- Remove the battery cables by loosening with a socket wrench. Be careful not to force the bolts loose if they are frozen solid. Mix ½ cup of baking soda in a 1-gallon plastic milk container filled about 3/4 full of cold water. Put the lid on the plastic jug and shake. Loosen the lid to prevent CO2 from building up and exploding the jug. Pour the baking soda solution over the top of the battery, terminals, the terminal connectors on the cables, and watch the battery acid being neutralized. Remove the cables if you were unable to do so before using the baking soda solution, and pour more solution over the terminal connectors. Rinse the battery and connectors thoroughly with clean cold water. Replace the battery cables and tighten the bolts.
- Remove the cables from the battery and pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals, top of the battery and terminal connectors. Remove the cables and pour more Coke over the connectors. After all the corrosion has dissolved, rinse the battery and connectors thoroughly, put the cables back on to the battery terminals and tighten.
- Remove the battery cables from the battery. Twist the battery terminal brush onto the terminals and turn until all the corrosion has been removed. Use the small end of the wire brush that is hidden in the lid to remove any corrosion from the connectors. Replace the battery cables and tighten.
- Prevent future battery corrosion by coating the terminals with petroleum jelly before replacing the cables. There are also some commercial battery protector products available from auto supply stores.
- Make absolutely sure that the red cable is placed on the positive (+) terminal and the black cable goes on the negative (-) terminal. Also, do not smoke or work around an open flame while working on your car's battery.
