Nothing worse than a dead battery when you need to go somewhere. What car battery maintenance tips do you follow to extend battery life? I clean the terminals regularly and check voltage, but wondering what other preventative car maintenance for batteries I should be doing.
Car battery maintenance tips: clean terminals regularly with baking soda/water mix and wire brush, check voltage monthly (should be 12.6V+), keep battery secured (vibration kills batteries), and use a battery maintainer if car sits unused. In cold climates, a battery blanket helps. Also, check that alternator is charging properly (13.8-14.4V with engine running).
Preventative car maintenance for batteries: check water level if it's a maintenance-free type (some have removable caps), keep top clean (dirt can cause discharge), and make sure vent tubes are clear. Batteries typically last 3-5 years. If yours is older, consider replacing before winter - cold weather is hard on old batteries.
When jump starting: connect positive to positive, negative to good car's negative, then bad car's engine block (not battery negative). This prevents spark near battery gases. Start good car, let run 5 minutes, then try starting bad car. After starting, remove cables in reverse order. Drive bad car for 30+ minutes to recharge battery.