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Can corrosion kill a car battery?
My car has been in long-term storage while I was overseas. It had trouble starting so I popped the hood and noticed some flakes on the battery terminals. I think it’s corroded. Can corrosion kill a car battery?
Bonnie Stinson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Yes, corrosion can kill a car battery if the damage is serious enough.
Corrosion is the result of hydrogen gas produced from the battery’s acid when it leaks and mixes with the air. Then, it crystallizes into the flaky substance you observed.
There are two possibilities here.
First, your battery may simply need a thorough cleaning. Corrosion can impede the flow of electricity by blocking the contacts. In this case, disconnect the battery and then clean it well with a toothbrush and mild household acid like vinegar before reconnecting the terminals.
Second, your battery might be beyond recovery if the terminal and other metal parts have been thoroughly destroyed by corrosion. In this case, you will need to replace the battery entirely.
You can always try cleaning the battery first and see how it performs. Depending on how long your vehicle has been in storage, you might need to bite the bullet and buy a new battery.
Now that you’re back from overseas, now might be a good time to make sure you’re still happy with your
car insurance
situation. You can use the Jerry
app to check your coverage or look for a cheaper rate. You might even find out you qualify for new discounts!View full answer
- Gregory R.
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