As temperatures drop and holiday travel ramps up, Infiniti is sharing expert guidance to help drivers prepare their vehicles for winter. So we thought we’d share these pearls of wisdom for our Carlist readers.
From checking tires and fluids to leveraging advanced driver-assist and visibility systems, these recommendations combine universal cold-weather best practices with the intelligent technologies and safety features engineered into every Infiniti.
“While cold weather can put extra stress on a vehicle, a few simple checks ahead of peak winter are essential for your car to perform at the confidence-inspiring level it was engineered,” said James Mastronardi, senior manager, Vehicle Performance Development. “Whether drivers are navigating morning frost, icy highways or prepping for long-distance holiday trips, our engineering teams have designed features that support easier, safer and more confident and comfortable winter driving.”
Infiniti engineers evaluate vehicles through climate-controlled testing facilities, low-friction surfaces and high-altitude winter routes while also validating systems such as intelligent “Snow Mode,” all-wheel-drive technology and advanced climate control components – all of which work together to help provide confidence-inspiring performance in even adverse cold weather conditions. Independent automotive assessments, including AAA battery-capacity data and tire-industry winter guidelines, reinforce the importance of proper preparation before temperatures fall.
To help drivers brush up on their pre-winter weather road safety checklist, Infiniti also consulted Scott Hallner, senior manager, Durability and Reliability Testing, who added: “Our winter testing is performed in extreme conditions in the U.S. and Canada, including sub-zero temperatures, icy surfaces and heavy snow. This rigorous testing and quality control ensures vehicles can perform predictably when traction, visibility and cabin comfort matter most.”
How do I prepare my tires for winter driving?
Cold weather causes tires to lose pressure – around one PSI for every 10-degree temperature drop – which can reduce traction, handling and stopping power.
Before winter hits:
- Check your tire pressure regularly and refill as needed to maintain proper inflation all season long. Adding air with standard Infiniti Tire Fill Assistant is as easy as placing your vehicle in Park with the ignition ON and adding air. When the correct pressure is reached, the Easy-Fill Tire Alert system beeps the horn and flashes the hazard indicators three times. No gauge needed.
- Inspect tread depth using a quarter or inspecting the tire’s built-in wear bars. If the tread only reaches the top of Washington’s head on a quarter or at the same height as the wear bar, it’s time to start planning for new tires. When the tread reaches the wear bars or measures just 2/32 of an inch, the tires should be replaced right away for safety.
- Consider winter tires or tire chains for better grip if you often drive in snowy or icy conditions. Check your vehicle owner’s manual to ensure you are using the correct chains.
- If you are a low mileage driver and live in a cold weather region that changes to winter blend gasoline after Sept. 15, ensure you have a full tank of winter blend. Winter blend gasoline has a higher vapor pressure to ensure easy engine starting during the cold winter months.
Most new vehicles nowadays support this by pairing available Snow Mode with tire-pressure monitoring, helping drivers maintain consistent traction as temperatures fluctuate.
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And finally—what should be in my winter emergency travel kit? Keeping a winter emergency kit in your vehicle can help keep you safe if you become stranded in cold weather.
Consider including:
- Jumper cables
- Ice scraper
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Road flares
- Blanket
- Warm clothing
- Phone charger
- Bottled water and non-perishable snacks