How to Prepare for Winter Driving

If you've watched the news lately, you've heard about the major winter storm that rolled through several states from Texas to New York. Even if you haven't watched the news, with 100 million people in it's path, there's a good chance you had first-hand experience.

Driving in such conditions is not advisable, but sometimes we have no choice. Whenever you know you will be driving in winter conditions, it is a good idea to make sure your vehicle has plenty of fuel and you have a plan B, in case things don't work. Hundreds of drivers all over the country were stranded in their vehicles for hours on end during this storm and some drivers even had to spend the night in their vehicles. Cell phones can be lifesavers, literally, but a blanket, a first aid kit and other emergency supplies are a good idea as well.

If your battery needs to be jump-started, it is a good idea to fully-charge the battery to at least 12.6 volts, with a battery charger as soon as possible and keep your vehicle running until you are able to properly charge your battery. If your battery was discharged because your charging system has failed, conserve the energy in your battery by not running unnecessary electrical accessories, including the radio and anything that might be plugged into your cigarette lighter. If you need a quality battery charger, OPTIMA offers a great Digital 1200 charger and maintainer that works on all 12-volt lead-acid batteries, including AGM batteries. Enjoy the winter, but be safe!