A typical car battery will last for three years. It is the necessary equipment that ensures your car is always running. However, it requires regular cleaning to keep it in good running condition.
Not cleaning a car battery can lead to a host of issues. Therefore, cleaning your battery is vital to ensure your car’s good running condition.
If your battery is acting up, there is a solution. Keep reading below to learn how to clean a car battery!
Prepare Your Supplies for Car Battery Cleaning
You will need some cleaner. It can be a simple household cleaner or a more specific battery cleaner.
You will also need a brush to help remove any dirt or grime on the battery. Furthermore, you will need some cloth to wipe down the battery after you have cleaned it.
Disconnect Battery Cables
You can do this by loosening the retaining bolt with a wrench and pulling the cable off the terminal. Don’t forget which cable goes where. The positive (red) line goes on the positive terminal, and the negative (black) cable goes on the negative terminal.
Inspect Your Car Battery
A car battery can become covered in dirt and grime, preventing it from working correctly. Inspecting your car battery every few months to ensure it is clean and free of any build-up would be best. If you find that your battery is dirty or if there are signs of corrosion, make sure to clean it as soon as possible.
If the corrosion or problems in your car battery are severe, it may be best to get a new one.
When buying batteries, know that there are batteries for different types of vehicles. Check out these marine leisure batteries, which can power up high-performance boats.
Neutralize the Corrosion
You can do it by using a solution of baking soda and water. The baking soda will help neutralize the corrosion’s acidic properties, and the water will help flush it away.
Make sure to remove the caps from the battery. Be careful not to touch the acid inside the battery.
Pour the solution of water and baking soda into the battery. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes. Then, use a brush to scrub the corrosion from the battery.
Rinse the battery with water and dry it off. Make sure it’s completely dry and clean before reinstalling.
Reinstall the Battery
Reinstalling a car battery is a straightforward process that anyone can do. Before doing so, ensure the area where you place the battery is clean. It includes the terminals and the surrounding battery tray.
If there is any corrosion on the terminals, you will want to clean it off with a wire brush. Once the area is clean, you can reinstall the battery and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the terminals to protect them from corrosion. Be sure to tighten the terminals so they don’t come loose.
Maintain Optimal Performance By Learning How to Clean a Car Battery Properly
Cleaning a car battery is an integral part of maintaining your car. Doing this every few months is essential to prevent build-up on the terminals. By learning how to clean a car battery efficiently, your vehicle will last longer and perform better than one that is not regularly maintained.
Want to learn more tips to get your car in tip-top shape? Check out the rest of our blogs for more!
