Key factors to consider before buying a car battery jump starter

Likely, there is a point in your life when you will need to jump-start your car. Despite recent cars being more advanced than before, most of them still run on batteries. These batteries fail or run down often, so jump-starting your car while on the road is the best option. The trick is to find the right jump starter that meets your needs. This article will explain some of the factors you need to consider before buying a car battery booster.

Types of jump starters

Firstly, you need to understand that there are various types of jump starters. The most common ones are jumper cables, battery chargers, and portable jump starters. Many people prefer using a portable jump starter because they are affordable, safe, and easy to use.

However, there are also various types of these portable jump starters which makes it challenging to choose the right type. Regardless of the type of jump starter, it’s important to have a budget in place. The money you intend to spend will determine the quality, size, and features of a jump starter. Read this Battery booster review to know the type of jump starters that meet your needs.

The rule of the thumb is that you should avoid spending extra money on a jump starter unless there is a value that you’re getting from it. In the same vein, you shouldn’t go for the cheapest jump starter because such jump starters might fail to restart your car.  

The features of a jump starter

The car batteries can fail after a certain time. This is the reason why you need a car jump starter to restart your vehicle. These jump starters have unique features that can affect their performance. Therefore, you should consider the following features before buying your jump starter: 

The size and shape of a jump starter

The size and shape of a jump starter you buy are some of the key factors you need to consider. These features can also determine the price you need to pay for a specific jump starter.

The size of your vehicle’s engine can also influence the size of a jump starter you need. Bigger engines need more power to turn over, so it’s important to choose a jump starter which is up to the task of restarting your engine.

Likewise, make sure that you choose a high-quality jump starter that you can use for a long time. Otherwise, you can have a jump starter that fails to work in your time of need. 

Thankfully, most of the jump starters have product information that shows the maximum engine size that these products can restart. You might find that the maximum engine size for petrol cars is larger than that of diesel cars.

Because portable jump starters have different sizes and shapes, you should make sure that it’s small enough to fit under the seat of your car, in your glove box, or anywhere you choose to store it when it’s not in use. This is the reason why it’s not only its size that is important but also its shape. Keep in mind that the size of a jump starter can affect the price, so you should consider both of them at the same time. 

The charging specifications 

Your car’s owner’s manual will show you everything you need to know about jump-starting your car. Understandably, many people don’t have enough knowledge of electronics, so you need to match up your jump starters to the requirements of your car.

Make sure that you are buying a jump starter that is capable of turning up your engine because one that can’t get you anywhere. Ideally, a jump starter you decide to buy should have adequate amps so that it can jump-start your vehicle.

In case your jump starter has more needed amps to jump-start your battery, there is nothing to worry about. You should just make sure that there are enough amps because your vehicle will automatically pull in only the right amount from the jump starter.  

That said, you should also ensure that your jump starter comes with safeguards. For example, you can find some jump starters that will turn off the power or sound an alarm when you connect the cables incorrectly. This can be important and safer for you when using them.

A jump starter that is easy and safe to use can be great for you. This means it should have other features, such as spark-proof connections to make sure that it doesn’t crackle to life when there is reverse polarity or they touch your vehicle’s battery. This can give you peace of mind knowing that you have a short-circuit protection that prevents damages to your car.

Additional features

The best jump starters have extra features that can optimize their function. However, some of these features can be more useful to you than others. Hence, it makes sense to shop around and figure out the features that make sense to you.

You can find features such as charge indicators, LED lighting, and USB plugs. Even better, some jump starters even have air compressors that allow you to inflate your car tires. The Tyre inflator review has explained in detail how you can find jump starters with air compressors.

Warranty

The warranty of your jump starter is also a key factor you need to consider. Most jump starters have some sort of warranty, but you should read carefully the fine print stated on the product information. You see, it’s your right to return the jump starter or have it replaced when it fails to perform during the first years after you buy it.

Fortunately, most jump starters come with a reasonable warranty. However, there are also a couple of other products out there that are poorly manufactured. As a result, these products might have a short warranty period to prevent you from returning or replacing them after a specific period.

To avoid falling into a trap of buying incorrect jump starters, perhaps you should read customer reviews. These are the reviews about the experiences of other customers on a particular brand of jump starters. With the customer reviews, you can find out all the advantages and disadvantages that are not included in the product description.

Photo: Pixabay