I'll try to make this as short as possible.

1. When in Florida, I didn't have any problems with my car not starting. I could even forget to turn the lights off, come back after 5 minutes, and it'd still start even though the batteries were being drained.

2. I left my lights on a couple times at gas stations in 20 degree F weather for only a few minutes each time, and when I went to start my car, all the electronics worked just fine, but when I turned the ignition, it wouldn't turn over. I heard a sound like it's trying to turn over and it gets faster and faster as I hold the key but it just won't turn. Every time I jump the battery, it starts with no problems.

So my mind automatically jumps to "new battery". I don't know the brand I have off the top of my head but I was thinking of getting a Red Top since everyone says they're good. Could it be a different issue though? Starter? Plugs? Wrong oil? I used 10W30 if I remember correctly. Doubt it's the wrong viscosity that could cause the problem but I'm not an expert.

 

Cold start valve (it basically acts like a choke)
Moisture in the distributor, bad cap/rotor, plugs, wires

You can take your battery into your local parts store and have it load tested (should be free)

 

battery cables with corroded or bad terminals won't help even with a new battery. Get an interstate battery they will far outlast any other battery. If you take the car to a battery shop (probably better than the minimum wage kid at auto parts store) they will usually load test the battery and test the charging circuit for free. Probably get a better answer on whether your cables are any good. test replace the most obvious things before jumping to the exotic (like my oil is too thick)

 

Interstate doesn't even make their own batteries - they sell rebranded ones from other manufactures so depending on what model you buy you're getting a battery from a completely different manufacture! You're paying for a brand name when you don't need to....

Interstate Battery System of America, Inc., (US) +1-972-991-1444, 1-888-772-3600 or Batteries - Interstate Batteries has every battery for every need

50-Month, (Green Top) [Starting] by Johnson Controls
AGM Series [VRLA Spiral Wound] by Optima
Ameriton by Johnson Controls
BBG Series [VRLA] by C&D Technologies
Big Joe [Deep Cycle] by U.S. Battery
BPS Series [SLA Deep Cycle] by Power-Sonic
Bulldog [Deep Cycle] by Bulldog Battery
CATV Series [VRLA] by C&D Technologies
Cycle-Tron [Starting] by Yuasa
Cranking [Starting] by Johnson Controls
DCS, (Deep Cycle Series) by C&D Technologies
Extreme Performance [Starting Sprial Cell] by Optima
GC Series [Deep Cycle] by C&D Technologies
Mega-Tron, (Gray Top) [Starting] by Johnson Controls
Plus, (Black Top) [Starting] by Johnson Controls
Motorcycle [Power Sports Starting] by Yuasa
MVP, (Mobility Valu-Plus) Series [Deep Cycle] by C&D Technologies
PC Series [SLA Deep Cycle] by Power-Sonic
PowerVolt [Starting] by Johnson Controls
PS Series [SLA Deep Cycle] by Power-Sonic
SG Series [Gel Cell Deep Cycle] by East Penn
SC, (SpiralCell) Series by Optima
SDCS Series [Deep Cycle] by C&D Technologies
TCOM Series [SLA Deep Cycle] by Power-Sonic
TEL Series [Deep Cycle Deep Cycle] by C&D Technologies
U Series [Deep Cycle] by U.S. Battery
UPS Series [Deep Cycle Deep Cycle] by C&D Technologies
V Series [Starting] by Enertec Mexico
Workaholic [Starting] by Johnson Controls

 

Get an Optima battery, and never look back. Never worry about corrosion, and they always work when you need them to. I wont buy anything else again. Plus they have a lifetime warranty.

 

Yeah, I've had the same red-top in my car since 2006.

 

had a red-top for probably 2 years in 4 different cars on which it did die twice and a simple trickle charge brought it back to life

 

Red top will run you ~$100 more. Some will say it is worth it. Depends on how long you are going to keep the car. Advance Auto "Silver" will give you 4 years in various vehicles from my experience. I grabed a "Gold" with the highest CCA rating (700) to put in my 81. Iwill see how long it last... The biggest killer of batteries in my area is when they discharge and freeze

 

Lol. Red tops are about $200 now.

 

Yep. ~$100 more than what you would pay for a "Silver" which is around $100. Gold run ~$20 more, econos ~$20 less. I lucked out and got my Gold for $75. Advance Auto had and internet coupon for $50 off purchases over $125.Purchased a battery and filter online and went down the road to pick it up the same day.