If your car’s battery is looking a bit rough, you may see some corrosion build upon it. Crete drivers often ask us at Sid Dillon Chevrolet Crete how to remove car battery corrosion. We’re always happy to assist. In this helpful guide from our service team, you’ll learn how to remove car battery corrosion and how to clean car battery terminals. If you find you need a new battery, contact our service team or schedule a service appointment online.

What Does Battery Corrosion Look Like?

Trouble starting your car or low voltage codes displayed on your dashboard may be signs of car battery corrosion. If these symptoms crop up, do a visual check for corrosion on your car battery. Here’s how to visually look for car battery corrosion:

• When your Chevy is fully cooled off and hasn’t been on for at least 30 minutes, pop your hood and locate your battery.
• If the terminal is covered in white (or sometimes a combo of green/blue/teal) powdery residue, you have corrosion on your battery.
• Also, look for any rust on the metal parts of your battery terminals and cables.

What Causes Car Battery Corrosion?

Are you wondering what causes car battery corrosion? Time is the leading cause. Your battery is constantly heating up and cooling down as you drive around Lincoln, and it releases hydrogen gases through ventilation. The gases mix with the surrounding material and create a residue at the connection point, which is corrosion. It occurs at the terminal because that’s where the electric connection is in a car battery.

How to Clean Car Battery Terminals

There are two main ways to clean car battery terminals. You could use a solution made specifically for cleaning car batteries, and it’s available from our parts center. You could also make a DIY solution using baking soda and a little water. Either way, be sure to put on gloves, goggles, and a mask or respirator when handling the solution or creating your own.

Using a professional battery cleaner

• Once you have a battery cleaning solution from an auto parts center around Seward, spray it on the affected surface of the battery. Then, using a stiff brush, scrub the solution until all of the corrosion is gone.

DIY battery cleaning solution

• Remove the connectors from your battery, then pour baking soda over the corrosion to neutralize the acids. Then, add a little water and dry it with a paper towel. Lastly, brush the affected area with a scrub brush or sponge until it’s gone.

After removing all the corrosion from your car’s battery terminals, you can use a rust inhibitor spray or anti-corrosion gel to prevent future corrosion.

Turn to Sid Dillon Chevrolet Crete For All of Your Service Needs

Following a regular maintenance schedule for your new Chevy will help keep it in top shape. If your vehicle requires service, or you’d like to have professional help removing battery corrosion, you can schedule an appointment with our service center near Milford. Contact us today if your battery is nearing the end of its lifespan!