How To: Clean Battery Terminals

Cleaning battery terminals and posts can help remove corrosion and ensure the best possible connection and power transfer. This basic maintenance task typically only takes a few minutes, and is also a necessity to remove any protective coatings that may be used on the terminals of your new battery. To learn more about how to clean and protect corroded battery terminals, read on, or check out our step-by-step video. Supplies Needed for This Job: 1. Safety Glasses: https://orly.cc/4e7cFKz 2. Gloves: https://orly.cc/3YKu3QZ 3. Battery Terminal Cleaner: https://orly.cc/4gNFGgf 4. Battery Terminal Protectors: https://orly.cc/3OYxA8x 5. Shop Towels: https://orly.cc/4fFCSS4 0:30 Locate Your Battery 0:40 Disconnect Battery Cables 0:50 Use Battery Cleaner 1:22 Flush Area with Water 1:35 Install Terminal Protectors 1:55 Reconnect Battery Cables 2:10 Use Battery Cleaner Battery corrosion is typically caused by small leaks around the battery posts that allows battery acid or hydrogen gas to come into contact with the battery terminals. This results in a chemical reaction that causes blue-green deposits to form around the battery terminal and post, forming a barrier that leads to high resistances between the battery post and terminal. Though this is most common in older batteries, it is possible for overcharging to cause hydrogen gas to escape, so it may be a good idea to check your charging system if you notice premature corrosion. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oreillyautoparts/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oreillyautoparts/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/oreillyauto Find your local O’Reilly Auto Parts: https://www.oreillyauto.com/locations Shop all your automotive needs: https://www.oreillyauto.com/ Subscribe and ring the notification bell! http://bit.ly/2bTyluF Check out our How-To Hub library: https://www.oreillyauto.com/how-to-hub On our channel we cover several different topics: Auto Product Descriptions DIY Auto Repair Do It Yourself Car Maintenance Car Repair How-Tos by Year, Make and Model O’Reilly Auto Parts is a retailer that provides automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States and Mexico for both professionals and do-it-yourself customers. We’ve grown from a single store in 1957 to our current size of well over 6,000 locations (and growing), and our channel offers reliable automotive information that is concise and easy to understand. #OReillyPowered #CarRepair #TeamOReilly #CarMaintenance O’Reilly Auto Parts, headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, has been a household name for aftermarket replacement parts, repair tools, interior accessories, and even professional-grade shop equipment since its founding in 1957. Since then we’ve only grown, and now have over 6,000 stores throughout the United States and Mexico–all dedicated to servicing the do-it-yourself and professional customer. The O’Reilly Auto Parts YouTube channel provides another way for us to serve our customers by offering reliable automotive repair and product selection information in a way that is easy to understand, no matter the user’s skill level. Let us help you repair your car with helpful tips and step-by-step instructions to get the job done right. DIY Battery Terminal Protector Installation How To Clean and Maintain Automotive Battery Terminals Extend Battery Lifespan with DIY Guide Battery Clean Once you’ve got your supplies together, here’s what you’ll do: Start by locating your battery… in most cases, it’s under the hood. Use a small wrench or a ratchet and socket to disconnect the battery cables, starting with the negative cable… then the positive. Take your battery cleaner and shake the can lightly… then spray down any areas where you see corrosion, including the connectors, terminals, tray, hold-down, and the surface of the battery itself. Wait a few minutes while the cleaner neutralizes surface acids, salts and corrosion. If needed, you can use a battery brush for heavy deposits on terminals and connectors. After a few minutes, flush the area with water… and wipe it down with a clean, dry shop towel or rag. Repeat this process if necessary.