Car battery maintenance is an important part of keeping your vehicle running smoothly. Here's everything you need to know.
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Car battery maintenance is an important part of keeping your vehicle running smoothly. Here's everything you need to know.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
A few minutes
Beginner
$5–10
Corroded battery terminals can cause several problems with your car. They can prevent the battery from fulling charging, drain the battery (resulting in your car not starting), and can also cause major damage to the alternator. Cleaning battery terminals is an easy, inexpensive preventive maintenance measure you can do yourself in about 10 minutes.
Knowing how to clean corroded battery terminals is a useful skill; especially because it only takes about ten minutes one you know how to do it. We’ll walk you through the steps and show you some tricks along the way to prevent corrosion from happening again.
Safety Note: A battery contains sulfuric acid that can cause serious burns. Always wear gloves and eye protection when working around a battery. Smoking, flames, sparks, or other ignition sources can cause a battery to catch fire or explode. Exercise caution when jump-starting or working near a battery with metal tools to prevent short circuits and sparks. If you come into direct contact with battery acid, flush with plenty of water and seek medical attention immediately.