When choosing jumper cables, focus on the diameter and conductor material. If you want to be sure you will be able to start a more powerful diesel engine, buy thick jumper cables with pure copper conductors.
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Conductor material
- Copper - can carry approximately 1.3 times more current than aluminium at a comparable diameter and is significantly more resistant to breakage.
- Copper-coated aluminium - affordable, has about 70% of pure copper carrying capacity and is relatively easy to break.
So, what size do I need to start?
| Conductor diameter | Cranking current | Suitable for |
- 9 mm2 copper
- 16 mm2 copper-coated aluminium
| (about 200 A/5s. max.) | motorbikes, garden tools, quads, petrol engine cars up to 1600 cc |
- 16 mm2 copper
- 25 mm2 copper-coated aluminium
| (400 A/5s. max.) | petrol engine cars up to 2500 cc |
- 25 mm2 copper
- 35 mm2 copper-coated aluminium
| (600 A/5s. max.) | diesel cars up to 3000 cc and petrol engine cars up to 5500 cc |
- 35 mm2 copper
- 50 mm2 copper-coated aluminium
| (800 A/5s. max.) | diesel passenger cars and vans up to 4000 cc and petrol engine cars up to 7000 cc |
Clamps
- Without insulation - cheaper, but less experienced users can easily cause a short circuit.
- Insulated - provide better protection against short-circuits, but make the clamping process slightly harder and come with a higher price tag.
Does pushing the car help?
Pushing is recommended only for older cars. It’s not suitable for cars with advanced catalysts and fuel injection, as the catalytic converter would receive unburned fuel, which could destroy the engine after the car finally starts. It's also bad for timing belt engines, as it can damage the belt or change the position of the valves and pistons.
