jumper cables or jump starter?

[extrashaky]

Why not both? Jump starters are small enough now that it's not like you're going to run out of room.

I bought a jump starter from Amazon from one of their daily deals and put it in my car back when the garbage stock Painasonic battery started shitting itself. Despite having a high number of positive reviews, the jump starter also shit itself the first time I tried to use it. The display went crazy with the LCD flickering in a circular pattern.

The lesson there is that jumper cables are mature technology that are almost foolproof. At some point I'll probably get another jump starter, but only as a convenience knowing that I have the cables if the new technology fails.

When I bought my car, the dealer threw an "emergency kit" in the back seat that includes a lightweight set of cables in a flat, circular bag. When the seat is folded down (which is always), that bag fits right into the hollow made by the seat cushions. Out of sight, but I still have the peace of mind of knowing it will be there when I need it and will actually work.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

.................so let the alternator charge the battery for at least a hal;f hour after you get going.

In addition, you may wish to put your battery on a slow charger to bring it back up to full charge.


humfrz

[CBRZY]

I got stuck at a national park once (high altitude around 9,000 ft, car couldn't start normally) and nobody was around to help me and I had no cell service (lol), so having a jumper pack was ESSENTIAL.

But I would just stash both options just in case.

[RToyo86]

It probably depends a lot on your driving habits and where you drive. If you are in rural area with little traffic a booster pack is probably a good idea.

I've got a battery charger at home with a high amp jump start feature.

I've used it more than I've needed booster cables.

[Silverz]

I’ve carried cables for 30 years and never had to use them. I have jumped 3 other cars though. Lol

[eastendraceshop]

I carry both just to be safe in my daily. In the FRS, none because, weight reduction!

-Sam

[spike021]

Originally Posted by jordan7831

A lot of the jump packs also have the ability to charge up your devices too which is also an added function. Though you can't beat your kid with the jump pack like you can jumper cables. Hopefully someone at least got that reference

classic, hahaha.

[lynnmichelle]

Thanks everyone! I ended up getting both and also cancelling AAA. Geico seems to have the same roadside assistance coverage for 9.99/6months and that saves me some money to boot!

[Stang70Fastback]

I've carried jumper cables in my car for, like, 15 years, and in that time I think I've jumped my own car once, but jumped other random strangers' cars at least 2 or 3 dozen times, lol. Including a school bus once... that had been rewired so that the positive terminal on its battery was a black cable, and the negative terminal was red. That was a... sparky... experience, lol.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Stang70Fastback

I've carried jumper cables in my car for, like, 15 years, and in that time I think I've jumped my own car once, but jumped other random strangers' cars at least 2 or 3 dozen times, lol. Including a school bus once... that had been rewired so that the positive terminal on its battery was a black cable, and the negative terminal was red. That was a... sparky... experience, lol.

Be careful trying to jump a pre 1950 Packard, Nash, Hudson or Studebaker.




humfrz

[p1l0t]

I can jump your car.

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[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by lynnmichelle

weirdos are usually my biggest problem.

Are you hot?

[p1l0t]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Are you hot?

The weirdos ain't care.

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[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by p1l0t

The weirdos ain't care.

I was trying to start a good troll but you killed it with your facts.