Cleaning Car Battery Terminals

Turn off the vehicle and remove the keys from the ignition. Put on safety goggles and gloves to protect your eyes and skin from battery acid.

Open the hood and locate the battery. Identify the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals.

Using a wrench, first loosen the bolt on the negative terminal and disconnect it. Then, loosen and disconnect the positive terminal.

Use a battery cleaning solution or a mixture of baking soda and water to clean any corrosion present on the terminals and battery posts. Apply the solution with an old toothbrush or a terminal cleaning brush.

Rinse the terminals and battery posts with clean water. Make sure to dry them thoroughly with a clean cloth or towel to prevent any short-circuiting.

Reattach the battery terminals, starting with the positive one. Tighten the bolts firmly to ensure a good connection.

Make sure everything is secure and there are no loose connections. Dispose of any cleaning materials safely and wash your hands thoroughly after completing the task.

Before performing maintenance, inspect the battery for any signs of damage or leaks which may require it to be replaced rather than cleaned.

After cleaning, consider applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the terminals, which can help prevent future corrosion.

Aim to check and clean your battery terminals regularly as part of routine vehicle maintenance to avoid starting issues and extend the battery life.