Things You'll Need:
- Protective gloves
- Baking soda or spray-on battery cleaner
- Wire brush
- Water
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Step 1
Put on protective gloves. This is very important as battery acid is highly corrosive and can chemically burn your skin. Locate the car battery. In most cars, it will be visible somewhere under the hood. In some models, you will find it in the trunk area or under the passenger seat.
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Step 2
Find the connecting cable ends. They are often located on the top of the battery. There will be two. If you only see one, check for a side-mounted cable.
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Step 3
Look for white crystals (called corrosion) forming on the battery terminals (cable connectors) or posts. A small amount of corrosion is normal, but an excessive amount can be a sign of a weak or damaged battery.
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Step 4
Wiggle the terminals with gloved hands. They shouldn't move easily. Loose battery terminals form excessive corrosion and can weaken the battery.
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Step 5
Remove the terminals from the battery. Check the cables for corrosion. It can appear as white crystals, or as a green film on any exposed copper wiring. Squeeze the cables. They must feel like hard rubber. If you can feel crystals or hear a crunch when you squeeze them, replace the cables.
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Step 6
Clean the top of the battery, posts and terminals. Apply a water and baking soda mixture or spray-on battery cleaner. This neutralizes the battery acid, making it safe to land on the ground. Scrub the crystals away with a wire brush. Rinse with plain water.
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Step 7
Replace the cables and terminals if necessary and then reconnect the battery. Wash your hands thoroughly as an added precaution and then make sure your car will start. You don't want any nasty surprises when it's time to leave.
