Car battery corrosion is one of the common issues that most drivers experience. With time, contamination and acid buildup on the battery terminal resulted in multiple electric issues in the car. To avoid this issue, getting your vehicle regular services is advisable. To provide you with more knowledge, we have combined causes and prevention tips for car battery terminal corrosion. So, let’s begin!
What Is the Corrosion of Battery Terminal?
This is a white, blue, or greenish powdery substance typical of battery terminals and cables. It is a product of a chemical reaction between hydrogen gas, air, moisture, and salt.
This powdery material may affect battery performance, making it harder for your car to start and shortening the battery life. It is important to have your corroded battery terminals cleaned by car battery services and maintained frequently to make the vehicle run smoothly.
Causes of Corrosion of Battery Terminal
Overfilled Batteries
A factor that can lead to battery terminal corrosion is an overfilled battery. This could also include electrodes and terminals of the battery. The corrosion process is the result of a chemical reaction that happens inside the battery.
Overfilled batteries may result in:
- Dilution of the electrolyte
- Greater leakage or spillage
- The disruption of the battery casing or its seals
- Shorter battery life-span and capacity
Keeping the proper electrolyte levels is the key to preventing corrosion, which overfilled batteries can cause.
Use a flooded lead acid battery, and you have to check the water level in the car battery. You should carefully provide the distilled water into each cell up to the water level that covers the plates and barely reaches the cell top. If you fill the water level higher than this, you will likely start the car battery corrosion.
Damaged or Leaking Batteries
Protect the battery terminals against corrosion by replacing the damaged or leaky batteries. The build-up of electrolytes on terminals could be an occurrence from damaged or leaking batteries, which then lead to corrosion.
Physical damage like falling the battery or battery age or wear, is the potential reason for damaged or leaking batteries. Battery handling and replacement should be done in a careful and timely manner to avoid corrosion damages caused by inefficient batteries or leaking batteries, which would also cause damage to the battery cables.
Overcharging and High Temperature
Charging beyond the recommended current is a major factor leading to the corrosion of batteries. Overcharging is the main source of battery corrosion, which happens when the battery is charged in excess of its capacity, leading to high temperatures, expansion of electrolytes, and accumulation of corrosion.
The main point is that the sulphuric acid boils if you overcharge a flooded lead-acid battery. This would result in two things: the excess of gas buildup and the corrosion of advanced battery terminals.
The corrosion process can manifest due to high temperatures, which make the battery overheat. Following the correct charging procedures and avoiding exposing your battery to extreme heat will help you prevent corrosion. It is normally associated with overcharging or high temperatures. Hence, if you feel any issue with the battery, you can get your battery issue fixed by Erics Car Care.
Prevention Tips for Car Battery Terminal Corrosion
In this section, we will cover different preventative measures you may adopt to avoid corrosion and maintain your battery’s performance in this part.
Regular Maintenance and Inspection
Regular maintenance and inspection of your battery are of utmost importance to prevent battery corrosion. Ensure the proper operation and battery life by checking the battery terminals for corrosion and cleaning them regularly when necessary.
Besides cleaning the terminals, inspecting the battery for signs of damage or leaks is as well a significant activity. If any problems are spotted, you should take immediate measures to avoid additional corrosion and take your car to a European auto repair shop.
Protective Coating And Dielectric Grease
Another way to prevent battery terminal corrosion is by applying a protective coating and dielectric grease to the terminals. Such materials can contribute to the inhibition of corrosion and will consequently enhance the lifespan of your battery.
Scrub Terminals with the Wire Brush
Use a thin layer of grease or protective coating. Be sure to check the protective coatings and grease on a regular basis. Add them as necessary to ensure continued protection from corrosion.
Proper Charging Practices
The step of right charging practices is another important factor that is necessary to avoid battery terminal corrosion. Charging the battery at moderate temperatures and giving the battery a break from overcharging will efficiently preserve the battery’s health and keep performance high.
The proper charging practices include avoiding complete charge cycles or overnight charging, limiting the use of fast charging, and ensuring that the battery is not fully charged or discharged. It can help prevent overcharging and expose the battery to high temperatures, both of which can cause corrosion and damage the battery.
Final Thoughts
Battery terminal corrosion is a common issue that can affect the performance of the vehicle. It can affect the electrical issue of the car and result in the failure of the battery. To avoid such issues call us at 713-352-8058 to get an inspection of your car battery today.
