Diagnostics & electrical
Lithium jump starter
A battery pack the size of a paperback that starts a dead car without a second vehicle.
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Where to buy
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Why you need it
- No more flagging down strangers or finding cables. Clamp on, press the button, start the car.
- Most double as a USB power bank and flashlight.
- Safer than cables: the clamps are reverse-polarity and spark protected.
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What to look for
- Peak amps matched to the engine: 1,000 A covers gas engines up to about 6 liters; 2,000 A or more for diesels and big V8s.
- Lithium packs self-discharge; pick one that holds a charge for months and recharge it every season.
- Heavy-gauge clamps and a long enough lead to reach a battery buried in a fender.
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Goes with
Diagnostics & electrical
Battery charger / maintainer
Keeps a stored car, boat or second vehicle ready to start, and rescues a battery that sat flat.
Diagnostics & electrical
OBD2 scanner
Read the check-engine code yourself before anyone quotes you a repair.
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