Jumper cables and auto electrical testers for roadside starts and fault finding. Booster cables are rated in amps and the rating needs to match the engine: 300 amp leads cope with a small petrol hatchback, while 400 to 600 amp heavy-duty leads are what you want for a bakkie, SUV or diesel engine that needs a long crank.

Look at the clamp size and cable length as well as the amp rating. Thicker copper cable carries current with less voltage drop, and longer leads mean you do not have to line two cars up nose to nose in traffic. We also stock TOTAL voltage test pencils and AC voltage detectors for tracing shorts, checking earths and confirming a circuit is dead before you work on it.

Keep a set of leads in the boot along with a torch and gloves, and always connect positive first, negative last, with the negative clamp to a bare engine earth point rather than the battery post. Need help matching leads to your vehicle? Send us your make and model. Nationwide delivery across South Africa.