PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
Can corroded battery terminals cause a car not to start?
My car refused to start this morning, and my dad, who lives four hours away, says I need to check the battery terminals for corrosion. Can corroded battery terminals actually cause a car not to start? Is this a rare occasion where my dad might be wrong?
Matt Terzi · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Yep, corroded battery terminals can cause a car not to start.
A car might not start for any number of reasons, but corroded battery terminals are definitely one of the first things to look at because they’re easy to spot and fix.
Cleaning the terminals is easy enough. First, you’ll want to thoroughly mix about a tablespoon of baking soda with a pint of warm distilled water. Now simply pour that onto your terminals.
Let that sit for a minute or two, then scrub the terminals with an old toothbrush or a wire brush. Once you’re done, rinse it off by pouring distilled water onto the terminals, and then dry it all off with a rag or a paper towel!
If the terminals are clean and the car still won’t start, you’ll need to call a mechanic and possibly have your car towed. We hope that’s not the case!
Looking to impress a parent who seems to know everything? Show them how a simple app on their phone can save them money on car insurance. All they need to do is download
Jerry
, America’s #1 top-rated car insurance
app, and answer a few brief questions. They’ll see huge savings in as little as 45 seconds!Jerry is
a trusted broker app
that has helped millions of drivers save an average of more than $800 per year on car insurance.View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies