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Overview:
This project will show you how to clean a car battery. Keep your car turning over smoothly by keeping your battery clean and free of corrosive buildup.
Materials:
baking soda, water and a bowl, waterproof grease
Tools You'll Need:
roadside safety kit, 8in. adjustable wrench
Before You Begin:
Batteries contain sulfuric acid, which is highly corrosive and produces a flammable gas. Take appropriate safety precautions: Make sure your hair is pulled back and you have removed any jewelry. Never touch a battery that appears wet. Do not leave the engine running, and work in a well–ventilated area (like outdoors). If a battery does happen to leak while you are working with it, spread baking soda over any spills. Also, batteries are heavy (from 30 – 60 lbs) so if you have back trouble, get help lifting the battery out from the engine area.
Barbara's Tips:
If your cables are not marked, before you remove the battery, take a moment to mark them as positive or negative before removing them from the terminal. This is crucial information. Connecting cables the wrong way can permanently damage or destroy the car's electrical system.
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Step 1: Remove and Review
Using your wrench, loosen the bolt that holds the negative (-) cable to the negative terminal and slide the cable clamp off the battery. Remove the positive (+) cable the same way. Now unscrew the bracket that holds the battery in place and remove the battery from the car. Remember it's heavy! Before you start cleaning, check your battery carefully. If your battery has cracks in the top of it, or is simply old and ready to be retired, don't bother cleaning it up - just head off to the auto supply store to buy a new battery.
Step 2: Scrub-a-Dub-Dub
Scrub the top and sides of the old battery and terminals with your baking soda/water mixture and wire brush. Clean the battery tray and the terminal clamps with the baking soda/water solution and the wire brush. Allow these areas to dry.
Step 3: Good as New
Replace the battery in the tray with the positive and negative terminals in the same position as before and tighten the bracket so the battery is held firmly in place. Securely attach the cables to the terminals, positive to positive, negative to negative. The cables should not be loose a poor connection can prevent your car from starting. Cover the clamps with the waterproof grease.
Step 4: Start Your Engines
Close the hood and turn the ignition key. Give yourself a pat on the back as the engine smoothly turns over. You just did it yourself!
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