Tip one: Clean the battery often. A dirty battery can cause the current to drain. This means that even if you are not leaving your lights on, or car doors open, you could face the frustration of having a dead battery. No one likes this, especially if they are in a hurry, or don't have jumper cables, etc. So, to clean the battery, use a damp rag and wipe it clean. If it is really dirty, or has a good deal of buildup, you could use a mild detergent to aid in the removal of dirt and debris. If you do this on a regular basis (such as after every oil change), you won't need to work as hard to keep your battery clean, a quick wipe down is all that will be necessary.

Tip two: Clean the battery posts (terminals). This is very important as once again the dirt can cause the battery to drain, or the battery power to be less effective. To clean the terminals you want to first remove the cables connecting to the battery. Start by loosening and removing the negative cable. The negative cable should be black or have a minus sight. Once you have removed the negative cable, work on removing the red or positive cable. Now clean the posts really well. Your best option is to purchase a brass wire battery brush, as they are designed just for this purpose. If there is a lot of grime or debris, it is good to use a cleaning solution or paste. One effective method is to use a few tablespoons of baking soda mixed with water, in order to form a thick paste. This will scrub away any grime, and leave you with clean terminals. Once you are doing cleaning the posts you will want to reconnect the cables, start with the positive, you reconnect them the opposite way you disconnect them. Once they are back in place, you can use a little bit of grease to coat them in order to help protect them from corrosion. Just be sure to only use a thin coating.

Tip three: Regularly check the battery for damage, cracks, bulges, etc. These are the early warning signs that your battery is in trouble, and if you watch for them and replace it when you see problems, you won't have the issues of leaked battery acid corroding your engine, or the pain of having a dead battery.

Keep your battery in good repair, and you won't have to deal with the hassle of having a dead battery.