Jumper cables
Vehicle ToolsHeavy-gauge cables for starting a car with a dead battery from another vehicle.
- Approx. cost
- $20–$60
- Weight
- 4–8 lb
- Used in
- 2 kits
Purpose
Get a dead-battery vehicle running without waiting for a tow.
Used in kits
- Basic Vehicle Emergency Kit
Vehicle
- Winter Car Kit
Vehicle
Alternatives
- Lithium jump starter— No second car needed; requires charge maintenance every few months.
Maintenance notes
- Inspect clamps and insulation yearly for corrosion or cracking.
Buying considerations
- 4–6 gauge, 16–20 ft: thinner or shorter cables fail exactly when you need them.
- Look for fully-shrouded clamps to reduce short risk.
⚠️ Safety notes
- Connect in the correct order (dead positive → live positive → live negative → engine ground). Wrong order can damage electronics or spark near the battery.
Page history & editing
Revision status: approved Last edited 2026-07-01 by human editor