Batteries....what batteries?

Well you discovered your problem is with the battery and you up and replaceced it.  Here are some thing to do to keep in mind to help you get the maximum life out of your battery, even if it is a maintenance free battery.

1.  Cleaning the terminals on the battery.  You should do this once every 3 months with a wire brush.  You can also purchase specially made brushes to clean out the fitting that is attached to the positive and negative cables as well as the terminal posts on the battery.  If you have a side post battery where the cable connects to a side terminal using a bolt that attaches the cable to the battery you may also want to use compressed air to clean out the hole after you have scrubbed the inside of it.

2.  If you see a white substance build up around the terminal posts, then you have some leakage out of the battery.  At this point it would be a good idea to replace the battery before, because that escape of water and acid is doing the same thing to the plates inside the battery, so if you do get the battery recharged it isn't going to hold as long.

3.  If your car is not going to run for two weeks or more, then you will want to disconnect the cable attaced to the negative terminal on the battery.  This will keep systems like the stereo, alarm, and lights from drawing energy while in storage.

4.  Start up and drive.  If you don't use your vehicle that often, it is still important to have the alternator charge the battery, drive the car for atleast 20 minutes 2 times a week.