# Who keeps jumper cables in their car? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 29, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395 "2016-11-29T18:33:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/61 "2016-11-30T15:38:00Z")
I’ve had cables in my Escape since I bought it 4 years ago, and never needed them. Then suddenly, I needed them three times in a week (twice to start my car and once to rescue someone else). I needed, and got, a new battery. They sure are nice to have in the rare circumstances where they are nice to have! ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/62 "2016-11-30T15:38:45Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > I’ve had cables in my Escape since I bought it 4 years ago, and never needed them. Then suddenly, I needed them three times in a week (twice to start my car and once to rescue someone else). I needed, and got, a new battery. They sure are nice to have in the rare circumstances where they are nice to have! yeah, lead-acid car batteries give you a short warning period when they’re getting ready to die, then they’re done. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/63 "2016-11-30T17:53:13Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Fun Fact: -40 degrees F is the exact same as -40 Centigrade Yeah, but with windchill the whoosh is much colder. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/64 "2016-11-30T18:05:50Z")
I have a set in my car. My wife didn’t, until I realized that and put a set in there. Then again, she also didn’t own a pressure gauge either. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/65 "2016-11-30T18:26:27Z")
I always carry them. Half of the time is for ohter people. I also carry two or three 1.5l bottles of water. I usually travel to high altitude (over 4000m) and overheating may be a problem for me or others. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/66 "2016-11-30T19:45:37Z")
I keep a pair in my car, and end up using them ever 2nd or 3rd winter. Sure, I could call AAA, but when we get our stupid-cold week of the winter, there can be a 2-4 hr wait. Coil them up, and shove them on top of the spare tire, so no space lost. They last for years, if not decades, so it’s not exactly a big expense. I also make sure to get a heavy duty pair (lasts longer and I’m less likely to melt them) and a pair that is longer than my car, in case I need a jump, and my car is pulled into a parking spot. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/67 "2016-11-30T20:33:53Z")
I have some. I have a full bore safety kit, it’s just the set that came with it. I’ve used them once. You never know. ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/68 "2016-11-30T20:43:40Z")
\ > [@muldoonthief](#): > > I’ve got AAA too, but with cables I can deal with a dead battery in a tenth the time it takes them to show up. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/69 "2016-11-30T21:31:20Z")
> [@Alpha834](#): > > Why stop at jumper cables? > I keep a box in my trunk stocked with anti-freeze, motor oil, transmission fluid, wiper fluid, assorted fuses and fuse puller, portable folding shovel, road atlas,an insulating blanket, as well as a basic toolset. > While this is a bit of overkill since I currently drive a newer model car with relatively low miles, keeping these items handy has been beneficial in the past when I drove a car till the wheels fell off and has become a habit over the decades of driving less than reliable vehicles. I keep extra stuff too, but not quite to that extent. I have one of those lithium battery jumpstarted thingees myself. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2016, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/70 "2016-11-30T22:04:06Z")
Jumpers? Yes, along with basic tools, recovery gear, and clothing/bedding sufficient for the conditions should the former not suffice. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/71 "2016-12-01T00:44:08Z")
Not only do I carry jumper cables in my trunk, I made sure I have extra-long ones, with heavy copper wire. (I once had a cheap emergency road kit with short aluminum jumper cables, which were the pits). I wanted to be able to give or get a jump without having to bring our cars so close that they touched. I’ve used them a lot, too. Most recently a couple of weeks ago, to give someone else a jump. It beats waiting for AAA, even if you are a member. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/72 "2016-12-01T01:31:06Z")
I do and it’s very old and one side has already detached and has been bent back, I know it can work if I needed it to. Also have a emergency jump start Li-ion battery. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/73 "2016-12-01T02:15:48Z")
Yes, I do. Mine are high quality so I only needed to buy one set for life. I got them for my own benefit and have needed them for my vehicle 3 or 4 times over the years but I have also used them for random people’s vehicles every year or so. I saved someone from out of state just a few months ago with them. I don’t see the point in NOT carrying them. I have AAA Gold but the response time can be long (hours at some times and places). With my own jumper cables, I can jump start my vehicle or someone else’s in less than 5 minutes tops. All you have to know is the connection procedure (hint: the connection order is important but what you really want to avoid is hooking them up backwards or letting the leads touch when they are live). It is easy once you know the correct procedure though. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/74 "2016-12-01T02:25:07Z")
I used to and I need to again. My battery was dead tonight and I’m very grateful my neighbors had some. I’ll be buying more tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/75 "2016-12-01T03:28:01Z")
What do you guys mean when you say high quality/thick? 8 AWG? 4? The air compressor is also very useful. Like **Jophiel** I have a SO that I bought a tire gauge for. I think she already misplaced it. Do flares have a shelf life? Because I have very, very old ones, and never needed to use them. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/76 "2016-12-01T04:04:31Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > What do you guys mean when you say high quality/thick? 8 AWG? 4? > > The air compressor is also very useful. Like **Jophiel** I have a SO that I bought a tire gauge for. I think she already misplaced it. > > Do flares have a shelf life? Because I have very, very old ones, and never needed to use them. I just meant thick jumper cables that aren’t like the cheap ones that come as part of an auto emergency kit. There are many different sizes and lengths but even the good ones don’t need to be expensive.[Ones like this for $30 can set you up for life if you just hang onto them for personal use](https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Tool-W1673-4-Gauge-Jumper/dp/B00AETUVM4). They are twenty feet long and can jump almost any vehicle. You can get shorter ones even cheaper. You would have to try one of the flares to know for sure but chances are they still work. Flares in regulated environments like marine environments usually have a rated lifespan of about 3 years but flares on land will usually work for decades if they are kept in semi-dry conditions and appear to be in good condition. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/77 "2016-12-01T06:20:49Z")
Always. Always copper. Always long. Always to be the helper, not the helpee. Always turns out that I need them more than others… Always makes me mad that it is so. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/78 "2016-12-01T06:46:49Z")
I have cables, an air compressor for airing up a low tire, a plug kit, for when there’s a nail in the tire, an hydraulic jack (screw the one that came with the car), a cheater bar for the tiny wrench it came with, and also a full-sized spare I throw in my tiny trunk space when I go on a highway trip. I have an emergency bag with blankets, water and meal bars that I also take on trips. The car is so tiny, though, I don’t carry it when I’m just driving around the city-- although if I had to go out in a storm for some reason, I probably would. Also keep a small first aid kit and a box of fuses. I throw in bottles for fluid before a trip. When I had an older, bigger car, I carried fluids all the time. I used to have a manual, and now I have an automatic, but it’s very new. Haven’t actually needed cables in forever, but have started other people’s cars lots of times. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/79 "2016-12-01T11:35:06Z")
I keep jumper cables and a few basic tools. I’ve wondered about flares. Are they a fire hazard? I keep mine in the well of the trunk, not far from the gas tank. Is there any danger of them igniting from impact if I’m rear-ended? ---
**Author:** ![Terry\_Kennedy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@Terry\_Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terry_Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395/80 "2016-12-01T12:12:49Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I just meant thick jumper cables that aren’t like the cheap ones that come as part of an auto emergency kit. There are many different sizes and lengths but even the good ones don’t need to be expensive.[Ones like this for $30 can set you up for life if you just hang onto them for personal use](https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Tool-W1673-4-Gauge-Jumper/dp/B00AETUVM4). They are twenty feet long and can jump almost any vehicle. You can get shorter ones even cheaper. 40+ years ago I used to drive clunkers w/ bad batteries. Even back then, auto store jumper cables were of low quality, and in the intervening years they’ve gotten even worse. In 1976 I decided to make my own - I went to the welding supply store and bought 40’ of 2/0 welding cable, 4 clips w/ 2 red and 2 black boots, and soldered the clips to the cables. I still have those in my trunk (which is now a late-model BMW, not a clunker). I’ve given jump starts to other people who tell me “Oh, I have _good_ jumper cables”, only to discover that the cheap plastic insulation on them turns hard as a rock in below-freezing temperatures. The welding cables are still perfectly flexible, no matter the temperature. To answer a couple of points from earlier posts: BMWs have dedicated posts for jumpers under the hood, since the battery is in the trunk. Presumably some other brands do as well. The fluids from the battery aren’t the spark hazard - they’re mostly water with dilute acid (dead battery = dilute acid) and aren’t flammable. But applying a charge (such as via jumper cables) can cause the dead battery to emit hydrogen gas, which is flammable. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-keeps-jumper-cables-in-their-car/773395.md?page=5)