What Causes Car Battery Corrosion and How to Remove It

If that is the case, I would immediately send the car for a further checkup to find out if there is something wrong with the battery.

Some might say that I am overreacting to the thought that a little corrosion might cause harm to the entire car, but corroded battery terminals can lead to severe problems in your engine if it is left unchecked. It could be the reason why your car suddenly stops functioning or have an engine breakdown in the middle of nowhere.

What Does Corrosion On Car Battery Mean?

What Causes Corrosion on Car Batteries?

Car batteries are placed inside the car and are generally protected from the natural external elements. However, I would also ask myself, how does a well-protected item inside the car get affected by corrosion? This led me to research what car batteries are made of and how they get affected by different things, which causes them to corrode. As I've noticed, it all boils down to chemistry.

The most common reason behind this build-up is the fact that many batteries contain sulfuric acid. The rise in temperature, especially during the summer seasons, causes gases to be released from the battery through the vents. These gases are created due to the rise and fall of the temperatures. These gases then get mixed with other elements outside of the battery, thus causing the powdery white to bluish build-up that you normally see on the surface.

However, after spending time researching on what can cause car battery corrosion, I've discovered there are a lot of reasons why car batteries get corroded.

1. Battery Age

Age plays a huge role in the overall integrity of the car battery. One thing I noticed is that the car battery that is still being used beyond 5 years tend to develop more terminal corrosion than those that are still new. No matter how frequently I maintain the vehicle, it will always start to develop some corrosion over time. Batteries usually have a lifespan of about 5 years, and if you continue to use them over time, it will always succumb to the normal wear and tear, thus influencing the corrosion and the overall performance of your car.

2. Overcharging

Another huge factor that can lead to battery corrosion is overcharging. This usually happens when I try to charge the batteries way too often and way too much. Overcharging, as I have found out, can increase the temperature in the batteries, which expands the electrolytes found inside. This causes pressure within the batteries, and it leaks out, causing the electrolytes to flow through the cracks. The electrolytes then get tangled up in the terminals, thereby causing the corrosion.

3. Too Much Water

One of the factors that I noticed that added to the corrosion of the car battery is adding too much water. I highly advised avoiding putting too much water in the refillable battery, especially if it has already gone beyond the mark. Make sure that you also fill the battery up on a cool day so that the liquid can have enough space to expand, especially when the temperature rises again. Adding too much water seemed to overflow the battery, and the excess liquid flowed out through the vents, thus causing deterioration.

4. Copper Clamps

As I mentioned a while ago, chemistry plays a huge role in the corrosion of batteries and the formation of the buildup around the terminals. Copper clamps are generally used as a conductor as they don't easily corrode. However, when electricity is produced through the clamps, it mixes with the sulfuric gases that come from within the battery, thus forming what is called copper sulfate. Copper sulfate is the bluish powdery substance you see building up on the terminals. This is the reason why I mostly have trouble starting my car since electricity doesn't conduct well with the presence of copper sulfate.

5. Electrolyte Leakage

How To Remove Car Battery Corrosion

Knowing that I have car battery corrosion is just half the case. Learning to remove the corrosion is the key element to saving the battery and the car overall. The first thing that I do in removing the corrosion from the car battery is to disconnect the battery cables first. This is an important rule that you and I have to follow to avoid getting burned or shocked. Always disconnect the negative cable first before the positive one. I always keep reminding myself to do this for my safety.

After removing the battery, I would then check the cables if there any damage and see if they are worn out. I would also check if they are dried or cracked or even splintered in some way that could also cause corrosion. If I do find some form of damage, I have them replaced immediately.

Now, after checking the cables, it is time to remove the corrosion from the battery and the terminals. I would simply use a cleaning agent or the ones that I found in car maintenance shops or sections in the store. This will help clear out the corrosion from the battery and help reduce the acidity of the battery as well.

Apart from using commercial battery cleaning agents, I would also like to share a few tricks if these cleaning agents are not available in your area. I've discovered that these tricks are helpful in cleaning and removing the substances that cause corrosion without having to invest a lot of money into it.

1. Baking Soda

I would mix baking soda and water first and apply them to the terminals to remove copper sulfate build-up. I also make sure that the battery terminals are removed, and the car's ignition has been turned off for safety purposes. I just pour the baking soda solution over the brush the terminals until the build-up is removed. I then use clean water to clean up the rest of the terminal and smear some grease to protect the terminals.

2. Coke or Soda

Another trick that I've used is to incorporate soda into the mixture. Simply pour soda on the terminal and either brush or wipe the residue. Coke has carbonic acid, which is a great way to remove the residue from the terminals.

Conclusion