INFINITI engineers share winter driving tips for safety, comfort and confidence

As temperatures drop and holiday travel ramps up, INFINITI is sharing expert guidance to help drivers prepare their vehicles for winter. 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 – delivering quality, reliability and safety all season long.

“While cold weather can put extra stress on a vehicle, a few simple checks ahead of peak winter are essential for your INFINITI 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.

INFINITI vehicles support this by pairing available Snow Mode with tire-pressure monitoring, helping drivers maintain consistent traction as temperatures fluctuate.

Do I need special wiper blades or washer fluid for winter driving?

Winter visibility requires equipment that can handle snow and ice.

• Replace any wiper blades that streak or show cracking and consider winter wiper blades, which are built to push through ice and heavy snow more effectively.
• Use a winter-grade washer fluid that won’t freeze and helps melt light ice on the windshield. Keeping an extra bottle in your car is also helpful if you drive in snowy or slushy conditions.
• INFINITI models enhance this further with standard smart fluid-level sensors, which alert drivers when levels run low to prevent unexpected visibility issues during severe weather.
• For DIY clients using genuine INFINITI replacement blades, did you know your INFINITI has a convenient wiper service position? To activate, make sure the vehicle is in Park with the ignition ON (or within 60 seconds of turning it OFF), then quickly lift the wiper lever twice within half a second. This feature moves the wipers into a position that makes the blades easy to access—especially helpful for larger SUVs. To deactivate, simply lift the wiper lever to the mist position once and release.

How do I make sure my car battery is ready for winter travel?

Cold weather puts additional load on the starting capability (Cold Cranking Amps) of your vehicle’s battery especially as the battery ages.

To avoid no-start issues in cold temperatures:

• Check for corrosion and, if needed, clean terminals using a baking soda and water mixture to maintain a strong electrical connection.
• Frequent short trips or extended storage in winter can also impact battery performance in cold temperatures. In this case, simply driving the vehicle more frequently over longer trips can provide necessary charging.

INFINITI vehicles are designed for cold starting at sub-zero climates and tested in the field throughout the US and Canada.

Do I need different floor mats for winter?

Winter weather brings mud, water and road salt into vehicles, which can damage carpeting and make floors slippery. Swapping in rubber, all-season floor mats helps protect the interior and simplifies cleanup throughout the season.

Tip: Keeping your interior clean is just as important. INFINITI interiors are designed to handle everyday messes—from sunscreen to salt—but cleaning them promptly helps maintain their look and feel. Use mild soap and water for routine cleaning. For tougher stains, INFINITI vinyl and leather cleaner is available at your retailer, or a comparable generic product works, too.

How can I improve visibility and safety in cold-weather driving conditions?

Good visibility starts with maintenance and preparation. Remember to:

• Ensure that headlights and tail lamps are free and clear of ice and snow before driving.
• Fully defrost and de-ice all windows, mirrors and cameras each time before driving.

INFINITI vehicles help enhance visibility through heated mirrors, LED headlamps and available windshield wiper park, while Intelligent All-Wheel Driveⁱ and Predictive Forward Collision Warningⁱⁱ help support safer driving on icy roads.

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

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