Must-have tips of cleaning battery terminals to elongate battery’s life

Battery terminals should be kept clean as grime can cause current leak and shorten the life of battery. Cleaning battery terminals can not only help to elongate your battery’s life but can also save you money. Knowing how to properly clean the battery can help you avoid difficult starting and worry.

Many drivers may have already experienced difficulty starting their cars at some point sometimes. This frustrating problem is caused by buildup on the battery terminals. The problem arises more often if you don’t solve this problem as soon as possible. You need to check the battery terminals more often for corrosion. Besides, you should regularly clean your battery terminals and keep clean away from corrosion.

How to properly clean it? You should firstly remove the battery cables from the battery terminals by loosening the nut on each cable clamp. Then wiggle it and lift it upward until the clamp comes off the terminal post. If there is a lot of corrosion, you may need the assistance of pair of locking pliers. Examine the battery cables and clamps for excess wear or corrosion.

Check the battery case for cracks and the terminals for damage. Then you should secure the loose cables so that they don’t accidentally flop back onto the terminals. Pour some baking soda directly onto the posts, and dip a toothbrush in water and use it to scrub the baking soda into the terminal posts and cable clamps. Use a battery terminal cleaner brush on it if the toothbrush isn't doing the job.

Remember to dry everything off with a clean, microfiber towel to slow down the formation of corrosive deposits. Replace the rubber boot or plastic shield that covers the positive terminal. If you don’t have one, go and buy some from your local auto parts store. The negative cable should always be removed first and attached last to prevent arcing.

The cleaning of battery can be time-costing job that you need to be patient. If the weather is cold, you can add some cooling system flush to help your cleaning. Or you can purchase a battery cleaner spray to protect your battery well to good condition.