Ownership & Maintenance
Frozen Tundra: How to Prepare Your INFINITI for a Cleveland Winter
Don't let the Lake Effect catch you off guard. Here is how to winterize your luxury ride.
Whether you’re commuting down I-90 or navigating the Shoreway during a whiteout, Cleveland winters are a brutal proving ground for any vehicle. Your INFINITI is engineered for performance, but the combination of sub-zero temperatures and corrosive road salt requires a proactive defense. To ensure your Q50 or QX60 handles the "Land" like a pro, follow this essential winterization checklist.
1. Intelligent AWD: Trust, But Verify
Most modern INFINITIs feature Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, which shifts power from the rear wheels to the front the moment slip is detected. However, the system is only as good as its maintenance. Before the first flakes fall:
- Check the Differential Fluid: Often overlooked, cold temperatures can thicken old, contaminated fluid, sluggishly affecting the AWD engagement.
- Monitor the Dashboard: If the "AWD" warning light stays illuminated after start-up, the system may have disabled itself to protect the drivetrain. Have it scanned by a technician immediately.
- Tire Pressure: For every 10-degree drop in temperature, your tires lose 1-2 PSI. Low pressure can confuse the AWD sensors and decrease traction.
2. Coolant and Anti-Freeze Levels
It sounds counterintuitive, but your engine's "coolant" is what keeps it from freezing in the Dead Mans Curve traffic. INFINITI uses a long-life Blue 50/50 Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant.
Check the reservoir tank (not the radiator cap while hot!) to ensure the level is between the 'MIN' and 'MAX' lines. If the mixture is too diluted with water from summer top-offs, it can freeze, crack your engine block, or destroy your heater core—leaving you with no defrost capabilities when you need them most.
3. The Swap: How to Install Winter Wiper Blades
Standard wipers have exposed metal frameworks that get packed with ice, causing "streaking" that leaves you blind. Winter blades are encased in a protective rubber boot to stay flexible. Here is how to swap them on your INFINITI:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 01. Service Mode | On many INFINITI models, you must move the wipers to "Service Position." Turn the car off and immediately push the wiper stalk up twice within 0.5 seconds to bring the arms to a vertical position. |
| 02. Release | Lift the arm away from the glass. Locate the small tab on the underside of the wiper hook, depress it, and slide the old blade downward toward the hood. |
| 03. Protect | Pro Tip: Never let the bare metal wiper arm snap back against the windshield; it will crack the glass. Place a towel on the windshield while you prep the new blade. |
| 04. Click-In | Slide the new winter blade into the J-hook until you hear a distinct "click." Lower it gently back to the glass. |
The Cleveland Essential: Always swap your washer fluid for a "-40°F de-icer" blend. The standard "summer" blue fluid will freeze solid in the lines during a Lake County blizzard.
Winter in Northeast Ohio is inevitable, but getting stranded doesn't have to be. Take an hour this weekend to check your fluids and blades—your INFINITI (and your peace of mind) will thank you come January.