Is the red terminal on a car battery the positive or negative pole?
2 Answers
Car battery red is the positive pole. The following are the maintenance methods for the battery: 1. Pay attention to cleanliness: Usually, pay attention to the cleanliness of the battery to prevent the battery lines or terminals from being covered by dirt. 2. Regular inspection: Regularly inspect the battery, including checking whether the battery casing has cracks and electrolyte leakage, whether the connection lines are firm, and whether the charging circuit is normal. When the battery voltage is insufficient, it should be checked and replaced in time. 3. Avoid battery depletion: When parking for a long time, it is recommended that the owner remove the negative terminal of the battery, which can avoid the vehicle battery from being depleted.
I've been working with cars for over 30 years and have seen plenty of battery issues. The red terminal is definitely the positive pole, while the black one is the negative—this color coding is designed for instant recognition, with red signaling the danger of high voltage. If you reverse the polarity when replacing the battery or jump-starting, it can blow fuses, damage the ECU, or even cause a fire. Always wear gloves before working, and remember the disconnection sequence: remove the black negative terminal first, then the red positive one. Reconnect in reverse order to avoid sparks. Battery terminals often corrode, affecting conductivity—clean rust with baking soda solution to extend lifespan, then apply anti-corrosion grease for better protection. Regularly check voltage (no lower than 12.4V), especially in winter when failure risks increase. These details matter—safe driving starts with proper maintenance.
