Corrosion can build up on the terminals of a car battery over time, especially if the battery is not properly maintained. This corrosion can prevent the battery from making a good connection with the car's electrical system, which can lead to a number of problems, including:
- The car may not start at all.
- The car may start but then stall shortly afterwards.
- The car's lights may dim or flicker.
- The car's electrical accessories may not work properly.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it's possible that your battery terminals are corroded. To clean the terminals, you can:
- Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.
- Use a wire brush to clean the terminals and the battery posts.
- Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the terminals to help prevent future corrosion.
- Reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery.
If the corrosion is severe, you may need to replace the battery.