Maintenance Question: Mike R. asks , “Whats the safest way to clean my battery” ?

Well Mike the best way to clean that corrosion off your battery is by mixing 2 tablespoons of baking soda to about 16 ounces of water. You can pour this solution directly over the corrosion on the battery and the chemical reaction will fizz away the acid. You can also pour the solution into a spray bottle and squirt it directly on to the corrosion. After you have neutralized and removed the acid from the battery posts you will need to completely remove all of the solution by rinsing it completely off the top of the battery with water.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO THIS PROCEDURE OUTSIDE PREFERABLY IN A DIRT DRIVEWAY OR OVER A DRAIN! THIS IS BATTERY ACID YOU ARE DEALING WITH HERE, IF YOU WALK IN IT AND TRACK IT INTO YOUR HOME IT WILL EAT THROUGH YOUR CARPET, CLOTHING, OR SKIN! ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES AND GLOVES WHEN WORKING AROUND A BATTERY AND NEVER CREATE A SPARK!

So you may wonder why a battery corrodes like this. Usually what happens is as a battery gets older it sulfates and works its way out via the battery positive post. It can also mean the charging system could be over charging an actually boiling the acid out of the battery. When a battery gets to this point I strongly recommend that you replace it with a brand new one. The charging system must be checked after the battery is replaced.  Cleaning this corrosion off is will only be a temporary solution to the corrosion. When a battery reaches the four year mark anything can happen. The battery might test good one day, and fail the next, due to sub zero temperatures or a real hot day. Do not skimp and buy the cheapest battery out there you will regret it. So remember that the battery is basically the heart of your vehicles electrical system. When it gets weak everything else in the electrical system has to work that much harder especially the alternator and starter.

Baking soda and water at work

Baking soda and water at work!

Cleaned battery post and terminal
Cleaned battery post and terminal.

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