Stress Less

The problem with a dead battery in your car is that it’s never convenient. You’re not like, “You know, I got a few hours free, so maybe I should go turn my car on just to make sure it starts. That way, if there’s some issue, I can deal with it now, when my time is ample and I’ve got nothing else to think about.”

No, you’re starting your car because you either want to go somewhere or have somewhere to be. And so when you turn the ignition and you’re greeted with nothing except the sound of an engine trying and failing to come to life, a million thoughts flood your mind at once: everything from “Who do I have to text about being late?” to “Who can I call to come jump me?” to “Why does this have to happen TODAY?” (As if there are days when a dead car battery isn’t a huge nightmare.)

If you’re lucky, your neighbor or your spouse or your roommate is around. And they’ve got a car. And you’ve got cables. And also your car is positioned in such a way as to allow for an easy connection. And also one or both of you know what you’re doing. On the other hand, you can call your insurance, who will send someone within no fewer than two hours (which, to be fair, is understandable; they’re not just going to have operatives circling your block in case you need help).

And the person your insurance sends? They’ll show up in a normal car with something like this thing: a portable jump starter that you could just buy for yourself.

With 800 amps at peak current, it can jumpstart 12V cars, SUVs, trucks, and vans up to 30 times on a full charge. Plus you can turn it off so that it’ll hold its charge when it’s not being used. (Just remember to turn it back on again before you plug it in; if the battery isn’t on, it won’t charge.)

In other words, if you’ve got one of these, that text about being late will say, “Hey, gotta jump my car, so I’ll be a minute,” rather than, “I’m sorry, Jillian. If this is it–if I never return to the office, if I sit here in this dead car in my driveway evermore–know that I always appreciated you, and that I’ll never stop cursing these harsh midwestern winters for the stake they’ve driven between us.”

Okay, maybe we’re being a bit dramatic. But the point stands: what might’ve been a huge headache will be a minor headache with one of these. So get it, and enjoy a little less auto-related stress in your life.