If you’re a car owner, you know that a car battery is an essential component of your vehicle, as it provides the necessary power to start your car and keep it running smoothly. But what happens if the battery becomes corroded? Do you need to replace it?
A corroded car battery should be replaced if cleaning it does not remove the corrosion, which is a sign that the battery is reaching the end of its lifespan and is no longer functioning properly. If you continue to use a corroded battery, it could fail and cause further damage to your car.
In this article, I will discuss car battery corrosion in greater detail, including its causes and when you should replace it.
Contents
First Step: Clean Your Corroded Car Battery
A corroded battery can be due to several factors, such as environmental exposure, leaking battery acid, or age.
If you see that your car battery has corrosion, which is often white or greenish and appears as a powdery substance on the battery terminals, you should start by cleaning it.
To clean a corroded car battery, you’ll need to gather a few supplies:
- Baking soda
- Water
- An old toothbrush or wire brush
- A rag or towel
- Pliers
- Gloves
Here are the steps you can follow in cleaning a corroded battery:
- Wear gloves to protect yourself from sulfuric acid burns and irritation.
- Disconnect the battery terminals using the pliers, starting with the negative terminal, then the positive. Check the terminals for signs of excess wear and tear. If they are excessively worn out, you need to replace them.
- After you’ve disconnected your battery terminals, you can now safely clean the battery. Mix a small amount of baking soda with a bit of water to create a paste.
- Use a toothbrush or wire brush to scrub the paste onto the corroded areas. The baking soda will neutralize the acid and dissolve the corrosion.
- Once you’ve scrubbed the paste onto the battery, use the rag or towel to wipe away the excess. You should also clean the terminals, as corrosion also tends to accumulate there.
After you’ve cleaned the battery, it’s important to check the connections to ensure they’re tight, as loose connections can cause problems with the battery’s performance. If the connections are loose, use a wrench to tighten them.
Here’s a video on how to remove battery corrosion and clean a corroded battery quickly and inexpensively:
Is Corrosion on a Car Battery Dangerous?
Failing to address corrosion on a car battery can be dangerous due to the acid inside the battery leaking and reacting with the metal terminals and cables.
Below are several potential dangers of corrosion on a car battery:
- Reduced battery performance: Corrosion can interfere with the electrical current flowing through the battery, leading to reduced performance.
- Difficulty starting the car: If the corrosion is severe, it can cause the battery to malfunction, making it difficult to start the car.
- Battery failure: If the corrosion is not addressed, it can cause the battery to fail completely, leaving you stranded.
- Damage to the electrical system: Corrosion can spread to other parts of the system, causing damage and potentially leading to more expensive repairs.
- Fire risk: In extreme cases, corrosion on the battery can cause it to overheat and potentially start a fire.
Determining the Cause of Battery Corrosion
There are several causes of battery corrosion.
Age of the Battery
Batteries typically have a lifespan of five years, although, in hot climates, this may be reduced to three years. As the battery ages, it becomes less effective and may experience corrosion at the terminals. This corrosion is a natural side effect of the battery’s age, and there is usually not much you can do to prevent it.
Exposure to the Elements
Hydrogen gas leakage is the primary cause of corrosion on battery terminals. Batteries have small vents that release hydrogen gas, so if this gas comes into contact with the terminals, it can lead to corrosion.
The likelihood of corrosion depends on the amount of gas released and the vents’ position on the battery. Exposure to salt and moisture further accelerates the corrosion process.
Copper Clamps
Copper clamps, which are commonly used on batteries, can also contribute to corrosion. As current passes through these clamps, they release copper sulfate, which can cause bluish corrosion. This type of corrosion is specific to the use of copper clamps.
Battery Acid Leakage
In some cases, a battery may leak acid, which accumulates on the terminals. Acid spills can also occur during the topping-up process, leading to corrosion at the terminals. Leakages are more common in sealed lead-acid batteries, while spills are more likely to happen with overfilled batteries.
Overcharging of the Battery
The alternator is responsible for charging the car battery when the engine is running. However, if the mechanism that prevents overcharging fails, the alternator may continue to charge the battery. This can cause an increase in battery temperature and create an electrolyte push, leading to electrolyte spills through the vents.
When a battery is severely damaged, it may crack. If an acid or an electrolyte leak comes into contact with the terminals, corrosion can occur.
How to Know If You Have a Corroded Battery in the First Place
If you encounter the issues below, it may be a common symptom of a corroded battery.
Difficulty Starting the Vehicle
Corrosion is often accompanied by other issues, such as:
- Leakages
- Frayed cables
- Alternator problems
These issues can compound and cause bigger problems that make it difficult to start your car. If you’re experiencing difficulty starting your vehicle, you may want to check the battery for corrosion.
Diminished Battery Power
Corrosion can interfere with the performance of a battery, leading to issues such as:
- Dimming lights
- Malfunctioning electronics
- Loss of power
A corroded battery is also a major risk factor for stalling on the highway. While visible corrosion on the terminals and cables may be easy to spot, internal corrosion may be more difficult to detect.
I recommend getting a battery test from a certified technician, who can use specialized diagnostic tools to determine the health of your battery and whether it warrants replacement.
When to Replace a Corroded Battery
You should replace a corroded battery as soon as you notice the following:
- Ineffectiveness of cleaning in severe cases: If you frequently notice corrosion on your battery, it is a sign that the battery is in poor health. In more severe cases, cleaning may not be effective, and a replacement may be necessary.
- When your battery no longer holds charge: If normal cleaning methods cannot remove corrosion from your battery, it may be time to get a new one. Corrosion can reduce battery performance by causing an under or overcharge.
Conclusion
Battery corrosion is a natural occurrence as the battery ages, but proper maintenance and cleaning can help prevent it.
While corrosion can shorten the car battery’s lifespan, detecting and cleaning it early and replacing the battery in extreme cases can help you avoid the inconvenience of a failing battery.