Your car is important to you so it is important to keep it operating smoothly. Performing some basic maintenance on your vehicle will not only save you money, but it will contribute to the longevity of the vehicle’s life.

If your battery terminals are corroded, you can experience problems such as a rough start, or your vehicle may not even start at all. This can leave you stranded and frustrated. Luckily, it is simple to clean your battery terminals yourself.

  • Purchase a specialy wire brush that is designed to clean the battery terminals.  You can find one at your local automotive store.
  • Use a ratchet and socket to take out the battery cables.  All the time detach the negative terminal before disconnecting the positive one, and be careful removing the cables.  You do not want to damage the cables so place them out of the work area.
  • Use toothpaste on each terminal to cut through corrosion and scrub using the wire brush.  Apply light pressure to the terminals so you do not break them.  Take a wet rag to remove any debris and then scrub hard to remove corrosion with steel wool.  Make sure to wear your safety gear.
  • Repeat step 3 to clean the cable terminals thoroughly.  Use light pressure to scrub around the terminals, taking care not to pull on the cable or damage it.  When reattaching the cables, start with the positive terminal and tighten the nuts securely.
READ:  Buying a Battery: How to Save and When to Run