Woody’s. It was a pleasure working

Read More

Jennifer

Jennifer, thank you for the glowing five-star review! That Jeep looks incredible. We’re thrilled you were WOWed by your experience—have a blast on all your

Read More

Angel

Angel, thank you for the awesome five-star review! We’re so glad you were WOWed by your experience. That Tahoe looks sharp—enjoy every moment behind the

Read More

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Related Posts

Vandoit

Kline Van / Woody’s to sponsor 360 Racing, develop VANDOIT adventure van For Immediate Release Kline Van / Woody’s to sponsor 360 Racing, develop VANDOIT

Fun Facts About the Ram!

Two new trim levels for 2016 include the Laramie Limited and the Rebel. The Laramie features a prominent badge, Argento wood, and premium leather. The

Logo Wow Primary 6 Target The Wow
Saved Vehicles
Recently Viewed

Find Your Vehicle

SEARCH MAKE, MODEL, TRIM, COLOR, OR ANYTHING ELSE...