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Blog - Clean Car Battery Corrosion


January 21, 2021

How to Clean Corrosion from Your Car Battery

You rush out to your vehicle to beat the morning traffic only to discover that your car won't start. You lift your hood for further inspection and stumble across white, blue, and green-tinged gunk overtaking your battery.

Corroded car battery terminals can happen to anyone — especially at the most inconvenient time! If your INFINITI's battery is a victim of this unsightly build-up, check out these tips to remove the corrosion and help maintain your battery's useful life!


Why Do Battery Terminals Corrode?

The battery is the powerhouse of your vehicle. When it's not maintained properly, a long host of issues could occur, such as poor engine performance, starting problems, and corrosion. The terminals, which link your battery to your vehicle's electrical system, are where the corrosion is likely to accrue.

If ignored for too long, corrosion can spread to other parts of your battery and block the electrical currents needed to power your vehicle. Here are just a few factors that can lead to battery corrosion.

1. Battery Age

The most common cause of corrosion is an old battery. As they age, malfunctioning can occur, and corrosion can begin to form.

2. Leaky Battery Fluid

Many car batteries contain sulfuric acid, which helps to generate the electricity needed to power your vehicle. Damaged or outdated batteries can leak, resulting in acid on the metal post. The chemical reaction between the metal and sulfuric acid leads to a corroded battery.

3. Improperly Charged Batteries

If you notice that one terminal is corroded but not the other, it's likely that your vehicle is either overcharged or not charging properly. If the negative terminal is corroded, for example, your battery may be undercharged, and a failing voltage regulator could be to blame.

If the positive anode is exclusively corroded, it's possible that your battery may be overcharged. A catalyst for this may be a malfunctioning battery cell, which can lead to lost voltage. When this happens, your alternator begins to overcompensate for the loss of power by excessively charging your battery. And if it continues for a lengthy period of time, hydrogen gas is released in copious amounts, and corrosion occurs.

This list of reasons is by no means conclusive, as there are a multitude of things that could lead to battery corrosion. That's why it's important to stay informed by reviewing relevant information about your INFINITI's battery, maintenance guidelines, and replacement schedules.

How to Clean Battery Terminal Corrosion

Fortunately, removing corrosion from a car battery is a simple task, and you can do it from the comfort of your own driveway. Neutralizing agents like soda, vinegar, and baking soda, can help clean corroded battery terminals effectively.

You'll need seven common household items for this project: an old toothbrush for scrubbing, baking soda as the solvent, a cup of water, petroleum jelly, a rag for clean up, work gloves, and safety glasses.

  1. Turn off your vehicle before handling any electrical components of your car.
  2. Disconnect your battery terminals, and to avoid possible injury, remove the negative connector (-) entirely before removing the positive (+) one.
  3. Apply your solvent by covering each terminal and other corroded areas with baking soda. Then, pour small amounts of water until you generate a fizzing reaction.
  4. Scrub away residue using a toothbrush — including any clamps, terminals, or nodes that have been affected. To clean hard-to-remove residue, try using a wire brush.
  5. Flush the solution away with clean water.
  6. Dry your battery and terminals completely with the rag before moving to the next step.
  7. Apply petroleum jelly with a gloved finger to the clean battery terminals to help prevent corrosion in the future.
  8. Reconnect your cables to the battery.
  9. Check your vehicle to make sure it starts. If it doesn't, ensure that your battery terminals are properly connected.

If the corrosion is dense and you are unable to completely remove it from your clamps or terminals, pour one teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of water, and stir. Then, let your terminals and clamps sit in the agent for approximately 20 minutes to help loosen the clamps.

Resolve Battery Issues with INFINITI Parts

Do your car battery terminals keep corroding no matter how many times you clean it? It may be time for a replacement! Shop genuine battery replacement parts from INFINITI parts to help keep your electrical system running smoothly!


Shop INFINITI Batteries Shop Electrical System Parts Shop All INFINITI Parts

Material in this article is for general information purposes only and was accurate as of the date of first publication. Information is subject to change and does not constitute an offer, representation or warranty (express or implied) by Nissan North America, Inc. ("Company"). Interested parties should confirm the accuracy of any information in this website as it relates to a vehicle directly with Company before relying on it to make a purchase decision. Unless expressly referenced, Company does not endorse and is not affiliated with any company that might be mentioned in this article. Company is not responsible or liable for the availability of links to websites or resources, or for any content, advertising, products, services, privacy policies, or other materials on or available through these websites or resources, or for your reliance thereon. Any references to data or products are subject to change without notice. Trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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