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How do you clean car battery terminals?
I found some residue on the terminals of my car’s battery, and I want to get it cleaned out to prevent more corrosion. I’m not sure of what materials or tools I may need. How do you clean car battery terminals?
Payton Ternus · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Good job on keeping an eye out for your car battery, it does need its own care to keep your car running.
Hydrogen sulfide gas can eat away at the connections between the battery cables and posts, so it’s important to clean out the connection points to keep your car running well and avoid stalling. Put on some work gloves and follow these steps to clean your car battery terminals:
- Locate the battery using your owner’s manual and remove any covers to gain access.
- Lift the terminal covers to access the cable clamps. They may be delicate so be careful in handling them, and wipe away any white residue with a towel or rag.
- Disconnect the battery by loosening the negative clamp first, then the positive. You may need pliers if there is excess corrosion. Make sure you don’t touch any other metal objects!
- Clean the terminals using equal amounts baking soda and water, or a cola product. Apply with a toothbrush, and use a wire brush to remove the excess.
- Rinse the terminals with a spray bottle and dry them with a rag.
- Reconnect the battery by connecting the positive clamp first, then the negative. Reinstall the terminal covers and any cover for the battery.
After you take care of your car’s battery, download the
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- Gregory R.
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