Correct sizing for jumper cables

bmninada

Contributor
:
2016 CX-5 AWD GT+iActive Soul Red
I want to put a set of jumper cables in trunk, what's the preferred gauge/amp sizing I should get? Any recommendations on length is welcome.
 
Get them at least as long as your car in case the closest you can get is behind it. I would get at least 4 gauge Bigger (lower number is better.)
 
The gauge is usually based on the length. I usually get 4 or 6 gauge, never will I get anything higher than 8.
 
Great, got myself a 2 gauge 25'. Should be sufficient. Good point regarding length of car. Thanks.
 
I want to put a set of jumper cables in trunk, what's the preferred gauge/amp sizing I should get? Any recommendations on length is welcome.

I don't get it. You asked your question at 11:50 am, got 2 answers and had made your purchase before your post at 1:28pm. Why not just look up the answer on Google? There's plenty of information all over the internet. If you really wanted some people's opinions by posting on this forum, I would think that you would give it more than an hour and a half.
 
I don't get it. You asked your question at 11:50 am, got 2 answers and had made your purchase before your post at 1:28pm. Why not just look up the answer on Google? There's plenty of information all over the internet. If you really wanted some people's opinions by posting on this forum, I would think that you would give it more than an hour and a half.

My bad. I put in cart the 2-gauge one but have not bought it yet. My apologies, it does sound like I have bought it already!!

To answer your question: I googled it, many advice to get welding cables and attaching the connections, etc. I am not happy to do it. ALso, the most important reason to ask in this forum was: not sure of correct AMP ratings to get, which drives the gauge size of the wires.
 
Just Back In...

"F Dew" posted in part...

Get them at least as long as your car in case the closest you can get is behind it.

The above post/comment is why I always BACK into parking spots, driveways and other places. My father taught me to do this many a year ago. If I can't back into a spot then I don't park there. I've been to places that have a sign stating "NO Backing Into Parking Spot" so I parked across the street. Had to walk a additional 30 feet or so.

It's a lot easier to jumper a battery if the front end of the vehicle (where the battery is located), is facing out into the open, than having to run 25-30 feet of jumper cable because you pulled into the parking spot. Also, insurance statistics show there are more accidents and people (little kids) being run over by drivers
BACKING out of places, after having parked the vehicle... than drivers pulling out of those same identical parking spots under similar circumstances.

CX5T Lover
 
"F Dew" posted in part...



The above post/comment is why I always BACK into parking spots, driveways and other places. My father taught me to do this many a year ago. If I can't back into a spot then I don't park there. I've been to places that have a sign stating "NO Backing Into Parking Spot" so I parked across the street. Had to walk a additional 30 feet or so.

It's a lot easier to jumper a battery if the front end of the vehicle (where the battery is located), is facing out into the open, than having to run 25-30 feet of jumper cable because you pulled into the parking spot. Also, insurance statistics show there are more accidents and people (little kids) being run over by drivers
BACKING out of places, after having parked the vehicle... than drivers pulling out of those same identical parking spots under similar circumstances.

CX5T Lover
But now you have a CX-5 which has rear alert system. So you can back out. And others will tell you shortly, Mazda engineering, engineers are SO GREAT you need not worry about your battery suddenly failing. There'll be an audible alert, followed by the futuristic SkyActiv engine telling you thru subtle changes in throttle response followed by transmission changing its shifting pattern that your battery is about to die.
 
Highly recommend a portable jumpstarter such ashttps://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned). You don't have to find someone else to jumpstart your car, and it doesn't matter what position your car is in. It keeps its charge at least 6 months. And it is capable of jumpstarting a car multiple times.

This past weekend I used one (a different brand) to jumpstart a fellow's car in a parking lot. Worked with no problem. And the jumpstarter had a full charge even though I hadn't charged it in at least 3-4 months. Only caveat is that you should detach it from the battery within 30 seconds or so of the car starting.
 
And others will tell you shortly, Mazda engineering, engineers are SO GREAT you need not worry about your battery suddenly failing. There'll be an audible alert, followed by the futuristic SkyActiv engine telling you thru subtle changes in throttle response followed by transmission changing its shifting pattern that your battery is about to die.

That's not accurate. The CX-5 does not have any system to appraise the owner that the battery is about to fail.

I know your comment was said in jest but it's not clear what your point was. While it's true that forum members often explain the positive engineering and design of the CX-5, I don't recall anyone ever describing systems that didn't exist. If anything, the trolls spread negative information that is not factual, not positive information that is not factual. Things like the Mazda AWD doesn't drive all 4 wheels or that Mazda will void your warranty if you install a class III trailer hitch.
 
Mike, Mike - it was a jest... C'mon man! But on hindsight I should have added the (shady) at the end.....

CX5T Lover - no offense....... it was a jest.
 
Mike - just now saw your final comment - on Mazda voiding the warranty. Yes, I was the OP and the only reason I did it was when I was told by the dealer I specifically called up Mazda Corp customer support # and they also CONFIRMED IT. I, in fact got a call back and the guy explained the reasons:

When you install more than the rated class, i.e. Class-I, we have no way of knowing whether you towed up to 2000 lbs or went beyond. When towing there is a significant load on transmission. The way the system is designed is that it can cause damage to the transmission due to over heating. As we can not confirm our guarantee will not cover it. However, if you're able to prove without reasonable doubt that was not the case we'll honor warranty. These of course, were not the exact words - but you got the meaning.
What I understood after posting as OP is that they (Mazda) will not have legal grounds to deny coverage, but as you'll agree - they do have a point. Oh, and by the way when I asked that the reason I don't want to buy Mazda tow its because its extremely costly. He explained significant design and engineering went into that hitch such that it'll immediately show signs if attempt is made to tow more than 2000 lbs. Not only that, he also explained the part numbers might be same but they differ between what's available here in NA verses Europe. That's why the extra cost.
 

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