How to Clean Car Battery Terminal
When a car is running well and has the lights, radio, and A/C on, that’s all because of the battery. If the battery isn’t working properly, then none of the electronics will, either. Even more so, your car may not run, leaving you without a mode of transportation in Santa Fe, White Rock, or La Cienega.
One way to prevent a battery from failing is to get rid of any corrosion that may be inside it. The process is actually easy to do, if you follow our step-by-step guide on how to clean a car battery terminal.
If you prefer to have an expert do the job, then schedule service at Land Rover Santa Fe.
Cleaning a Car Battery Terminal
Before you clean the car battery terminals, make sure your car is turned off. Then, complete the following steps:
- Disconnect the clamps that are fastened to the positive and negative terminals on the battery.
- Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a cup of water to make your cleaning solution.
- Dip a toothbrush into the solution and scrub the battery clamps and posts.
- Rinse the battery and cables with cool water, then dry with a clean cloth.
- Use petroleum jelly to lubricate all the exposed metal on the terminals, posts, and clamps.
- Reattach the positive clamp to the appropriate terminal, and then do the same with the negative one.
How to Test a Car Battery
Once the terminals are all clean, you’ll want to test the car battery to make sure everything is in proper working order.
Make sure the engine is off and that all lights/electronics are shut off, as well. Then, grab a voltmeter and connect the positive (red) test lead to the positive terminal on the battery. Once that’s done, you’ll want to connect the negative (black) test lead to the negative terminal on the battery.
When everything is connected, it’s time to check the reading on the voltmeter. A car battery voltage should be 12.6. If it’s reading at 12.2 volts, then it’s 50% charged. And if it’s less than 12.0 volts, then it’s at 0%.
If the battery is at 50% or less, you’ll want to get it charged as soon as possible.
Getting a New Car Battery
A car battery life is usually about four years. If it’s under four years old, has an above 12.4-volt reading, and can easily accept and hold a charge, then it’s a good battery. On the flip side, if it’s over five years old, reads at less than 12.0 volts, and can’t hold a charge, then it’s considered to be a bad battery.
It may also be bad battery if the case is cracked, the terminals are loose, or the battery filler caps are missing.
If you currently have a bad battery, then it’ll need to be replaced right away. While you could do this yourself, it’s best left to the professionals. They’ll get a battery that’s the right type and size for your specific vehicle. Plus, they’ll make sure that it’s strong enough to work in cold weather.
Schedule Brake Service Today
If you need a battery repair or replacement near Santa Fe, White Rock, or La Cienega, don’t wait. Get your vehicle in tip-top shape again by scheduling service at Land Rover Santa Fe today!