The Best Jumper Cables to Add to Your Car
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What to Know about Jumper Cables
It really doesn’t take a lot to wind up with a dead battery, a dome light accidentally left on overnight, an Arctic blast, etc. That’s why you want to keep a set of jumper cables in your car, so you don’t wind up stuck in an empty parking lot or sitting in the driveway late for work. However, while jumper cables seem pretty straight forward, not all sets are created equal. There are a few things to consider before buying some to stash in the trunk.
Wire gauge and rating: That refers to how thick the cables are. The lower the number, the thicker the cable. You want heavier cables because they can handle more power passing through and get a battery started fast. That also means they’ll work for a wider variety of vehicles, from sub compact cars to one-ton pickup trucks. A 6-gauge set is recommended for most cars, trucks and SUVs. Cables are rated for a certain number of amps. A set rated for 800 to 1,000 amps are recommended as they can handle the power needed to start larger vehicles.
Insulation: As a general rule, thicker is better. Insulation protects the cables from overheating when there’s electricity running through them, which protects the vehicle and the person handling the cables. It also protects the wires from cold weather.
Clamps and length: Solid, heavy-duty clamps with grippy teeth are a must. Weak clamps can slip off the battery terminal when you’re trying to jump the car. Solid copper clamps work best. Make sure the clamps are insulated too, covered with thick rubber, to protect you when you’re using them. The minimum length for cables is 12 feet, but you can easily find a longer pair which gives you more flexibility in lining up with the other vehicle required for a jump. A set of 25-ft. cables will take up more room in your trunk, but you’ll be glad to have the additional length when you need it.
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How to Jump Start a Car
Because it’s not something most of us do on a regular basis, take some time to review how to jump start a car. It’s a process that some people can find intimidating, but once you get the hang of it, it’s easy.
After lining up the two vehicles a best you can, it’s time to connect the cables. When connecting the cables, remember to start by connected the red clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery, setting aside the black clamp, and then connecting the red clamp on the other side of the cables to the positive terminal of the good batter. After that, connect the black clamp to the negative terminal of the good battery. Then, on the side with the dead battery, attach the black clamp to a clean piece of metal to ground it. Do not connect the black clamp to the negative terminal of the dead battery.
Once the cables are connected, start the car with the good battery and let it run for a few minutes. Then, go to the car with the dead battery and turn the key until the engine starts. After the car starts, wait half a minute or so before disconnecting the cables to make sure it doesn’t stall. If it doesn’t start, turn off both vehicles and check the jumper cable connections.
With both cars running, disconnect the jumper cables in reverse order.
