What causes car battery terminal corrosion?
Corrosion on the battery terminals is caused by hydrogen gas being released from the acid in the battery. The hydrogen mixes with other chemicals in your battery such as sulfuric acid, resulting in a build-up forming on your battery’s terminals.
Learn more about why corrosion occurs >
If it is not cleaned, battery corrosion can affect the flow of electricity between the battery and the rest of your car. This can result in your battery not charging correctly and running out power quickly. To avoid a flat battery, it is recommended that you check your battery terminals for a white build-up routinely.
Symptoms of battery corrosion:
Problems starting your car – When a car’s battery terminals are badly corroded, they may not be able to provide the rest of your car with the electrical energy required to start the engine.
Battery dying quickly – You may find that your car’s battery is running flat after a short amount of time using the electrical accessories such as the radio or lights. This is due to the battery being unable to charge to its full capacity.
Visible corrosion on the battery terminals – Perhaps the most obvious symptom of battery corrosion is a white, powdery substance which form around the battery terminals and can be difficult to remove.
How to avoid car battery terminal corrosion
To avoid car battery terminal corrosion, you can take the following preventive measures:
- Routinely clean the battery terminals: Clean the battery terminals regularly, at least once every six months or as needed. Remove any visible corrosion or buildup using a wire brush, battery terminal cleaner, or a mixture of baking soda and water. Ensure that the terminals are completely dry before reconnecting them.
- Apply a terminal protectant: After cleaning the terminals, apply a thin layer of terminal protectant or corrosion inhibitor. These products are available in spray or gel form and create a protective barrier on the terminals, minimizing the chances of corrosion formation. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper application.
How to clean corrosion off of the battery?
To clean the corrosion off of your car battery mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of very hot water. You can use an old toothbrush, dip it into the mixture and scrub the corrosion off or just pour the mixture over top of the battery. If your battery cables even have corrosion on them you can dip them in hot water to dissolve any corrosion.
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Other causes of a flat car battery:
Corroded terminals are not the only causes of an underperforming car battery. If you have ruled out battery corrosion as the cause, other potential problems include:
- A faulty alternator or charging system
- A constant current drain when key is off
- The battery itself is old and in need of replacement.
Alternator Repairs – Car Battery Replacement
Car Battery Terminal Cleaning & Repair in Hamilton
Is your car’s battery terminals covered in corrosion? Are you having other battery or power related issues If so, we can help!
Our qualified, friendly mechanics are happy to clean your battery’s terminals for you. This will increase the flow of electricity through your vehicle, allowing the battery and electrical accessories to function properly. We can also provide a variety of other battery and charging system-related services, such as
- Battery replacement
- Alternator inspection and replacement
- Starter motor inspection and replacement
- General diagnostics of your ignition system and components
For battery corrosion cleaning and repair Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!