Forgive my ignorance of cars, but I was curious - if keeping your connections clean, your contacts free of sand, dirt, corrosion, and otherwise - why do batteries need to be thoroughly greased when they are placed in a vehicle?
2007-04-03 06:16:01 · 3 answers · asked by David K (The Real One!) 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It was an old trick to grease the battery battery terminals prior to installation of the battery cables. Greasing them prevents buildup of sulfation on the terminals and makes them last longer. This is only evident with older cars. Nowadays, this problem is pretty much eliminated with the coming of better materials and alloys. If your car is made in the 90's up. You dont have to grease them. Unless you got wiring or alternator problems and sulfation is constantly building up on the battery terminals.
2007-04-03 08:03:38 · answer #1 · answered by Tom C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The grease prevents corrosion from salts that will form as acidic and basic gases vent from the battery. It is a very good idea to use those treated felt washers as well. Actually, the grease in non-conductive, but it is displaced when you tighten the connections.
2007-04-03 13:22:31 · answer #2 · answered by 2 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The grease is a water vapor and air barrier to prevent corrosion from forming.
2007-04-03 13:20:23 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋