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Question

Can a car jump a truck?

Most cars use a 12-volt electrical system. If both vehicles use the same voltage, your car can jump-start a truck.

Some trucks have larger batteries that have a 24-volt system. In that case, the smaller car battery might not have enough power to jump-start the truck effectively.

Despite having the same voltage, jump-starting a large vehicle with a small car can be risky. Batteries have a ‘cold cranking amps’ (CCA) rating, indicating their current output in cold weather. Larger vehicles like buses, trucks, and semi-trucks may need around 1,000 CCAs, while small cars typically require 250-600 CCAs.

Overloading a smaller battery can cause a significant voltage drop, potentially damaging it. Furthermore, if the jumper cables aren’t designed for high amperage, they might overheat, melt, or even catch fire.

Javier Silvestre

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