Battery Chemicals

What Is Car Battery Acid & Why Is It Used?

What is in car battery acid is the key to facilitating the electrochemical reactions occurring between the battery's lead plates, ultimately generating electricity. Car battery acid is the liquid electrolyte solution found specifically inside lead-acid batteries, commonly used in vehicles to provide energy to start the engine and power various systems. The type of acid in a car battery is highly conductive and reactive, enabling it to efficiently transfer charged ions during the battery's charge and discharge cycles. When the battery discharges, the specialized battery acid reacts with the lead plates, converting chemical energy into electrical energy.

So, what is the acid in a car battery? The acid inside a car battery is sulfuric acid, diluted with water to form an electrolyte solution. This mixture typically consists of approximately 30% to 50% sulfuric acid, with the remaining percentage being water. Over time, the concentration of sulfuric acid in the battery can decrease due to normal use or improper maintenance. Low acid levels may reduce the battery's performance or lifespan, making routine inspection and maintenance crucial. Always exercise caution when working around battery acid.

High-Quality Automotive Battery Acid For Optimal Performance

The acid in car batteries is essential for generating and storing energy, guaranteeing reliable vehicle operation. Ensure your vehicle's battery operates at peak efficiency with premium car battery acid from NAPA Auto Parts. Specially designed for use in a wide range of automotive applications, our battery acid for cars provides the perfect solution to maintain and restore power to your vehicle's electrical system.

Whether you're recharging a depleted battery or need a refill for a maintenance project, our battery acid for personal vehicles and commercial fleets offers the reliability and quality you can trust. Formulated to meet the highest industry standards, our auto battery acid is compatible with most standard sedan and truck batteries, ensuring effective performance and longevity. It's an essential component for vehicle owners and repair professionals aiming to keep batteries performing optimally, even under demanding conditions.

At NAPA, we know it is important that your car starts smoothly every time. Poorly maintained batteries powered by depleted automotive battery acid cannot deliver consistent energy output. Easy to handle with appropriate safety precautions, battery acid sold by NAPA is a reliable choice for improving battery life. For peace of mind and safety, always follow proper handling guidelines and disposal practices for car battery acid.

The Best Way To Clean A Leaky Automotive Battery

Automotive battery acid, specifically the electrolyte solution, is highly corrosive and potentially hazardous, requiring proper handling and protective measures to avoid injury or damage. This is why leaking batteries can be a highly corrosive problem. Eventually, the leaking auto battery acid takes its toll on the metal surrounding and sitting under the battery. The older a vehicle is, the worse the corrosion could be. If not caught soon enough, this corrosion can work its way through the battery tray and into the radiator core or even the chassis itself.

If your engine is lethargic when you turn the ignition, pop the hood and look at the battery. Signs of corrosion include flaking paint, white powder build up, scale and rust. If you notice blue corrosion or a clear film over the top of the battery, it's an indicator that the component may be leaking battery acid or giving off acidic fumes. Both situations can ultimately lower the battery's voltage and efficiency, preventing the engine from starting as quickly as it should.

Grab a heavy-duty cleaning solution from your local NAPA Auto Parts store. Apply the solution to the terminals and cable ends. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes so it can neutralize the acid, and then grab your trusty terminal cleaner. If you catch the acid leak fast enough, the major damage should be limited to the battery tray. However, if the problem was ignored, the acid damage to the car battery could be terminal. Consult a NAPA expert to get select the best maintenance-free car battery to get you hooked up and back on the road.