Do You Need Winter Tires?
Are winter tires necessary? Whether you need to install winter tires on your INFINITI depends on the wintertime driving conditions where you live.
If you live in an area that experiences mild winters, your INFINITI should do just fine with a set of all-season tires. Just make sure the tread depth of your all-season tires will provide enough traction on icy or slick roads. Tires with less than 1/16th-inch tread depth can cause hydroplaning.
Now, if you live somewhere that gets clobbered by severe winter weather, you should consider substituting the regular tires on your INFINITI for a set of winter tires. Winter tires provide a sturdier tread pattern than regular tires, and their specially engineered rubber grips slick surfaces particularly well. What if you drive a lot in an area with heavy ice and snow? You might want to couple those winter tires with a set of tire chains.
So, when should you put winter tires on? It’s generally recommended you install winter tires (also known as snow tires) in the fall, well ahead of brutal winter weather. In addition, it’s a good idea to inspect your tires at least once a month and ahead of long road trips.
Do You Need Winter Wiper Blades?
The guidelines for winter wiper blades are similar to the guidelines for winter tires. But you might be wondering, “Do I need winter wiper blades?”
If you live in a region where the winters are mild, regular windshield wipers, both front and rear, should serve you well. But if you live somewhere that copes with lots of ice and snow during the winter, you might look at installing heavy-duty winter wiper blades on your INFINITI.
What is a winter wiper blade? Winter wipers are similar to standard wiper blades, but they are designed to stand up to freezing temperatures. Plus, they’re made to clear snow and wipe away freezing rain, which regular wiper blades might struggle with.
So, if you live in an area with a mild winter climate, you should be able to use lighter-weight summer wiper blades all year long.
That’s not the case if you live somewhere that gets hit with rough winter weather. In that situation, you should use winter wiper blades during the winter and summer wiper blades the rest of the year. Summer blades are better equipped than winter blades to clear off raindrops, while winter blades are superior to summer blades when it comes to tackling snow and ice.
Keep in mind that the average lifespan of a wiper blade is six to 12 months.
How to Change Wiper Blades
Before you do anything, you need to buy new wiper blades. Search your cars model and year on the INFINITI Parts & Accessories website to find the right blades.
Once you’ve got the new blades, it’s time to remove the old ones. It’s best to consult your owners manual for the proper instructions. Generally, though, you’ll lift the wiper arm away from the windshield. The wiper arm normally will hook into the wiper blade, which is secured by a release tab. The next step: Release the tab and pull down the blade. Once the blade is freed from the arm, move it so that it’s parallel to the wiper blade. Then, you can pull off the wiper blade.
At this point, you’re ready to take the new wiper blade out of its packaging. Next, install the blade by ensuring it’s parallel to the wiper arm, and then connect the wiper arm to the wiper blade until it clicks into place. Once that’s done, test your new wiper blades to make sure they’re operating correctly.
Don’t wait until a big storm hits to outfit your vehicle with the right winter gear. Shop OEM components online at INFINITI Parts & Accessories today.