Few things are more annoying than getting in your car and it won't start. When your battery goes -- you've got a few options

"We test the vehicles and replace 10 -thousand batteries per year," says Ken Cousins with BCAA's Road Side Assistance Program.

Handling that many replacements-makes BCAA an expert on what can go wrong.

A common cause of dead battery problems is corroded terminals. If the terminals are dirty -- even a good battery won't start the car. So make sure your battery gets regular maintenance.

But be aware six out of every ten batteries get replaced too soon and end up back at the manufacturer where they are recharged and resold to used-car dealers. So get your mechanic to do a proper test before selling you a battery you may not need.

"The proper way to test a battery is to load test a battery so have any service garage test it with a proper tester. We often find when we are looking at batteries and we are testing the systems, in the vehicle, the battery is not the culprit behind the failure," explains Cousins.

If your battery does go dead, some people carry small, portable jump-starting devices. Consumer Reports just tested four, ranging in price from $30 to $60

These devices are designed for cars that aren't completely dead. They plug right into your car's power outlet. You wait five to ten minutes, and your car is supposed to start.

Tester Dave Trezza used each to start four different vehicles that had drained batteries. The results were less than impressive. Two, the Start-Me-Up-2 and the Porta-Jump, are small and light - but each only started one vehicle.

One out of four attempts is hardly something you can count on! The best of the bunch was the Black and Decker Simple Start, but it loses its charge over time ... so you have to remember to recharge the charger periodically or it will be dead when you go to use it!

"A better idea is a battery boost pack. They're a bit bigger and a bit heavier, but they'll start your car even if your battery is completely dead," recommends Trezza.

And the tests show you can rely on them to produce the juice, every time.

Booster packs are convenient but cost over $100, The cheapest and most reliable way to restart your dead battery is with good old-fashioned jumper cables. They should be at least 12 feet long -- and six gauge or heavier wire.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen