Are Your Cars Battery Terminals Corroded Vancouver Auto Repair
When was the last time you checked on your car batterys health? Chances are, you dont really look at your battery unless you have to replace it or give your vehicle (or someone elses vehicle) a jumpstart. However, its a good idea to check in on your battery on occasion to make sure its clean and the connection is solid.
Your vehicle can stall or have trouble starting for several reasons, including an old or bad battery. However, sometimes your car wont start even though your battery is perfectly fine. It could be something as simple as corroded battery terminals or cables.
The good news is you might not have to replace anything. It might be as simple as cleaning the corrosion off the terminals or cables. That might sound a little intimidating to some car owners, but the truth is, this is a job that almost anyone can handle.
Prep Work for Cleaning Corroded Battery Terminals
Start by getting all the supplies. In fact, if youre lucky, you might already have everything youll need for the job at your home. Heres what youll need:
- Distilled water
- Baking soda
- Petroleum jelly or Vaseline
- A smooth cloth with no lint
- A toothbrush you dont plan on using anymore
- A container to mix everything
- A clean spray bottle
Just mix the ingredients in the mixing container using a cup of the distilled water and a tablespoon of baking soda, until it turns clear. You can let the toothbrush soak in the mixture while you remove the battery cables from the terminals. Start with the black negative side and then the red positive side.
Next up its time to clean. Scrub as hard as you need to, to get the terminals clean of all corrosion. Just keep dipping the toothbrush into the solution as needed and scrub until the terminals are shiny and free of corrosion. Now its time for the spray bottle. Using distilled water again, spray the terminals to rinse them and then wipe them dry with your lint-free towel. Be sure they are completely dry!
Lastly, spread a small amount of petroleum jelly on both terminals until they are thoroughly covered. This helps protects the terminals and cables from further corrosion. Now its time to reconnect the battery cables. This time youll go in reverse order, starting with the positive red cable and then the black negative cable. But be sure you clean the cables of any corrosion as well, using the same method. Dry them thoroughly before reconnecting.
Trusted Vancouver Auto Repair Shop
If your battery is giving you fits and youre not sure why, then come see us in downtown Vancouver today. Well test your battery and even clean your terminals. If its time for a new battery, well make sure you get the right replacement.
At Hoesly, we take care of you the right way, so you dont have to stress about auto repair. We offer reliable, affordable auto repair from ASE certified technicians. If you need any kind of service or repair in Vancouver please call us today 360-695-5871 or click here to set up an appointment online. Hoesly Eco Automotive is your trusted auto repair shop in Vancouver.
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