Aspirin in auto Batteries? 1

[Barthbill]

There is a lot of folklore about an aspirin in each cell of a dead battery giving it new life.

Does anyone know of the scientific explanation for this?

 

[TheBlacksmith]

Folklore.
Auto batteries are lead acid. Specifically lead (pB) and lead oxide (pBO2) and dilute sulferic acid (H2SO4). Two units of acid combine with 1 each lead and lead oxide to form lead sulfate and water, releasing electrons. Charging reverses the chemistry. A depleted battery therefore has used up both its acid and its lead. Addition of more acid, either battery acid or aspirin, can give a temporary boost. But since there is no additional lead, it is TEMPORARY.

Blacksmith