How to Clean Car Battery Corrosion

Battery Leaking

 

If you look under the hood of your car to inspect the battery and find that the terminal is caked in a white powdery substance with flecks of green, blue, or teal mixed in, that’s corrosion. A car battery with corrosion often delivers weak power and can make it difficult to start the car. Fortunately, it’s very simple to remove corrosion from a car battery! In the guide below, our service team explains what causes car battery corrosion and how to clean car battery corrosion so you can get back on the roads around Raleigh with confidence. 

 

What Causes Car Battery Corrosion?

Car battery corrosion is mainly the result of time. As you drive around Cary, your battery is constantly heating and cooling and releasing hydrogen gases by ventilation. Over time, the gases react with the local materials of the battery and form corrosion on the connection points. Corrosion mainly occurs on the battery terminal because that is where the electric connection exists. 

Learn to Remove Corrosion from a Car Battery Safely

If you want to remove corrosion from a car battery in your own Chapel Hill driveway, you have two options. You can purchase a special solution made for cleaning battery corrosion from an auto parts store, or you can make your own DIY cleaner with common household products. Before you start, put on gloves, goggles, and a respirator to protect yourself while working near battery acid, electric currents, and rust. 

How to clean car battery corrosion with a professional cleaner

  • Purchase car battery cleaning solution or electrical contact cleaning spray from your local auto parts store. Apply a generous amount to the corrosion on the battery, then use a wire brush to scrub away the powdery substance. 

How to clean car battery corrosion with a homemade cleaner

  • Remove the connectors from the battery terminal. Next, sprinkle baking soda on the corrosion — this neutralizes the acids. Next, you need to add water to start a reaction. Soak up the liquid with paper towels, then use a scrub sponge to scrub the affected area. 

Knowing that time is what causes battery corrosion, it’s difficult to prevent the issue entirely. However, there are products that can help reduce corrosion, like a rust inhibitor spray, spray-on battery protector, and anti-corrosion gel.

Schedule Battery Service at Hendrick Chevrolet Southpoint

Hendrick Chevrolet Southpoint provides trusted battery service near Chapel Hill! If you’d like us to remove corrosion from your car battery or provide a general inspection, schedule online today. Review our current service offers for a great price, and take a moment to explore more service tips and tricks on our site!

More from Hendrick Chevrolet Southpoint

  • 2022 Chevy Equinox Gas Mileage Specs

    If you’re in the market for an affordably priced SUV with a competitive fuel economy rating that will earn long-term savings, then the 2022 Chevy Equinox deserves a second look. With the standard front-wheel drivetrain, the 2022 Chevy Equinox gas mileage is an impressive 26 mpg city/31 mpg highway! You can travel farther and wider…

  • 2022 Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity

    Take a look at Cary and Raleigh’s toughest job sites, and you’ll find them studded with Chevy trucks—a fact that should come as no surprise if you’re familiar with the brand’s class-leading capability. The Silverado 1500 towing capacity reaches as high as 13,300 pounds with the proper equipment, andthe Silverado 1500 payload is just as…

  • 2022 Chevy Traverse Interior Guide

    Allow Hendrick Chevrolet Southpoint to serve as your guide to the 2022 Chevy Traverse interior! As the quintessential mid-size SUV, the new Traverse is an excellent choice for your growing family or road trips with friends. Cargo management is a breeze with 23 cubic feet in the trunk alone, and more when you’re able to fold down…

Hendrick Vehicle Disclaimer:

$799.00 Dealer Administrative Fee included in advertised price. All prices exclude all taxes, tag, title, registration fees and government fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all taxes and government fees and title/registration fees in the state where the vehicle will be registered.

All prices include all manufacturer to dealer incentives, which the dealer retains unless otherwise specifically provided. Dealer not responsible for errors and omissions; all offers subject to change without notice; please confirm listings with dealer.

All vehicles may not be physically located at this dealership but may be available for delivery through this location. Transportation charges may apply. Please contact the dealership for more specific information. All vehicles are subject to prior sale.
Additional Disclaimers:

Well-qualified customers who purchase a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle, 4 model years or newer with less than 60K miles between June 2, 2026 and July 31, 2026, and finance through a participating dealer and lender have the option to defer monthly payments for 90 days from contract date. Excludes Hendrick Performance vehicles. Finance charges begin to accrue on the date you sign the Retail Installment Sale Contract at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) disclosed in the contract. May not be combined with other preferred lender financing offers. 75 months maximum term limit. Equal monthly payments only. Not available to Pennsylvania residents; see your dealer for details. Must take retail delivery by July 31, 2026. See dealer for complete down payment and interest rate options and details. Financing available to qualified buyers. Some exclusions apply. See dealer for complete details. 

*Offer includes all dealer discounts and OEM incentives. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, fees, and other dealer installed options. Discount varies by model and stock number. Example stock #T85816. See dealer for details. Take retail delivery by 8/3/26. **Finance charges accrue from date of financing. Deferred monthly payments for 90 days. 0% APR for 60 months. Monthly payment is $16.67 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 6.9%. Must finance with GM Financial. Down payment required at signing, if applicable. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 8/3/26.

*Offer includes all dealer discounts and OEM incentives. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, fees, and other dealer installed options. Discount varies by model and stock number. Example stock #T85816. See dealer for details. Take retail delivery by 8/3/26. **Finance charges accrue from date of financing. Deferred monthly payments for 90 days. 0% APR for 60 months. Monthly payment is $16.67 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 6.9%. Must finance with GM Financial. Down payment required at signing, if applicable. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 8/3/26.

*Well-qualified customers who purchase a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle, 4 model years or newer with less than 60K miles between June 2, 2026 and July 31, 2026, and finance through a participating dealer and lender have the option to defer monthly payments for 90 days from contract date. Excludes Hendrick Performance vehicles. Finance charges begin to accrue on the date you sign the Retail Installment Sale Contract at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) disclosed in the contract. May not be combined with other preferred lender financing offers. 75 months maximum term limit. Equal monthly payments only. Not available to Pennsylvania residents; see your dealer for details. Must take retail delivery by July 31, 2026. See dealer for complete down payment and interest rate options and details. Financing available to qualified buyers. Some exclusions apply. See dealer for complete details.

*Offer includes all dealer discounts and OEM incentives. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, fees, and other dealer installed options. Discount varies by model and stock number. Example stock #T07263. See dealer for details. Take retail delivery by 8/3/2026. **0% APR for 36 months. Monthly payment is $27.78 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 10.7%. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery 8/3/26. ***Well-qualified customers who purchase a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle, 4 model years or newer with less than 60K miles between June 2, 2026 and July 31, 2026, and finance through a participating dealer and lender have the option to defer monthly payments for 90 days from contract date. Excludes Hendrick Performance vehicles. Finance charges begin to accrue on the date you sign the Retail Installment Sale Contract at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) disclosed in the contract. May not be combined with other preferred lender financing offers. 75 months maximum term limit. Equal monthly payments only. Not available to Pennsylvania residents; see your dealer for details. Must take retail delivery by July 31, 2026. See dealer for complete down payment and interest rate options and details. Financing available to qualified buyers. Some exclusions apply. See dealer for complete details.

*Offer includes all dealer discounts and OEM incentives. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, fees, and other dealer installed options. Discount varies by model and stock number. Example stock #ZT92960. See dealer for details. Take retail delivery by 8/3/2026. **0% APR for 36 months. Monthly payment is $27.78 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 17.1%. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery 8/3/26. ***Well-qualified customers who purchase a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle, 4 model years or newer with less than 60K miles between June 2, 2026 and July 31, 2026, and finance through a participating dealer and lender have the option to defer monthly payments for 90 days from contract date. Excludes Hendrick Performance vehicles. Finance charges begin to accrue on the date you sign the Retail Installment Sale Contract at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) disclosed in the contract. May not be combined with other preferred lender financing offers. 75 months maximum term limit. Equal monthly payments only. Not available to Pennsylvania residents; see your dealer for details. Must take retail delivery by July 31, 2026. See dealer for complete down payment and interest rate options and details. Financing available to qualified buyers. Some exclusions apply. See dealer for complete details.

*0% APR for 36 months. Monthly payment is $27.78 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 10.7%. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery 8/3/26. **Well-qualified customers who purchase a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle, 4 model years or newer with less than 60K miles between June 2, 2026 and July 31, 2026, and finance through a participating dealer and lender have the option to defer monthly payments for 90 days from contract date. Excludes Hendrick Performance vehicles. Finance charges begin to accrue on the date you sign the Retail Installment Sale Contract at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) disclosed in the contract. May not be combined with other preferred lender financing offers. 75 months maximum term limit. Equal monthly payments only. Not available to Pennsylvania residents; see your dealer for details. Must take retail delivery by July 31, 2026. See dealer for complete down payment and interest rate options and details. Financing available to qualified buyers. Some exclusions apply. See dealer for complete details.

Connect With Us

Menu

Hendrick Chevrolet Southpoint 35.89802, -78.94355.