How to clean your car’s battery terminals

Many times, the little problems with your vehicle cause the biggest headaches. A faulty electrical system will prevent any possibility of ignition and the engine running, regardless of how new your car may be. Corroded terminals can run the gamut from a minor nuisance to a major emergency, depending on where you may be at the time when the battery refuses to spark.

Terminal trouble: give your car a fresh start!
Refusal to clean the buildup that naturally occurs on the positive and negative contacts can spell big trouble, especially since problematic start-ups tend to happen at the most inopportune times (e.g. on a cold winter morning, in the parking lot at work, etc.). Fortunately, it just as easy to clean battery terminals as it is to let them gather debris, so long as you have the right materials.

For safety reasons, always remember to kill power to the engine and disconnect the battery (negative cable first) before doing any work. Electrical shock from a vehicle is enough to fatally wound a person, which is why you should also wear a pair of rubber gloves when performing this job. While it may not be the case, a significant amount of corrosion may be the result of a bad battery, particularly when the buildup occurs relatively quickly. Inspect the casing for any potential leaks, and if so, replace as soon as possible.

A baking soda/distilled water mix is the ultimate terminal cleaning solution. Mix 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and start by lightly scrubbing the affected areas with an old (preferably hard-bristled) toothbrush. Keep applying the cleanser until all areas of the battery are free of debris, then spray the grime away with clean water once more.

After drying the terminals and battery casing with a cloth, finish by lubricating the ends, posts, and clamps with petroleum jelly. One final tip that can be used in desperate situations (you know, being stranded on the side of the road somewhere) is to douse the terminals in a bottle of Coca Cola. This soda is highly acidic and will effortlessly dissolve the corrosion, just remember not to drink it afterwards!