How To Properly Clean & Protect Your Battery Terminals From Corrosion 

I wish all mechanics were this diligent and thorough

Have a old Mitsubishi that had massive corrosion. Out of the hundreds of videos I’ve watched yours is by far the best. No comparison. Your advice and tips... thank you so much. I love learning the proper way to take care of my things 🥺

I've always loved using baking soda and water to clean off the corrosion on battery terminals. It is super fast and with a little rinse and maybe some light brushing they are cleaner than ever!

I just replaced the original battery that came in my 2010 5.4 F-150, it lasted 7 1/2 years! I almost bought an optima, but decided to get the motorcraft 65 850. The motorcraft was $132 vs $210 for the optima. I used versachem silicone grease to protect the terminals, it's all the parts store had. Thanks for another great video.

I totally agree on the Motorcraft batteries! Went through 3 Walmart (under warranty is why I keep using them)never start batteries in about 2 1/2 years. Went back to the Motorcraft battery and has been going strong for the past 3 years. I did have to charge it up earlier this winter because the car sits a lot in the winter but other than that no issues.

You know your tired when you are happy to sit and watch someone clean battery terminals, man am I tired.

My 2014 fusion came with AcDelco battery and after 3 years 80k Milage it is still looking like new and working great.

always had great service from my A/C Delco batteries. 5 to 7 years with the no maintenance versions.

Loved it when you said "Unless you have something really old". I remember when all Ford fastners were SAE! Good video on a common problem.

I'm running 10+ years on my Bosch battery and no sign of giving in. Never had one last this long. Great video. Thanks

I always use hot water with baking soda mixed in it. It really does a good job and if you use a 20 oz plastic soda bottle cut the top and stick the whole terminal in the fluid after getting most of the copper sulfate corrosion off them. Let it soak and fiz while your doing other repairs and checking all the lights exc.

You just confirmed something for me; I had a check engine light that went away after I put a new battery, I never thought that could be the cause.

Brian thanks for sharing. I used to have issues with any of the golf carts, and vehicles at work. I started using corrosion guard by BWD. I have not had any corrosion issues since. That has been going on for two years now.

2014 F150 Lariat, I removed the OEM group 65 battery, and installed a NorthStar AGM battery, best battery I've ever owned.

Both Motorcraft and Interstate batteries are made by the same company in the US. The most common battery failure problem is owners. They don't clean the post and connections. They discharge the battery three or four times till it's dead. Then they don't check the fluid level. Hell some don't even have a hold down bracket. Which that alone will shake a battery to an early grave!

Finally. Someone who does it the right way.

So if grease on a battery terminal is such a great improvement you would think the manufacturer of the vehicle would do this to all their new vehicles as a matter of course. Nothing beats regular inspection/service. Of course the term planned obsolescence originated with Henry Ford. Love your videos and I drove Ford vans and pick ups for 40 years. I wish they got better gas mileage but will probably go back because of seating position is more comfortable than my Lexus RX 450h for long trips.

I dont know what your dealer pays flat rate for a battery service but ours is like a 10th or 2. We dont have the time to waste doing all of what you did. To pass along a trick an old timer passed along to me...Unhook terminals, Get a gallon jug, go get the hottest water you can find, pour it slowly from a foot above (like a waterfall) onto the terminals. This will clean them better than any spray. Trust me. Try it.

many videos on here and other research shows 80% of all batteries are made by Johnson Controls - that company makes Walmart everstart, Diehard, Interstate and Duralast --- all are the exact same and same specs - the reason you pay more for some is the warranty is longer so you pay more but are covered longer BUT its the same plastic, lead and acid

I agree about using the MotorCraft batteries. Live in Arizona and the heat is really hard on batteries. I have tried many brands and the Motorcraft batteries last much longer.

I was surprised you didn't clean the battery tray when you had the battery out. You are absolutely right I always buy Motorcraft batteries for my Ford trucks when the need to be replaced. Very though and as usual a great video. I never used dielectric grease on battery terminals but I will now, many thanks.

I like the anti seize tip on the hold down bolt. I inherited one that snapped due to corrosion.

After cleaning any corrosion from a new cars battery terminal, I always coat the post and terminal contact area with a copper based conductive grease. They will never corrode at that contact point again, and it seems to inhibit corrosion across the entire terminal as well. Cheers.

I just spent an hour on mine yesterday. Lesson learned, prefer protect than fix.

Bosch batteries are good. Three year free replacement and pro rated for ninety six months. They use all new lead in their batteries and no recycled material. I had one go bad and they replaced it no questions.

I apply baking soda or battery cleaner first, then rinse off and take to the pressure washer to get caked up corrosion out the terminals. Finally I scrub posts and terminals as well as apply dielectric grease to the terminals and posts. I can understand not pressure washing in cold weather as well as risking splattering acid everywhere.

Just FYI Johnson Control makes a lot of the brands "you know and love". So playing favorites with brands sometimes it's just right down pointless. The key is in the preventative maintenance of your car.

I just got a new Motorcraft battery - gave back the old MC one - it was just about 10 years old by the sticker. The parts guy said I'm not surprised.

Tool is for cleaning copper pipe prior to welding found in plumbing supplies

When removing terminals it's best to not pull up, but rather rotate it til its loose...it will lift off readily.

1swt as a trained auto-electrician i was taught NEVER to put anything between battery post and terminal [can cause high resistance] and NEVER coat with grease they contain acids, only use petroleum jelly

to clean any built up corrosion around a battery terminal.... just mix some baking soda and water in a spray bottle.. It will immediately dissolve all the corrosion without removing the cables You will be amazed how well this works.

You're right on the Motorcraft house brand batteries. I can't get 4 years out of a Sears, AutoZone,Wallymart battery. I drive a 2013 Ford Expedition now and it pays to buy the best battery you can. Solves a lot of electrical problems down the road also. jmo.

you may want to be careful when you use a dielectric grease which is a insulator. in this case the pressure of battery clamping can remove the grease therefore current flows. but it may restrict electric current in some condition grease dry and change their characteristic over time. so i would not apply the grease on contacting area, ie battery post.

Clean Batteries with Sealed Connectors go a long way! Good Video!

My Optima Red Top didn't last more than a few years and was never discharged or abused. It was a combination of the WORST, MOST EXPENSIVE battery that I ever owned! So much for longevity!

I hate those reamer tools in general. They tend to take out too much material and then the terminals do not want to tighten down like they should. I only use brush style with good results.

Aww, didn't rinse out the battery box. Then applies a dielectric grease to the posts and terminals is a big NO - apply AFTER attaching dry, clean posts & terminals are secured / tightened. Why? Because even the dielectric grease is NOT an electrical conductor! Although the grease will not allow corrosion, it will also not allow for an electrical connection. Apply grease (the red spray on) AFTER attaching the terminals to the battery posts. But thanks for posting!!!

Was going to say 16 minutes to show how to clean a car battery? Seriously? But yea...great video! Lots more information and tips in here than you can shake a stick at. Much appreciated and awesome comments as well!

I always like the GM side terminals I've never had any problems with them and lot of people hate him for some reason good video :-) I hate Top terminal batteries it always seems to to have corrosion on those type of batteries

Batteries are a crapshoot, these days. My dealership said my factory Motorcraft battery in my 2011 EB F150 (built Sept 11, bought new Nov 11) was already failing a year and a half later in May of 2013 a little past 36k miles. On the contrary, I had a Walmart Everstart Maxx last 5+ years in my '03 4Runner I used to have... My Optima Red Top is still working just fine in the EB so far, but does crank a bit slower if the truck sits for a couple of weeks without being started.

Great job, man. I've been doing maintenance on all my vehicles for 3 decades now. This is a proper way to maintain the terminals. Me personally, I would avoid use of high pressure water in the engine compartment unless the electrical areas are masked off.

The Motorcraft has the best warranty by far. I've bought 3 batteries from them over 10 years and only had to pay the pro rata rate for the new one each time. So the first battery was 120, the second one was 70, the third one was 50. So each time you pay for the next battery your pro rata rate goes down to the new price it is the best warranty out there.

Still have the same motorcraft batt that came in my 2014 F150 and just this year got corrosion bad and will clean again tomorrow after watching this video, and this is April 2022

In the late 80s you could readily get a 7 year full warranty car battery for $49 and they lasted that long too. Standard batteries with 3 year warranty were $29 all day long. I know this as I'm still driving my '83 C10 and just paid $175 for an inferior battery with a diminishing percentage warranty, so basically no warranty.

Father in law taught me this, a little Vaseline on each post, never had corrosion again, on my accord.

FYI- Bought a New Car Battery at my Local Advanced Auto Store..thy R&R the old one and said to come back every year and they will clean the terminals , and has a 5 yr Free Replacement.. and gave me a sticker and put on the new Battery when to return next yr..

Motorcraft is the best but the Napa legend battery is pretty strong never had a problem with either

I thought dielectric grease was non conductive and acted as an insulator? Wouldnt that make the metal to metal contact more dull?

A moderate coating of good ole Vaseline will prevent corrosion and it lasts for a long time. Something I learned from a motorcycle mechanic.

Walmart "NeverStart" is the worst - said it right here. : ) 14:38 You got that right my friend. Keep up the outstanding work.

After cleaning use high temp wheel bearing grease

Simple. Easy. Nice work. Thanks.

I had a motorcraft battery and had to get a new one every yearfor 3 years straight..Ford dealer ended up giving me full refund and I bought an interstate battery and have had no problems since.

Who knew? Nice work.

You ever get that crap on your clothes? It turns your t shirts into fishnets

Good video. In my experience, nothing works better than baking soda mixed with warm water and an old toothbrush. The you just need to pour a cup of warm water over it when you’re done.

I work in quick lane... This is useful stuff.

Isn't that silicone grease dielectric grease? Isn't it an insulator? Doesn't it cause a bad connection between the battery post and terminal?

I had a Walmart battery and it failed just after the warranty. Crap!. I looked at different places and didn't like the prices. I just happened to check with a Ford dealer and found one for a little over $100 for a 7 or 8 year warranty. Can't beat that!

Like overcharging of the alternator to compensate for loss of energy from bad connection.

Isn't dielectric grease non-conductive?

Thanks, that's a job I have coming up soon.

Dielectric grease does not conduct electricity. He shouldn't have put between the terminals and and the wires. Put the wires on the battery, THEN you can put dielectric grease on.

Great video! Now I feel it's safe to put dielectric grease on my terminals to protect them. I was worried about inhibiting the connection.

that was great-- I had sears do a battery for me-- looked like they hardly cleaned the terminals and no grease or red spray to protect it-- bastards-- now I have to reclean everything--

Is the positive and the negative post the same size?

People give me flack for using Dielectric grease for stuff like this. I suspect they would wrongly disagree with me on a lot of other things too.

dielectric grease is typically used for high voltage connections where rubber is used in the connectors, the grease is conductive so it lubricates without significantly limiting current flow. It won’t hurt anything to use it, however it doesn’t help much. You’d be better off using something that fights against corrosion better. Just my $0.02

Excellent video. Don't forget to tell people they could lose there radio and need to recode to operate it if the battery is disconnected.

I thought dielectric grease is non-conductive, won't it hurt the electrical connection to use it?

Thanks for the tips. Really appreciate the information you provided.

Woohoo finally Im not the only one using anti-sieze

ac delco makes the best batteries hands down I run them in my 18 wheelers and I got over 10 years

Question for you FordTechMakuloco, should I be concerned about the corroded particles falling down into the engine compartment and the water from the pressure washer harming any possible parts in the engine compartment? Thanks

What causes the corrosion? I recently purchased a battery for my 07 ford expedition. I thoroughly cleaned the corrosion from my cables before putting the cables on the new battery with the circular pads that go on the terminals. And I also sprayed the protective spray on the terminals and cables and it still corroded after a few months....

I was 100% with you till the grease application. My method puts nothing between the clamp and post but after tightening I’ll completely cover it with grease

Wouldn't you want to avoid the grease on the contact points and apply it everywhere else only?

If I’m cleaning battery on 2016 F150 xl and take the battery out, when I reconnect will the battery light come on or the bms give trouble?

Some the works really well is water submerge the terminals in hot water and it will nock the corrosion right off

Awesome video; I’m about to do this right now.

I can garden hose my in my engine for the battery and connectors??

The other side of that cable have a big male connector I want to know a code part of that connecter to buy new one

I’ve been buying John Deere batteries for a number of years with great luck

im Colorado we went through for car batteries on the family vehicles this year, need a good brand that wont freeze or drain so fast in -2 weather

You removed the Negative Terminal first. I know that it breaks the GROUND, but if you remove the Positive Terminal, you have no power to anything. And lots of people forget to clean out the battery box. A good general cleaning, followed by using a wire brush to clean out any rust, and a coat of rust inhibitor paint works wonder. Once the box is cleaned, coat the bottom with baking soda to cut the corrosion.

walmart everstart has always lasted me at least 3 years on my 2001 Taurus. One I replaced today was 4 years. I guess I've just been lucky. It was overcharged when I took it out. Sides were bloated from the overcharge on the battery going bad. Got up to 950 amps 150 over the 800. I checked the alternator. It was charging from 14.2 volts cold to 14.05 when settled out. So I don't think the voltage regulator was bad. I also tested with RPM at 2k. It stayed at 14.05. So I assume it was just the battery age / short inside the battery. I might try motorcraft next time. I've always like thier products. Especially the belts, I've had squeaking issues with other belt brands despite new pullies in proper alignment. I will say on my Jeep Everstart corroded like crazy with spray on grease. The Taurus has different terminals. They don't seem to corrode as much, but I also switched to a type like what you were using from a tube to get a thicker layer on. They have battery cleaner that turns pink from yellow when battery acid is still present. It didn't look like yours did. I usually stop cleaning once it stops turning pink.

I've had good luck with Diehard batteries. Interstate not so much. I have the max motorcraft in my 2010 Milan. But, I've always used Diehard. I had one in my 2002 Windstar that lasted 7 years.

thank you this help me out a lot

I came from the oil pump video to the timing video to this video.....

Awesome video. Thanks for the info!

I got a problem with my 2001 ford taurus SE I have no power in the car my head lights work I check the battery and its good what can be the problem

Hello, Have a question, do those corrosion caused by battery terminal leakage?

i currently have a CAT brand in mine, 1000 CCA great for our cold weather

How critical is it to remove ALL the blue dust?

Love the music in the back round oh by the way good job

got a 2013 6.7 f250. had that corrosion problem so went and bought a brand new optima yellow cap. a month later truck wouldnt start, so i opened the hood and i couldnt even see the terminal from all the corrosion on it. whats the reason for corrosion, why does that happen, and its only one of the 2 batteries that has this problem. thanks

Great Job!!

Very good video

Great video, man. Thanks.