# Jumper/Booster Cables **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [October 28, 2008, 1:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334 "2008-10-28T13:27:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FshrKing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@FshrKing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FshrKing)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 1:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334/1 "2008-10-28T13:27:22Z")
Need to buy cables for the winter as a precaution. Would you recommend Autozone durablast cables or something else. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 1:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334/2 "2008-10-28T13:32:29Z")
Whatever you do, don’t cheap out and buy flimsy cables. Thin, wimpy cables are worthless. Spend the extra money for good jumper cables and you will never be sorry. Get them LONGER than you think you will need, too. You can’t always get two vehicles nose-to-nose when one needs a jump. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 1:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334/3 "2008-10-28T13:52:45Z")
14 gauge COPPER or better. ---
**Author:** ![bloody\_knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@bloody\_knuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bloody_knuckles)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334/4 "2008-10-28T22:24:55Z")
If you want cables that are useful and work then you should get the following: 1- 8 gauge cable or heavier 2- At least 15 feet and preferably 20 feet. The longer the better. 3- Flexible in cold temps. Cables that get rigid when they are cold are useless when they are needed most. This is advice based on many years living in the snow belt. My heavy duty 8 gauge, 20 ft cables have started many cars that would not start with cheaper cables. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334/5 "2008-10-28T22:32:38Z")
Don’t know what those are, but expect to pay $20-$30 for good cables. I vote with BN, above. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334/6 "2008-10-28T22:41:11Z")
> **[Amazon.com: Road Power 08666 16-Feet Heavy-Duty Truck and Auto Battery Booster...](https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Systems-08666-Polar-Glo-Booster/dp/B00002243Z)** > > Buy Road Power 08666 16-Feet Heavy-Duty Truck and Auto Battery Booster Cables with Polar Glow Clamps, 4-Gauge: Automotive - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases Here’s what you want in a set of jumper cables. And if possible, find a set that has the prongs that swing out from the jaws that allows use on side mount type batteries. Tester ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2008, 11:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334/7 "2008-10-28T23:28:48Z")
I ran into a problem with a set of small-wire jumper cables back in the day when cars had metal bumpers. Trying to jump-start a car, there just wasn’t enough power getting through those small wires to start the jumpee. Inspiration struck! THUD! Mmmm…metal cars…car bodies are grounds…connect grounds…how?..touch grounds together…touch car bumpers together…use both jumper cables from battery positive post to battery positive post to the carry current… VA-ROOM! VA-ROOM!! ---
**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 3:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334/8 "2008-10-29T03:00:07Z")
Along with good booster cables, get into the habit of always backing in to a parking slot no matter where. With the front of the vehicle facing out, any length of cables will reach. Never park with the front bumper next to a wall. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 11:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334/9 "2008-10-29T11:02:03Z")
While you are visiting Autozone or another auto parts store consider letting them check your battery and charging system. Many auto part stores will do it for free and they do a good job. Try to avoid the need for the cables. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 11:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334/10 "2008-10-29T11:13:02Z")
Battery failure is very rare unless you live on the brink or are forgetful about shutting headlights off(Subaru’s do it for me). Seems like an extreme on a daily basis for something that happens so rarely. However if you leaving a while (eg airport) its a good idea. However than again my insurance (Progressive) I added a AAA like road service for a meager $15/year/vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 8:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334/11 "2008-10-30T08:58:03Z")
Buy something Made in the USA (hopefully some left out there), [http://www.autozone.com/shopping/recalls/recalls.htm](http://www.autozone.com/shopping/recalls/recalls.htm) ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 9:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334/12 "2008-10-30T09:58:56Z")
Excellent Advice, Andrew 🙂 The last ones I bought (it’s been a while) were 6 gauge copper made by Coleman Cable, Chicago, made in U.S.A. I just checked the internet. They’re still in busines, going strong, thanks to Americans. Their online catalog has jumper cable choices and info. Sears, K-Mart/Sears, and Wal-Mart sell heavy cables. I don’t know their country of origin, though. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 2:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334/13 "2008-10-30T14:26:41Z")
What an idiot…I should have proof read my post… 4 GAUGE copper…14 gauge copper is speaker wire. I have a set of 4 gauge copper - 16’ I bought at Sears on sale about 25 years ago. I’ve needed them about 5 times…twice for me…and three times for other people. 4 gauge will allow you to start the car from the other cars battery. Smaller gauge you’ll have to leave the cables on for a while to charge up the dead battery. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/jumper-booster-cables/21334/14 "2008-10-30T14:45:44Z")
I don’t recommend “durablast” products. It’s best to avoid products that are prone to explosion. ;-))