5 Car Battery Tips and Tricks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
Updated: Oct. 04, 2018Uh oh! A dead car battery spells trouble. But don’t despair—these car battery tricks are as handy as a pair of jumper cables.
Aspirin
If you get behind the wheel only to discover that your car’s battery has given up the ghost—and there’s no one around to give you a jump—you may be able to get your vehicle started by dropping two aspirin tablets into the battery itself. The aspirin’s acetylsalicylic acid will combine with the battery’s sulfuric acid to produce one last charge. Just be sure to drive to your nearest service station.
Baking Soda
Eliminate the corrosive build-up on your car’s battery terminals. Scrub them clean using an old toothbrush and a mixture of three tablespoons baking soda and one tablespoon warm water. Wipe them off with a wet towel and dry with another towel. Once the terminals have completely dried, apply a bit of petroleum jelly around each terminal to deter future corrosive build-up.
Epsom Salt
Is your car battery starting to sound as if it won’t turn over? Worried that you’ll be stuck the next time you try to start your car? Give your battery a little more life with this potion. Dissolve about an ounce of Epsom salt in warm water and add it to each battery cell.
Petroleum jelly
It’s no coincidence that your car battery always dies on the coldest winter day. Low temperatures increase electrical resistance and thicken engine oil, making the battery work harder. Corrosion on the battery terminals also increases resistance and might just be the last straw that makes the battery give up. Before winter starts, disconnect the terminals and clean them with a wire brush. Reconnect, then smear with petroleum jelly. The jelly will prevent corrosion and help keep the battery cranking all winter long.
Soda
Yes, it’s true, the acidic properties of soda pop will help to eliminate corrosion from your car battery. Nearly all carbonated soft drinks contain carbonic acid, which helps to remove stains and dissolve rust deposits. Pour some soda over the battery terminals and let it sit. Remove the sticky residue with a wet sponge.
