How many amps does my vehicle really need when I'm looking for a battery jumper?

CCA represents the number of amperes a battery can support for 30 seconds at a temperature of 0°F until the battery voltage drops to unusable levels. It's like the stamina your battery needs, on a very cold day, to get your car revved up and ready. You could accurately say, the higher the CCA, the better your car kicks off on those frosty mornings!

Before we proceed, here's a little table to give you a basic understanding of different CCA ranges and their appropriateness for various vehicle sizes. Remember, it's not set in stone but should give you a good steer. If in doubt - read the figure that should be on your battery!

Diesel engines, by nature, have higher compression ratios compared to their petrol counterparts. This means the battery needs to work that bit harder to kick off the whole combustion process. It's like trying to start a workout after a really big Sunday roast – it’s going to require a bit more effort! 

Due to this high compression, diesel engines require a stronger electrical charge to start. Hence, they often need batteries with higher CCA ratings. We're talking bulky, iron-man style batteries that can easily crank up these diesel giants — especially on those nippy mornings. After all, nobody wants to be left stranded in the cold, do they?