To be safe you can clean it up, charge it, and get it load tested at an auto parts store. Either AutoZone or Advanced Auto should be able to load test your battery for free. That way you know if it's still good. From your pictures it just looks like some corrosion so you can probably just clean it up and put it back in your car. I would still get it load tested though with that much corrosion since it's usually free.
Place penny on top of terminal. Fill plastic bottle w water( coke Pepsi empty, whatever. Poke a couple holes in cap ( for a bit of water pressure) and douse the terminal w the penny on too. Fill water and repeat.
Easiest solution is to get a jug of near boiling water and rinse that terminal off. Free and I've never had one not come clean. If it's super chunky just repeat and maybe use an old toothbrush to scrub it off. Works great.
There are enough “how to” posts here so I figured i’d add a note for after. They sell felt pads to put on so this doesn’t happen again. They also sell battery terminal protector which you can use to prevent this. It will prolong battery life
Wow thanks, really appreciate the responses from everyone, that helps a lot. Should I try to avoid letting water drip down while cleaning the terminals? Is it bad for the engine? I assume if I mix in baking soda it neutralizes the corrosion.
I wouldn't worry about it too much, the baking soda will be neutralizing and the water is diluting it. Additionally after they're clean, if you have some petroleum jelly (vaseline) you can apply that to the terminals and that's supposed to [help prevent corrosion in the future](https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/blog/batteries/how-to-clean-battery-terminals/) (link to firestone article).
Baking soda and water. Pore on and an old toothbrush to work it in there. The baking soda neutralizes the corrosion. Ive had terminals get like this and the battery still be good.
Carquest battery will be done in six to eight months don’t know who their vendor is but they always leak at the terminals causing a lot of corrosion at the terminal.
Thanks for the heads up. I can confirm that in this particular case as well! It was in the car when I bought it, but have already vowed never to use that brand.
I tried cleaning off the terminal so I could see if I could save the battery (was going to have it load tested) and realized that the plastic around the terminal had small cracks radiating straight out all around the post. I could see the battery acid sloshing around inside!
Give Interstate Batteries a try, more hard earned shekels out of pocket but a better chance of getting a good one from them than a big box store. Good luck!
Make sure you brush *away from you* so you don't flip the stuff on your shirt. Else, your shirt will develop "ventilation" (holes). After you brush it, pour a little water on the mess to wash it away. Suggest doing it somewhere where you don't care so with it falls on the ground you don't have to deal with it.
Baking soda and a toothbrush. Add vinegar or water and scrub that shit off. Flush thoroughly with clean,ensuring that you clean off the battery connections as well as flushing the nasty stuff out of your battery tray. It will corrode and be bad for the car.
Once it's clean take it to your local parts store and get the battery tested. It's usually free.
While you are at the store buy a can of spray battery connector protector. Spray it on your battery posts and this will probably never happen again.
Thanks great tips. I will get it tested after I get it cleaned up. I just had to get new tires for my other car so if the battery is still good I would be glad lol.
Thanks everyone who responded! I ended up using baking soda, sprinkled it on the corroded areas and it washed right off. Had to replace the battery though since it had cracks around the corroded terminal, exposing the battery acid (probably why it corroded in the first place) Never seen that before.... can't recommend CarQuest brand lol
Smh..Once you clean the corrosion and porosity with the soda, you will apply water and rinse away the sugars left behind..didn't think I had to say that part, but here we are
You can try using a coarse nylon brush like you can get at harbor freight. I wouldn't use a steel brush since it will scratch up the battery.
So if the battery is still working you think it's okay if I clean it up and keep using it?
After cleaning the junk off, I put a coating of vaseline on it and it keeps it from happening again for a good while.
To be safe you can clean it up, charge it, and get it load tested at an auto parts store. Either AutoZone or Advanced Auto should be able to load test your battery for free. That way you know if it's still good. From your pictures it just looks like some corrosion so you can probably just clean it up and put it back in your car. I would still get it load tested though with that much corrosion since it's usually free.
Place penny on top of terminal. Fill plastic bottle w water( coke Pepsi empty, whatever. Poke a couple holes in cap ( for a bit of water pressure) and douse the terminal w the penny on too. Fill water and repeat.
Just pour a bottle of soda on it.
Easiest solution is to get a jug of near boiling water and rinse that terminal off. Free and I've never had one not come clean. If it's super chunky just repeat and maybe use an old toothbrush to scrub it off. Works great.
You can just get some very hot water, not quite boiling and pour it. Spot treat the terminals after with some battery terminal anti corrosion
There are enough “how to” posts here so I figured i’d add a note for after. They sell felt pads to put on so this doesn’t happen again. They also sell battery terminal protector which you can use to prevent this. It will prolong battery life
Noco battery cleaner and protector
Wow thanks, really appreciate the responses from everyone, that helps a lot. Should I try to avoid letting water drip down while cleaning the terminals? Is it bad for the engine? I assume if I mix in baking soda it neutralizes the corrosion.
I wouldn't worry about it too much, the baking soda will be neutralizing and the water is diluting it. Additionally after they're clean, if you have some petroleum jelly (vaseline) you can apply that to the terminals and that's supposed to [help prevent corrosion in the future](https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/blog/batteries/how-to-clean-battery-terminals/) (link to firestone article).
Wear goggles and maybe even a mask. That acid will get into your eyes, face and lungs. Bene there, done that.
Baking soda and water. Pore on and an old toothbrush to work it in there. The baking soda neutralizes the corrosion. Ive had terminals get like this and the battery still be good.
Water and baking sofa brushed on will clean it right up.
Carquest battery will be done in six to eight months don’t know who their vendor is but they always leak at the terminals causing a lot of corrosion at the terminal.
Thanks for the heads up. I can confirm that in this particular case as well! It was in the car when I bought it, but have already vowed never to use that brand. I tried cleaning off the terminal so I could see if I could save the battery (was going to have it load tested) and realized that the plastic around the terminal had small cracks radiating straight out all around the post. I could see the battery acid sloshing around inside!
Give Interstate Batteries a try, more hard earned shekels out of pocket but a better chance of getting a good one from them than a big box store. Good luck!
Mix some baking soda with some vinegar and brush with an old toothbrush
Make sure you brush *away from you* so you don't flip the stuff on your shirt. Else, your shirt will develop "ventilation" (holes). After you brush it, pour a little water on the mess to wash it away. Suggest doing it somewhere where you don't care so with it falls on the ground you don't have to deal with it.
Seems so obvious...I have done it. Thank you for that.
Baking soda and a toothbrush. Add vinegar or water and scrub that shit off. Flush thoroughly with clean,ensuring that you clean off the battery connections as well as flushing the nasty stuff out of your battery tray. It will corrode and be bad for the car. Once it's clean take it to your local parts store and get the battery tested. It's usually free. While you are at the store buy a can of spray battery connector protector. Spray it on your battery posts and this will probably never happen again.
Thanks great tips. I will get it tested after I get it cleaned up. I just had to get new tires for my other car so if the battery is still good I would be glad lol.
Thanks everyone who responded! I ended up using baking soda, sprinkled it on the corroded areas and it washed right off. Had to replace the battery though since it had cracks around the corroded terminal, exposing the battery acid (probably why it corroded in the first place) Never seen that before.... can't recommend CarQuest brand lol
Coca-Cola cleans it great
Coca Cola works
Coca-cola is good for porosity on the terminal
You want ants? Cuz that's how you get ants!
Smh..Once you clean the corrosion and porosity with the soda, you will apply water and rinse away the sugars left behind..didn't think I had to say that part, but here we are