Battery terminal corrosion is a common problem that can lead to reduced battery life and electrical problems in vehicles. Corrosion occurs when corrosive liquids or gases from inside the battery escape and react with the metal contacts and battery terminals, causing them to corrode. The following are some common causes of battery terminal corrosion:

• Leaking fluid: If the battery is cracked or damaged, battery acid can leak from the casing and cause corrosion around the battery terminals.

• Overcharging: Overcharging is another frequent culprit for corrosion, especially when the damage appears limited to the battery’s positive terminal.

• Adding too much water: If too much distilled water is added during battery maintenance, it can cause battery acid to escape and come into contact with the metal terminals, leading to corrosion.

• Old battery: If the battery is more than five to seven years old, it’s probably nearing the end of its useful life and slowly losing its ability to hold a charge. When batteries reach this stage, corrosion around the terminals is to be expected.

To prevent battery terminal corrosion, you can take the following steps:

• Clean the terminals: Regularly clean the battery terminals and cable connectors to remove any corrosion that has built up.

• Protect the terminals: After cleaning, coat the battery terminals with dielectric grease or battery terminal protector to prevent corrosion in the future.

• Avoid overcharging: Overcharging the battery can cause the sulfuric acid inside it to heat up and react with the distilled water, leading to gas formation and corrosion.

• Avoid adding too much water: Adding too much distilled water during battery maintenance can cause battery acid to escape and come into contact with the metal terminals, leading to corrosion.

• Replace old batteries: If the battery is more than five to seven years old, it may be time to replace it to prevent corrosion around the terminals.

In summary, battery terminal corrosion is caused by corrosive liquids or gases from inside the battery escaping and reacting with the metal contacts and battery terminals. To prevent corrosion, you can regularly clean the terminals, protect them with dielectric grease or battery terminal protector, avoid overcharging and adding too much water, and replace old batteries.