Corrosion on Your Car / Truck Battery? Cleaning Tips! It’s Important!

You may find some dusty green or brown corrosion on your battery, especially near the terminals or metal tie downs. If you discover this, it may be the result of an overcharge condition, undercharge condition, or excessive venting of the battery. This video shows you how to clean the battery up, why you should, and other places to check for additional corrosion, like the terminal ends and wires, that could cause more problems with your electrical system, even after you replace a battery!
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⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While 1A Auto strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. 1A Auto is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

[@1AAuto]

√ *Watch the Video* √ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto √ *Do it Yourself* √ *Save Money*

[@allyscott6138]

Female who has always been dependant on others to help with car issues. Unfortunately most people think they know BUT THEY DONT KNOW what their doing! These videos are just perfect me and others who are just learning. Thank you so much. Amazing...

[@newttella1043]

You are correct! Dudes don't want to admit to how clueless they are so they just charge ahead with a "fix".

[@annasimmers9549]

Ditto

[@jeffreymeeks4051]

I recently graduated from automotive school and I can attest to the accuracy of this channel. Among all of the car gurus and supposed experts throughout youtube, 1A Auto gives accurate, detailed information on many veihlce issues. Much of what they discuss are concepts I learned in school.

[@Chris-mo9gt]

As someone unhappy with the help I rely on from selfless ppl these videos help me no longer need them. 😂

[@faithfulgab]

OMGGGG SAME HERE 🙌🏼THANK GOD AFOR THEIR VIDEOS 😊

[@johnhynal6633]

Gotta admit at 77 years that a red headed stranger could teach me anything about battery maintenance that I didn't know. Duh... Best presentation ever! Thanks.

[@brandongiroux7448]

Definitely the best teacher on this channel. For those who aren't full red seal mechanics, he makes things simple and direct. Thanks man!

[@johndinusson8070]

*This battery reconditioning program exceeded my presumptions. It worked on any drill battery, several AA and AAA batteries, **batery.repair** and any camera battery. The steps are simple and the act itself is exciting to do. No matter what type of battery you`ve got, it is sure to function again!*

[@ronaldkorte8094]

When cleaning the tops of the batteries, I always plug the holes with rubber stoppers to keep the cleaner out of the internals of the battery. Has always worked well for me.

[@johnl9135]

I keep forget why the terminal keep getting corrosion and came here to refresh my memories, but at the same time got info how to properly cleaned the battery too. Great info, thanks.

[@Josephplaysrblx]

Blippi meets car mechanics. Loved this video and your energy!

[@Carlostype]

The best battery maintenance video there is! Never thought of contaminants getting to the cells

[@1AAuto]

Thanks for watching! Glad we could help! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-Now

[@halo2bullseye922]

Factssss !!

[@AngelTorres-pm9yl]

Lol! “You do you boo boo…” I’m in love. Brains, brans and sas! 😍 Thank you for this. Gonna work on my battery 🔋 tomorrow.

[@lloydwilliams7674]

Concise yet thorough presentation by a well spoken and obviously qualified professional. Very well done! Thanks.

[@Buttfinckle]

I just realized i usually click 1A Auto’s videos when it comes to car issues and have been doing it for nearly 10yrs. Damn

[@agostinodibella9939]

I never heard of corrosion of the different terminals due to different over or under charge conditions. That’s interesting. Very cool test with the LED bulb to show the small current drain on the top of the battery! I never saw that before, which really makes you think about keeping the battery clean! Excellent video overall!

[@indycog]

I love this guy! I knew half the info but kept watching for his moxie.

[@cornpop7805]

Thank you for taking the time to help people with their cars! I'm a lifetime electrical guy and I would like to add: Voltage doesn't flow, current flows. A lot of people like the water analogy, so let's use that. Voltage would be analogous to pressure and just assume whatever the device that requires Voltage, is already designed for that Voltage (pressure) too little or too much voltage to the device, can cause issues. However, current that flows to devices, can vary depending on certain factors. For instance, your stereo will use less current when the volume is low and more when the volume is high. Windshield wipers: less current on low than high, etc. You battery delivers more current (flow), through the cable, the more devices it's powering, could be: headlamps + radio + wipers + defrost. The alternator is wired in parallel to the battery, so it powers items, or shares the load, when the engine is running.

[@stringalongmike1953]

1967 Cameo Ivory GTO at 4:33. Nice. This is a fantastic video, the best I have seen on battery corrosion.

[@MrBigbear1684]

One observation that I made was as the battery nears its END OF LIFE their increased off gassing from the battery and subsequently the top of the battery is "moistened" with acid from the battery and the corrosion increases at an alarming rate on both terminals but mostly on the positive terminal.

[@masonix_angel_morningstar7891]

You explained in so much details and sheer eloquence I'm convince you have gotten training in public speaking and speech broadcast

[@benmcclure85]

You broke this down in such a simple and useful way for people who aren't mechanics to understand! This is an excellent guide.

[@davidlummus4833]

I love seeing your videos! I need to do the cleaning of my battery terminals, but just because of how fun and informational this was, I even want to show my fiance! Thanks guys!

[@helpisonthewaytutoring4259]

This is a great video! So informative and detailed yet easy enough for someone with little experience to understand. I especially appreciate the explanation of the causes of corrosion. The fact that I have corrosion on the positive terminal and the illustration of the need to take the battery out helped me decide to wait 2 days and get my voltage regulator checked vs. tackle the cleaning myself. Thanks for the helpful content!

[@steveveld9244]

Very informative, explaining why certain methods are correct or not. Really appreciate the detail.

[@michaelfagan5229]

Excellent Video Thanks. Had I followed the instructions of some other videos I would have just lazily poured the baking soda and water mixture on the terminals. Your video explains why this isn't a good idea!

[@isaiahfrey9549]

Dielectric grease does not conduct electricity. It simply has a greater water resistance than standard grease

[@gns2550]

i hear people say electrical tape conducts electricity too

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Best battery maintenance video on KZbin!!! Great job guys.

[@1AAuto]

Thank you!

[@nikovandh]

What an excellent battery cleaning information video!

[@1AAuto]

+Nicolaas Van de Houten Thanks for the feedback!

[@squidben5780]

Excellent video very informative, learned a few things like there could be voltage from one end to the other on the outside vent!

[@butterfingersman]

thanks for the clear and thorough 60fps video! iits always a treat to see how to do things nice and clearly like this.

[@tornado7002]

Very professional and well put together video sir. I learned a lot today. Thank you.

[@y2k704]

You explained this really well and you're very passionate about this and it shows

[@inner_kundalini]

This is absolutely THE BEST video on battery care. I understand now so much more about batteries and care, and so clearly. Thank you sincerely 💚💚💚💚

[@KoolK-jp9dh]

Thank you. You are very informative and entertaining. Very intelligent, thorough and yet consistently concise. Blessings

[@tomjones2348]

Superb presentation. Well written, edited, narrated, and good cam work. I haven't finished watching it yet. Just finished doing the voltage meter testing. Thank you.

[@robertnewman4105]

Great info! I've been cleaning the terminals about 2 or 3 x a year and it never had much corrosion. But now doing some winter prep, I've got some blue build up corrosion. Cleaned it and going to have it checked further soon.

[@websterbrandcoaching9724]

Thank you for explaining this so well, above and beyond just the procedure

[@Shave-ice]

My 2017 Titan XD had trouble starting! Neighbor came over and checked it out and pointed out there was a lot of corrosion on the batteries. Cleaned it up and works good.

[@israelsarabia2700]

I wish all videos were as good as this one here on KZbin! Thank you for explaining all this...!

[@redangrybird7564]

I've watched 20 videos on the topic and this is the best one so far, good on you. 😎👍

[@aristayabarr9419]

Thank you SO much! This video is so informative and explains WHY things look the way they do and what do do about it.

[@ms79ta]

Thank you for the extra knowledge. Battery in my car never does this but my F-150, the one with all the brains (😁) , has given me issues with corrosion on the positive post. You're very thorough and easy to learn from. 👍

[@BingoBongoMan]

great video, explained many of my questions I had over the years, like why disconnecting battery ground first. thumbs up.

[@1AAuto]

Thanks for watching!

[@riceburner4747]

If u flip that flat plate on universal on neg terminal, 'mountain' bump becomes a 'valley' bump & cable will fit tighter. Moisture on top is ALSO from overfilling cells w/water. Fill enuf to cover plates but BELOW Delco eye, this allows for expansion. Jst keep battery clean & DRY. Jst sayn.👍

[@boots7859]

My dad was a NY certified mechanic and all around petrol head, who also owned a gas/repair shop. Dialectric grease is good, however you can also simply apply vaseline around the battery terminal and leads before reattaching everything. Seems to last 2-3 years here in the NE, which is probably about when one would need to do some basic PMCS on a battery anyways. Since I have Permatex Anti-Seize, I use that which also works very well.

[@1AAuto]

+Boots Thanks for the feedback!

[@johnjohns2333]

I use a Vaseline coated fabric washer under the terminals when the battery water is topped off in each cell and the top is sealed and cleaned.

[@MrRedHotChiliMan]

@@johnjohns2333what type of water, will tap work? Or should it be distilled?

[@brucekellett2269]

@@MrRedHotChiliMan only distilled mate

[@maylenebell8815]

This was the best and most informative video i have found on battery care ! Love the humor Thank you !

[@rhondafountain648]

I so enjoyed the theatrics of your training & it made a difference totally. Gotta have fun with knowledge & sharing it. I will be attempting to clean my battery today. Question: why didn't you clean the area where the battery sits on-it was very dirty? Felt like you should it up after cleaning the battery so nicely. Thanks

[@crbourret]

I keep an old tooth brush in my tool box just for this purpose. It works great at cleaning up those terminals with the baking soda and water

[@marlenesanchez6370]

Tap , warm or hot water?

[@robmendoza6210]

@@marlenesanchez6370 between room temperature and lukewarm,no more no less.

[@1AAuto]

Great tip, and great way to repurpose old items instead of throwing them away! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-Now

[@ivorjones6618]

boiling water to clean and copper grease to protect have done that for 40 odd years allways works and no problems

[@idmhead0160]

Me too

[@stephenwatler5632]

Very professionally presented Very knowledgeable Taught me something that I never knew and that is the voltage leakage on the battery top. The over and under charging indicator is also very new to me I am going to inspect my battery and cables tomorrow Thank you very much

[@djgeller737]

Thats how its done Simply explained ! Way to go !

[@igork.2271]

Thx man, the most accurate and precise tip about cleaning battery corrosion. You helped me a lot.

[@SantosProd]

Great work here! appreciate the knowledge as well it answers many "why?" Questions. and even going as far as showing us the work is awesome appreciate this content please continue to create more

[@farrellnuszjr9216]

The best most thorough one I’ve listened to

[@carlosflores9205]

The best battery service video

[@fncrazy101]

He is saying “Verical” right? Great video.

[@biggiedickson]

Veer the vehicle vertically Vern.

[@koomo801]

Great video! I've been doing my own auto maintenance since the '70s and I learned several new things from your video. The only improvement I could suggest is to add timestamps.

[@chadhoes606]

This was great. Got a new battery yesterday. Terminals were very corroded. I thought the guy did everything necessary when replacing it, but the battery died again. So I get to get up early tomorrow and use what I learned here to clean those terminals. He tested the starter and alternator and said they tested fine.

[@idmhead0160]

Installed a new battery for you and didn't even bother cleaning the terminals? I'm assuming you mean the connectors?

[@cofty]

23:55 Dielectric grease does NOT conduct electricity

[@johngoold1218]

Perfect, perfect, perfect. I've watched tons of 1A Auto vids and bought from them.

[@fordstoolreviews9964]

One reason to remove the crappy factory terminal connectors in the first place, and they suck. They do this EVERY TIME. I upgraded to brass on my truck, best decision I've made.

[@howdydo7320]

Best battery video i have viewed.

[@AlfordLau]

The most thorough on this topic. Thank you.

[@CeeZee001]

Thanks I just did the maintenance a while ago. Was a breeze

[@cm4644]

Excellent video. Clear instructions and explanations are very helpful.

[@littlepepper4370]

This guy would be a cool person to hang out with at the bar

[@Joel19831013]

My lights went completely went out on my acura mdx. I check all fuses and I thought for sure i missed something. Ground cable was tight but it was a universal terminal that was not properly sealed. Bought a new ground cable and she fired right up!

[@alecsander007]

Very informative I didn't know the cause of build up in a negative side and the positive side thanks

[@gts5930]

This guy is awesome! Learned a lot from this video. Thank you!

[@R3GTLEE]

Great information..thanks...didn't know about the under charging on the negitive terminal.

[@elizabethvillalobos4504]

Thank you I learned from this. Continue to teach with simple words. Because it helps me to understand

[@journeyofbear6423]

Thank you 1A Auto! Your videos are great.

[@FerenzeeBlazingReapr]

This was a very informative and well done video. I learned a lot of things that I never knew. And even some things I though I knew that were wrong!

[@wenjuan1980]

thanks for this complete and detailed video, very helpful

[@mpabalate1118]

Great job! Really good information and expressed intelligently. Top shelf!

[@1AAuto]

Thank you!

[@ceavalencia4767]

This answered why my negative post keeps building corrosion on my 2nd battery for car audio. I'm only in at 2 minutes. Now I'm scared lol but I needed the truth.

[@cavegardens4686]

Good teacher! You actually left no stone unturned

[@jemijona]

He didn't quite explain why to remove the negative terminal first and connect it last.

[@emzene389]

Seriously appreciate all the information. Thank you!

[@1AAuto]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dilshadahmed8610]

Excellent brief information got from this video thanks It will helpfull for all peoples who has no experience regarding battery problem and solution thanks well done

[@definitely_summer]

THANK YOU! So appreciate your information!

[@vvalasek]

Great tips and explanation - thanks again.

[@madcowusa4277]

About 9 years ago during an impending ice storm I replaced the 10kW backup generator battery with the only available battery left at Walmart. It was undersized and only had a one year warranty. It still works today; however, the terminals are badly corroded with alarming build up. Going to remedy that.

[@mdhartshorn]

How would you recommend disposing of cleaning fluid (water-baking soda) that's been used?

[@orlandogarcia9751]

Best video ever thanks

[@everythingisenergyenergyis3801]

Great video! City. How many times you say " of course 😂". Seriously though, appreciate it

[@nmt4421]

This is very good knowledge video and Thank you. I have one question about Ignition & battery sealer and battery terminal protector. Are they the same products? Can i use battery terminal protector instead of ignition & battery sealer or dielectric grease?

[@stephen5147]

Excellent information. Thanks.

[@dentedhelmet8584]

Fine job. Great explanation. Thank You!

[@recklesslyarrogant7242]

Wow. This video was the best battery video I have ever seen. And I’ve seen a lot of crap. Good job.

[@kawzmOS]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@mikealmiracle4834]

Vericle? Vehicle? I'm new to this channel is this just something he does?

[@natashabrady8977]

Great job. Very detailed and informative. Thanks

[@1AAuto]

Glad it was helpful!

[@barrywalker1809]

Excellent video! Thanks!

[@clw8129]

Awesome information!!! Answered my corrosion questions thoroughly bc I seem to be frequently seeing corrosion on my cable terminal-now I know why. Wondering if I’ve been getting low quality batteries. But where do I find the battery memory saver and what should it run?

[@brianbower6817]

I purchased a portable jump battery from harbor freight, besides jumping a dead car battery, it also has 5 volt USB outlets to charge your phone, and also two cigarette lighter type outlets to plug in your memory saver cord. Purchase the memory saver cord online or at your local car parts outlet, Auto Zone etc. The memory cord will plug one end into your OBD 2 connector, and the other end, a cigarette lighter plug, goes into your portable jump start battery.

[@ceciliachan4361]

Awesome video. Would you show us how to fix the voltage regulator? My truck is a 2015, corrosion on the positive terminal, I do go on really long drives that it might over charge. But I didn’t think it would do that with a proper voltage regulator. Maybe it’s bad. Idk. Thank you in advance.

[@drew-andresvogt652]

good explanations, thank you

[@mahmoudalshawi2010]

Thanks a lot Len for the all details. .

[@1AAuto]

+Mahmoud Al Shawi Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@MrCeora]

Badass video with tons of info. Thanks!

[@deboharris789]

Best battery video I’ve seen 👍🏾 lol

[@ozscorpio7]

Good video and really good technician , to the point

[@krisbohn4118]

Great video, very informative.

[@angela_ankur]

Thanks for this. My car won't start, the battery has a bunch of corrosion. I just cleaned the corrosion using your tutorial. I haven't tested if it's gonna turn on again lol I'm a bit scared. Can I start the car right away or wait it out?

[@brucerussell1355]

i learned in electronics class that you should never clean electrical contacts with sandpaper. due to the silica in the sand. you should have used a wire brush. i am 61yo and have been working on cars for 40 years.