I bought my first car in 1982. I remember my father telling me that its most important piece of emergency gear was the spare tire in the trunk. The spare tire, he told me, would get me back on the road in the event that I had a flat. I don’t dispute that. But today, is a portable jump starter more important than a spare tire?
The jury in my mind he still out on that one. I could invest in more expensive tires that would still allow me to drive 45-50 miles, with a flat, to find help. But if I am stranded with a dead battery and nothing but a pair of jumper cables, I need help to get my car going again.
The more expensive tires cost a lot more than a portable jump starter, especially given the fact that it is best to buy a complete set of four. So it can be hard to justify the expense. On the other hand, a portable jump starter can be a real handy device when you are looking at a dead battery.
The Multi-Tool Jump Starter
I have a friend who owns a Jump-N-Carry portable jump starter manufactured by Clore Automotive. He has told me more than once that if I plan to invest in a jump starter, I might as well buy a multi-tool unit. What is a multi-tool jump starter?
The least expensive portable jump starters are really just lithium battery backups. They perform only one function: provide the power necessary to jump-start a car with a dead battery. A multi-tool model is drastically different. Imagine one with the following three functions:
- Jumping – A multi-tool unit is still a jump starter first. You hook it up to your battery, crank the engine, and smile from ear-to-ear when the car starts up.
- Power Bank – More expensive multi-tool units come with accessories that allow you to use them as power banks. Everything from USB ports to standard power outlets gives you the energy you need to power phones, work lights, in more.
- Air Compressor – Some of the best units also include onboard air compressors. A flat tire suffering from a slow leak is no match. Just re-inflate the tire and then immediately head to the repair garage to have it checked out.
It goes without saying that a more expensive multi-tool jump starter also has built-in safety protection. A good unit offers protection against inverse polarity, voltage spikes, and overheating. I would definitely want those safety features if I were purchasing a jump starter.
Fast, Easy, and Convenient
Although I now live in a warm-weather state where jump-starting my car is rarely an exercise I engage in, I used to live in the Northeast. I know how valuable a jump starter could be in a harsh climate like upstate New York or the upper Midwest. A jump starter represents a fast, easy, and convenient way to get a car with a dead battery going again.
The best part about having a portable jump starter is not having to rely on strangers for help. No matter where you are, at any time of the night or day, a portable jump starter can get you back on the road in mere minutes. You don’t need to pay someone to come out and help you. You do not have to trust people you don’t know.
Is a portable jump starter more valuable than a spare tire? I haven’t decided that yet. I will say that there are advantages to keeping a jump starter in the car.