7 Reasons Car Battery Corrosion Keeps Coming Back

If you want to know why car battery corrosion keeps reoccurring on in your vehicle, then you’ve found the right article! In this article, not only will you learn why car battery corrosion keeps coming back, but you’ll also learn the best way to prevent it from happening, and what it means on each terminal!

So keep reading to find out everything you need to know!

Why Does Car Battery Corrosion Keep Coming Back?

There are several reasons that car corrosion keeps coming back. So you should make sure you’re checking for any of the following to figure out why!

The Battery Is Being Overcharged

If there’s a problem with your alternator, then the battery could be overcharged. When the battery is overcharged, it causes too much current to flow through the terminals, which can lead to corrosion.

The Battery Is Being Undercharged

Aside from being overcharged, the battery could also be undercharged. This most often occurs when the car hasn’t been driven enough.

Extreme Temperatures

Another reason why battery corrosion might keep coming back is that the car is being stored in extreme temperatures. If it’s stored in a place that’s too hot or cold, this can lead to excessive corrosion.

Loose Connections

The connections between the terminals and the battery need to be tight. If they’re loose, this can lead to a poor connection and dirt and moisture can come between the connection furthering any issues with corrosion.

The Battery Is Being Overfilled

If the battery isn’t filled properly, it can cause too much acid build-up on the terminals. This can lead to corrosion and will need to be rectified by draining the battery and then refilling it.

Electrolyte Fluid Is Leaking Out

Finally, the electrolyte fluid can start to leak out of the battery if it’s not sealed correctly. This can cause corrosion as well and will need to be dealt with immediately.

So these are all some of the reasons why battery corrosion keeps coming back. Make sure you keep an eye on them and get any necessary repairs done as soon as possible.

The Battery Is Getting Old

All batteries have a limited lifespan, and eventually, they will wear down and no longer be able to hold a charge. This will cause the battery to become corroded as time goes on.

Why Does Your Negative Battery Terminal Keep Corroding?

If your negative battery terminal is corroding it means that it’s being undercharged. This means that your car simply isn’t being driven enough, so you’ll need to make sure that you get more driving time in to fix the issue!

What Causes Corrosion On A Positive Battery Terminal?

If you notice corrosion on your positive battery terminal, then it means that the car battery is being overcharged. This could be a sign that your alternator is faulty and needs to be replaced. So the best thing you can do is take it to a mechanic to check.

What Can You Put On Battery Terminals To Prevent Corrosion?

There are a number of things you can put on battery terminals to prevent corrosion. So to help prevent it in the future try any of the following!

Fix The Alternator

If the alternator is faulty, then it’s likely that the battery is being overcharged. You should take it to a mechanic to get it fixed as soon as possible

Maintain The Battery

Make sure that you’re regularly maintaining your battery to keep it in top condition. This means filling the cells with distilled water and keeping the terminals clean.

Check The Connections

Also, make sure that all of the connections between the battery and the terminal are tight and secure. If they’re loose, then dirt will accumulate, which can lead to corrosion.

Protect The Battery From Extreme Elements

Make sure that you’re protecting the battery from extreme elements like heat and cold. Storing it in a garage is a great way to keep it out of harm’s way!

Don’t Overfill It

Finally, make sure that you’re not overfilling the battery. Too much acid can cause corrosion on the terminals and will need to be drained and refilled.

Try Using Anti Corrosion Products

Lastly, try using anti-corrosion products such as the following:

  • AMSOIL is one of the best things you can put on your battery terminals to prevent corrosion from occurring. It is an anti-corrosive lubricant, and it does a great job of keeping the terminals clean.
  • Vaseline is another great product for preventing corrosion on your battery terminals. Just make sure to use it sparingly as too much can cause issues with the connection between the battery and the terminal itself.
  • White dielectric grease is a great product for preventing corrosion on battery terminals. It’s also a good idea to use it on any exposed metal parts of the car, as this will help to protect them and keep them in good condition too.
  • WD-40 is another great product for preventing corrosion on battery terminals. It’s a good idea to spray it around the connector and then wipe off any excess. This will help to keep your terminals from corroding.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions that people have about the reasons that corrosion keeps reappearing on their car batteries!

Can You Just Wipe Off Battery Corrosion?

Unfortunately, you can’t just wipe off battery corrosion. Instead, you’ll need to apply a mixture of baking soda and water to the corrosion before using a wire brush to scrub it off

Do I Need To Replace My Car Battery If There Is Corrosion?

It depends on how bad the corrosion is. If it’s relatively minor, then you may be able to fix it with some anti-corrosion products and maintenance. However, if it’s severe, then you should replace the battery as soon as possible!

Recap

So, why does battery corrosion keep coming back? It typically occurs due to a combination of factors, including overcharging, improper maintenance, and extreme elements.

To prevent it from happening again, you should make sure that you’re regularly maintaining your battery, checking the connections between the battery and terminal are tight and secure, protecting the battery from extreme elements, and using anti-corrosion products such as AMSOIL, Vaseline, white dielectric grease or WD-40. If the corrosion is severe then it’s best to replace the battery altogether.

Hopefully, this article has helped you better understand why battery corrosion keeps coming back and how you can prevent it from happening again!

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