Your Complete Spring Maintenance Checklist for Your INFINITI

June 3, 2021

Spring has sprung! Now that winter is over, its time to give your INFINITI a little bit of TLC. Spring is the perfect time to give your INFINITI a fresh look and ensure its in tip-top shape with upgraded parts and accessories.

Before you hit the road for spring road trips, check out this complete spring car maintenance checklist to help you de-winterize your INFINITI and prepare for warm weather fun on the open road.

Spring Car Maintenance Under the Hood

Change your oil.

Motor oil flows slower in cold temperatures than warm ones. When you winterized your INFINITI a few months ago, you likely added a winter-specific motor oil blend to help keep your engine adequately lubricated throughout winter. Now, its time to switch to a formula that works for spring. Consult your owners manual for recommended oil types, and head to an INFINITI service center for your oil change service as soon as temperatures are consistently warm in your area.

Check your fluid levels.

Spring is the perfect time to check out your engines coolant level and top it off as needed. You'll also want to check your brake fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield wiper fluid levels.

For many drivers, windshield wiper fluid tends to drain faster in the winter since you're using it more often to wash off road salt residue and other grime. Plus, windshield wiper fluid can freeze during winter, which can affect its ability to clean. If you know your wiper fluid has frozen at least once, you're better off draining the old fluid out and replacing it entirely.

Inspect engine components and connections.

Cold temperatures combined with dry air can take a toll on the plastic and rubber components under the hood, like brake and coolant lines, timing belts, and more. Inspect any engine connections (electrical, fluid, and otherwise) carefully for cracks, leaks, or signs of wear. Replace any components that have become brittle or damaged with genuine INFINITI Parts before you hit the road for any spring road trips.

Check your battery level.

Its a good idea to have your battery tested as winter gives way to spring. Cold temperatures may drain your battery more than usual, and you certainly don't want to be stranded with a dead battery this spring. Head to a nearby INFINITI service location for a quick and easy battery test.

Replace your air filters.

Now is as good a time as any to check your engine air filter and cabin air filter. Depending on your winter driving habits, you may need to replace one or both of these filters. Spring means allergy season, so keep your passengers comfortable with a cabin air filter that prevents excess pollen and allergens from getting inside.

After-Winter Car Maintenance for the Body and Exterior

Your INFINITIs exterior takes the brunt of road salt, snow and ice, and harsh cold temperatures during winter. Prevent permanent damage to your exterior with these proactive spring car maintenance tips for the outside of your vehicle.

Give the exterior a deep clean and a fresh coat of wax.

After winter, you want to erase every residue of road salt from your vehicle-- particularly in the undercarriage. Head to the car wash, or give your INFINITI a thorough scrub down at home. Pay special attention to alloy wheels and any metal parts of the body, as these will be susceptible to rust if any road salt residue remains.

As you clean, inspect the exterior for any paint chips, visible scuffs, or scratches. Once you've repaired any paint chips (see the next tip), apply a fresh coat of wax to repel moisture from spring showers.

Repair exterior paint chips and scratches.

Chunks of road salt or gravel can chip your paint job in a split second, and salty moisture plus exposed metal spells disaster in the long run. As you deep clean the exterior, be sure to check carefully for any spots with damaged paint, and seal them with exterior touch-up paint ASAP to help prevent rust from forming and keep your INFINITI looking fresh this spring.

Replace your wiper blades.

Snow and ice wreak havoc on windshield wipers, and salt residue may break them down, too. Be sure you're ready for spring downpours with new windshield wiper blades. When you replace your wiper blades, inspect your windshield wipers for any bending or warping.

If your wiper blades move slowly (or not at all), the effort of pushing snow and ice around may have damaged your wiper blade motor. In those instances, you'll need to have the motor replaced ASAP.

Inspect your tires (and swap them out, if applicable).

Winter tires are meant for, well, winter. If you installed winter tires or snow tires on your INFINITI for the winter months, now is the time to put your all-season tires back on and have them aligned and inspected.

Even if you didn't swap out your tires this winter, inspect your tires (including the spare) thoroughly and check for proper tire pressure (consult your owners manual to find your INFINITIs recommended tire pressure). Its a good idea to have a pro check your tire alignment, too - potholes are all too common in winter and can affect your tire alignment and suspension system.

Spring Car Maintenance Tips for an Incredible Interior

Deep clean your INFINITIs interior.

The interior of your INFINITI may not be exposed directly to the elements like the exterior, but that doesn't mean that winter months cant take a toll on it too!

Vacuum your interior to remove any dirt, dust, road salt, or debris that's been tracked into your vehicle. Use a simple soap and water solution to clean your seats, center console, and other hard surfaces (do not use this solution on or near any electrical components or screens). Clean the inside of your windshields (both front and rear) and all windows with window cleaner.

Clean or replace floor mats.

Snow and ice can stick to your shoes each time you get into your INFINITI. When you think about how often you get in your car, that can equal a lot of moisture buildup - and there's little sun or heat to dry it out during winter.

Do your car floor mats a favor: remove them entirely for a thorough scrubbing with soap and water, then hang them to dry completely. If your floor mats have seen better days, upgrade to all-season floor mats so your INFINITI can stand up to mud, moisture, and grime on your next outdoor adventure.

Update your tech.

Before you hit the road for a spring road trip, ensure you're ready to charge devices on the go and find the best route to your destination. Take your INFINITI to a nearby dealer or service center to download and install updated maps for your navigation system, have your charging ports inspected, and upgrade your tech accessories to maximize your enjoyment of your INFINITI this spring.

Organize your emergency supplies and cargo area.

Spring cleaning isn't just a way to help your INFINITI feel fresh - its a way to prepare for roadway incidents and emergencies too. Be sure your INFINITI is equipped with an emergency kit, and replenish your kit if you've lost or damaged any part of it this winter. If you have INFINITI roadside assistance, its best to have the number handy in case of an emergency.

Inspect your tire jack and spare installation tools, and be sure to stash a few bottles of water or snacks in the cargo area in case of an emergency. Keep things tidy all summer long with an INFINITI cargo organizer and trunk protector.

Trust INFINITI Genuine Parts for Your Spring Car Maintenance Needs

When it comes to taking care of your INFINITI, no one understands the importance more than INFINITI Parts! From new wiper blades to help with exterior paint chips, trust genuine INFINITI Parts and Service for top-quality OEM parts that'll have your INFINITI feeling fresh and ready for spring in no time.