What Causes Corrosion on Battery Terminals?

 

What Does it Mean When You See Corrosion on the Positive Terminal of Your Battery?

Have you ever noticed corrosion on the Positive Terminal of your Battery and wondered what it meant? The substance can be either greenish blue or white, depending on the type of metal of the terminal ends. If the substance is greenish blue, its copper sulfate. The copper from the terminal clamp reacts with the lead in the battery. If the clamps are aluminum, it’ll be whiter in color, creating aluminum sulfate. In either case, you may notice the battery quality start to degrade.

What Causes Corrosion on Battery Terminals?

There are a few things that can cause Corrosion on Battery Terminals: 

- Overcharging: When you see corrosion on the Positive Terminal, this means the Battery may be overcharging.

- Vibration: Automotive batteries are designed to withstand vibration, but too much vibration can still cause damage.

- Environmental factors: Batteries are also susceptible to damage from extreme heat or cold.

- Loose connections: If the terminal clamps are loose, they can allow moisture and air to enter and cause corrosion. 

How to Prevent Corrosion on Battery Terminals

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prevent corrosion on your battery terminals:

- Check for loose connections and tighten them if necessary.

- Keep your Battery clean by removing dirt and grime with a wire brush or cloth.

- Apply petroleum jelly or other corrosion-resistant substances to prevent further corrosion.

- Check your battery regularly for signs of corrosion and have it replaced if necessary.

Corrosion on Battery terminals is a common issue that can be caused by overcharging, vibration, environmental factors, or loose connections. To prevent corrosion, you should check for loose connections, keep your Battery clean, and apply petroleum jelly or other corrosion-resistant substances to the terminals. If you notice continued signs of corrosion, you should have your battery replaced.

Choosing the team you can trust is key, Rick’s Auto Service with over 45 years performing auto repairs across Northern Indiana. We provide you with expert customer service and knowledgeable ASE Technicians who can diagnosis the problem for most makes and models.

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