Car Battery
Terminal Corrosion Cleaning & Prevention Guide
How to clean off & prevent corrosion
from forming on car battery terminals with dielectric grease and felt washers.
Working with a 12V car battery can be very
dangerous. Exercise caution and only touch one battery terminal or post at a
time to prevent from being electrocuted. For extra safety, remove all metal
jewelry and use rubber handled tools.
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 2005 Toyota Corolla Battery |
 Corrosion On Terminal |
 Anti-Corrosion Felt Washers |
| This
automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners
of the ninth generation 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008 Toyota Corolla in cleaning off the
battery terminals and preventing corrosion from forming in the
future. Owners of similar Toyota, Lexus and Scion models or any other make and model of vehicle with a standard 12 volt car battery should also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. I had noticed that the battery terminals on our 2005 Toyota Corolla S were gathering some white powdery corrosion. So I went to Advance Auto Parts and picked up some Autocraft anti-corrosion battery felt washers for $1 and a packet of Permatex battery protector dielectric grease for $1.29. The tools needed to complete this procedure include a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet, a stiff brush, eye protection and a wet/dry shop vacuum. |
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 Permatex Dielectric Grease |
 10mm Socket - Loosen Terminal |
 Pull Off Battery Terminal |
| The first step is
to loosen the "-" battery terminal with a 10 mm socket and ratcheting
wrench.
Pull the battery terminal off the battery post and set it aside where it won't accidentally touch the post. Then clean the battery terminal and post with a stiff brush before vacuuming away the white or blue corrosion powder with a wet/dry shop vacuum. |
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 Vacuum Corrosion Powder |
 Clean Posts With Brush |
 Apply Battery Protector Grease |
| Open the packet of
Permatex battery protector grease and apply a small amount to the top of the
"-" battery post.
Spread a thin layer all around the post and then also on the exposed metal parts of the battery terminal and wire. |
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 Spread Grease On Posts |
 Apply Grease To Terminal |
 Install Felt Washer |
| Install the green felt anti-corrosion washer over the top of the "-" battery terminal. | ||
 Loosen "+" Terminal |
 Pull Terminal Off Post |
 Apply Grease & Washer |
| Repeat the above
steps for the "+" battery terminal and post.
The red felt anti-corrosion washer goes over the "+" post. |
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 Replace Battery Terminal |
 Tighten Terminal Nut |
 "-" Terminal Protected |
| Replace the "+"
battery terminal and tighten it with a 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench.
Then carefully place the "'-" battery terminal over the "-" post and tighten the 10mm nut. A small spark may be emitted. |
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 Anti-Corrosion Finished |
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| Once the two
battery
terminals have been replaced, you can test the electrical connections by
starting the vehicle.
If you have any problems starting the vehicle and you know that the battery is charged, you may need to remove the terminals and thoroughly clean the posts and insides of the terminals with a wire brush. This will help the terminal and post form a better electrical connection. For more, check out my other
Toyota Corolla Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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