Ever found yourself stuck with a dead battery, wondering how it came to this? You're not alone. Batteries are like the unsung heroes of our cars, silently working in the background – until they're not.
And since few people even think about their batteries until they’re left stranded, let’s spare a thought for the uncelebrated powerhouse under the hood and learn a thing or two about keeping it in top-notch shape.
We’ve covered basic battery care on the blog before, but today we’re going deeper into the cleaning process. Specifically, why you should do it, what to look for, and where to start.
Meet Your Battery
As much as we tend to push our car battery health to the periphery of our thoughts, it plays a pivotal role in keeping our vehicles running smoothly (or, well, at all).
While a car can technically run without a battery, it can’t start without one. Acting as a power reserve, it provides the necessary oomph to get things up and moving. The battery also powers all your accessories – like the A/C, radio, and those much-appreciated seat heaters – while also serving as a surge protector by stabilizing all that energy. Amazingly, it does all this and charges itself back up with a little help from your vehicle’s alternator.
The average car battery does all this for about 3-5 years before its performance starts to suffer. But excessive wear and tear, extreme temperatures, even just aggressive driving habits can all shorten its lifespan. That’s why it’s important to check in with it from time and time and, yes, give it a cleaning.
Why Should I Clean My Car Battery?
Your car’s battery is exposed to a challenging environment under the hood. And in addition to dust, dirt, and road debris, a layer of corrosive buildup occurs over time. Often a byproduct of battery acid, it can accumulate on the terminals and surrounding areas, impeding the flow of electrical currents, compromising performance, and potentially leading to starting problems.
Regular cleaning gets rid of the gunk and helps prevent these corrosion-related issues from ever happening. It’s also a pretty easy job to do, taking no more than 30 minutes (assuming you aren’t dealing with any significant corrosion or complications).
Signs to Look for When Cleaning
Before we jump into the how-to, there are few red flags you should watch out for. These issues could pop up before or during the cleaning process and will help you better assess what kind of maintenance care your battery may need.
Corrosion Buildup. Corrosion – which typically appears as a white, ashy substance on the battery terminals – is a natural byproduct of the chemical reactions occurring within the battery. However, if you’re seeing a lot of corrosion or it keeps coming back even after regular clean-ups, it could indicate a larger issue like overcharging or a leaking battery.
Resistance When Removing Terminals. If you encounter resistance when trying to disconnect the battery terminals, it could be a sign of corrosion or of excessively tightened connections from a previous installation or service. Take extra care to avoid damaging the terminals.
Unusual Odor. If you notice a distinct sulfuric or rotten egg-like smell, do not ignore it. This odor is often associated with a leaking battery or a malfunction within the internal components. A sulfur stink indicates the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas, which is released when sulfuric acid, commonly found in car batteries, reacts with other chemicals. This is not something you want to be inhaling – or touching – so call in a pro.
Visible Damage. Similarly, if you see visible damage, such as cracks, bulges, or leakage, it’s highly recommended you seek professional assistance. Damaged batteries need to be replaced, as they can pose serious safety hazards – so don’t touch anything without gloves and safety glasses.
Car Battery Cleaning Step By Step
Now that you know what to watch out for, let’s run through the steps for a standard cleaning. You’ll need: an adjustable wrench or battery pliers, baking soda, a small cup of water, a soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush, disposable cloth or paper towels, and proper protective gear.
Step 1: Turn off the vehicle. This should be obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. Before you touch anything under the hood, turn off the engine and let the vehicle cool down.
Step 2: Disconnect the battery. This is very important, so do not skip it! Cleaning the battery while it is connected can lead to a nasty electrical shock – for you and your vehicle. So, using a wrench or pair of battery pliers, gently loosen and remove the negative (-) terminal. Once that is disconnected, move on to the positive (+) terminal. Typically, the negative terminal is black and the positive is red. Disconnecting the terminals in this sequence minimizes the risk of sparks near the battery, as the negative terminal is usually connected to the vehicle's chassis, providing a grounding point.
Step 3: Give everything a look-over. Now is when you want to inspect the battery for some of those red flags we mentioned above. Take stock of the dirt and corrosion, and look closely for any signs of visible damage, such as cracks, bulges, or leakage.
Step 4: Mix up a baking soda solution. In a container, mix a solution of baking soda and warm water. This solution helps neutralize any acid present on the battery terminals. A couple of tablespoons of baking soda in a cup of water should be sufficient. The mixture should be paste-like but not so thick that it can’t be easily applied with a toothbrush. (You can adjust the ratio as needed.)
Step 5: Clean the terminals. Dip the soft-bristle brush or toothbrush into the baking soda solution, and use it to gently scrub away any corrosion on the battery terminals. Pay attention to both the terminals and the cable ends.
Step 6: Rinse and dry. After scrubbing, use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe away the baking soda solution. Make sure that no residue remains on the battery terminals, and allow them to air dry thoroughly. It’s important that there is no moisture left on the terminals before moving to the next step.
Step 7: Reconnect the battery. Reconnect the positive (+) terminal first, followed by the negative (-) terminal. (You will note that this is the opposite sequence of before.) Ensure the connections are tight but avoid over-tightening, as this can cause damage.
It’s that simple! Once you’ve buttoned everything up, it’s a good idea to perform a few systems checks both with the engine on and off. Make sure all the lights and electrical accessories are working as they should, and that the engine starts smoothly without hesitation. If you’d like, you can also use a multimeter to check the battery voltage. A fully charged battery should read around 12.6 volts.
If you notice any persistent issues – or see one of the red flags mentioned above – then it’s time to call up your mechanic for further inspection and diagnosis. Otherwise, pat yourself on the back for a job well done and for helping to extend the life of your battery.