How to Clean Corroded Car Battery Terminals
by Rose Kivi![itstillruns article image](http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/877x500/write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/cf/6b/a4f5daed-e9d0-465b-9c29-e532219a6bcf/a4f5daed-e9d0-465b-9c29-e532219a6bcf.jpg 877w)
Corrosion on your car battery terminals can prevent your car from starting. Cleaning the corrosion is an easy do-it-yourself job when you follow some simple directions.
Step 1
![itstillruns article image](http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/877x500/write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/75/ae/ea99ad26-8d05-4b2d-b28a-9c0f1a69ae75/ea99ad26-8d05-4b2d-b28a-9c0f1a69ae75.jpg 877w)
Make sure your car engine is turned off.
Step 2
![itstillruns article image](http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/877x500/write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/35/3e/9a0db825-dea1-4bc8-be54-b0d48b413e35/9a0db825-dea1-4bc8-be54-b0d48b413e35.jpg 877w)
Remove the negative battery cable first by loosening it with a flat-head screwdriver and lifting it off the battery terminal. After removal from the terminal, set the negative cable away from the positive battery terminal and metal.
Step 3
![itstillruns article image](http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/877x500/write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/7b/46/e8e169e4-0191-4e07-8cbd-b5ac879f467b/e8e169e4-0191-4e07-8cbd-b5ac879f467b.jpg 877w)
Remove the positive battery cable using the same removal method as the negative cable. Do not let the negative and positive battery cables touch.
Step 4
![itstillruns article image](http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/877x500/write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/84/90/bceb308f-7967-43c9-94db-22958fd49084/bceb308f-7967-43c9-94db-22958fd49084.jpg 877w)
Pour Coca Cola or baking soda and water on the battery terminals and the battery cable ends.
Step 5
![itstillruns article image](http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/877x500/write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/a0/ad/3eea577f-bd14-4c9d-b1d9-a1f5a1ffada0/3eea577f-bd14-4c9d-b1d9-a1f5a1ffada0.jpg 877w)
Scrub the battery terminals and the battery cable ends with a toothbrush until the corrosion is removed.
Step 6
![itstillruns article image](http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/877x500/write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/f2/b9/af9a9e36-f5a1-4235-b320-800d431ab9f2/af9a9e36-f5a1-4235-b320-800d431ab9f2.jpg 877w)
Pour water on the battery terminals and the battery cable ends to rinse Coca Cola or baking soda off.
Step 7
![itstillruns article image](http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/877x500/write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/29/6d/70fdc0aa-5916-4a1b-a6b1-9be9c0766d29/70fdc0aa-5916-4a1b-a6b1-9be9c0766d29.jpg 877w)
Let battery terminals and battery cables dry.
Step 8
![itstillruns article image](http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/877x500/write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/93/2f/91abbc80-c040-4547-8e4c-2b2fed602f93/91abbc80-c040-4547-8e4c-2b2fed602f93.jpg 877w)
Apply a thin coat of Vaseline to battery terminals.
Step 9
![itstillruns article image](http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/877x500/write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/f5/a0/5a4f57e6-7dfb-40dd-850b-478c7e4ca0f5/5a4f57e6-7dfb-40dd-850b-478c7e4ca0f5.jpg 877w)
Slide the positive cable onto the battery terminal and tighten.
Step 10
![itstillruns article image](http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/877x500/write.demandstudios.com/upload/image/fd/3b/ccc723b8-b68f-4eb3-9fea-f874cb343bfd/ccc723b8-b68f-4eb3-9fea-f874cb343bfd.jpg 877w)
Slide the negative cable onto the battery terminal and tighten.
Things You'll Need
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Coca Cola or baking soda and water
- Water
- Toothbrush
- Vaseline
Writer Bio
Rose Kivi has been a writer for more than 10 years. She has a background in the nursing field, wildlife rehabilitation and habitat conservation. Kivi has authored educational textbooks, patient health care pamphlets, animal husbandry guides, outdoor survival manuals and was a contributing writer for two books in the Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Series.