Q. Earlier this year you wrote about a rechargeable battery-powered jump starter for cars and trucks. I did not get one then, but thought I would look for one before winter hits as that is when I would be most likely to need it. Have you used it much and do you still recommend it?

—T.B., Milwaukee

A. The product I reviewed and recommended is the Wolfbox 3000A Jump Starter with Air Compressor. It has an internal battery that recharges via USB-C and not only is it a self-contained jump starter, it is also an automatic air compressor that can be used to inflate tires as well as almost anything else that needs inflating, from basketballs to air mattresses. To inflate a tire just turn it on, connect it to the valve, set the pressure and start the compressor. It is strong enough to inflate pickup truck tires, and the jump starter supplies enough cranking power to start a 6.0-liter diesel engine. This makes starting a typical four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine found in an SUV or sedan quite easy. A bright light is built in and it has several settings, including a flashing setting, and it works as a power bank to charge phones, tablets and other devices.

Fortunately, I have only needed to use the air compressor function on car tires and in that regard it works exceptionally well. Reviewers who have used the jump starter have given it high praise, saying it does start a large truck engine very easily. If you use it to jump-start a vehicle it is a large drain on the device's battery and you will have to recharge it right away. If you get one, my most important usage tip is to take it out of the car once per month and top off the battery, even if you have not used it, especially in colder months. When charging it, use the most powerful USB-C charger you have, as it takes a lot of power.

The product definitely provides peace of mind in the winter, and during cold months you are likely to at least use the air compressor function to top off your tires when there is a sudden temperature drop. (Ironically, I used it for this purpose the morning after I finished the first draft of this column.) I think this alone makes it worth it for those who live in colder climates, or anyone with an older vehicle that may be more likely to need a jump at some point. And of course, you can always play the hero when you come across someone who needs help! The Wolfbox 3000A Jump Starter with Air Compressor lists for $186.99 and usually sells on Amazon for $119.99. The code WBWINTER26 at checkout saves $30 to make it $89.99. Given my holiday deals focus for the next few weeks it makes a pretty good gift, too.

Q. Are you using the eufy S330 security cam without a subscription? It seems they want you to buy a subscription of at least 1 GB/month for $10 to connect with your carrier's cellphone tower so you can use it with your smartphone. Does this system work well using your own Wi-Fi system for free without subscription?

—B.K., Belmont, California

A. You can use it with your own Wi-Fi and no subscription, and that is what I do. The S330 has dual mode so you can use Wi-fi through your router, or a SIM card through your carrier. The SIM card function is what the $10 subscription is for, so if you are using Wi-Fi the subscription is unnecessary.

———

©2025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC