Your car's battery is vital for its operation. When you turn your key in the ignition or push the ignition button, a signal is sent to the car's battery, which in turn converts chemical energy into the electrical energy used to start the engine. Once you get going, your car's battery powers things like the headlights, radio, and air conditioning system.
Unfortunately, batteries can develop corrosion. It's not a huge problem if you catch that issue early, but it can lead to the need for a complete battery replacement or even car repairs if left unchecked. With that in mind, read on to discover:
How Car Battery Corrosion Develops
Your battery is at work through every drive, and the gases it expels during normal operations will react with the surrounding metal to create corrosion. There's nothing you can do to completely halt that interaction, so time is often the ultimate cause of car battery corrosion. Other causes include:
How to Tell You're Suffering from Car Battery Corrosion
If you suspect corrosion, the best thing to do is pop the hood and check for a white, green, or blue build-up on the battery terminals. Make sure you leave the engine to cool if you want to check the battery after driving. Common symptoms of battery corrosion include diminished power, problems starting, and low-voltage dash light warnings.
How to Prevent Car Battery Corrosion
Aside from avoiding the situations mentioned above, you can prevent car battery corrosion by:
If you do notice corrosion, you can remove it yourself using either a professional cleaning solution or a mix of water and baking soda. If corrosion was serious, it's worth visiting your local manufacturer service centre to they can check for any further damage and carry out any necessary car repairs. If you suspect that the corrosion is severe, contact a company that offers services like Mercedes car repairs to learn more.