Battery Upkeep

[mrnickleye]

You would not believe how many vehicles come into my shop for a smog test, or some other work, and we find that the battery terminals are totally wasted. Powdery corrosion all over them.

It is probably the most neglected part on the car.

New terminals are only a $1 or 2 each.

Use baking soda mixed in warm water to pour and brush (stiff 1" paint brush trimmed down to about 1" of brisles is cheap) onto the battery terminals. It neutralizes the acid. Then use plain water to rinse it all off.

You can get a post/terminal cleaner tool at any parts store for a couple of $$.

Those little 'anti-corrosion' felt discs you put under the new terminal work good to keep them clean.

Cut the cable back some, and strip the insulation with a knife.

If there is white powdery corrosion in the copper wiring down in the cable, trim it back until its all gone, or replace the cable.

I personally HATE those 'anti-corrosion' sprays. They are icky-messy.

You don't need those rubber terminal covers, either. They look good new, but hide the corrosion from view. (I think this is one reason so many cars have coroded terminals).

There purpose of those rubber terminal covers is to help keep the positive post covered to prevent some fool touching it with metal, and grounding it out to the negative post, or other metal part. Shorts and sparks, etc.= bad !