Is Your Car Winter-Ready? Prep Your Nissan for Cold, Snowy Weather

February 18, 2022

Snow, mud, and ice can drastically change driving conditions, and road salt can wreak havoc on your vehicle. You want to make sure your Nissan is ready to handle these potentially hazardous winter conditions. From snow tires to a protective layer of wax, here's how you can prepare your Nissan for winter.

Inspect Your Tires and Decide if You Need Winter Tires

A tire inspection is going to be one of the most crucial parts of your winter car check. Your tires are what give your car traction, making them even more important in icy or slick conditions. At the minimum, you should have your tires rotated and balanced before winter hits. You also want to check the tread depth and tire pressure. If your tread is too low, your tires won't be able to get a good grip on the road, especially in inclement weather. Low tire pressure can also negatively impact how your car handles.

Depending on what a normal winter looks like in your area, you might want to consider getting winter tires. Winter tires can give your car better traction in the snow and help with starting, stopping, and controlling your Nissan when the roads are wet and slushy. If you live somewhere that experiences heavy snowfall, you might even encounter certain highways that require the use of snow tires or chains.

When should you put winter tires on? It's usually recommended you make the switch when the temperature regularly reaches below 45 degrees. The tread of your normal or summer tires will become less flexible around this time.

Install New Windshield Wipers

Changing your wiper blades is another great way to prep for winter. With rain and snow being likely during the cold months, you want your windshield wipers to be in good condition to give you a clear view of the road. If snow is common in your area, consider swapping out your regular wiper blades for a set of winter windshield wiper blades. Winter blades are specially designed to better handle snow, ice, and freezing temperatures.

Test Your Car Battery

Dead batteries are not uncommon in the winter. While there are ways to help stop your battery from dying in cold weather, one of the best things you can do is be proactive by inspecting your battery before the cold weather hits. A fully charged battery is less likely to be killed by cold temperatures, so you should test the charge and get a replacement if needed. You'll also want to check the terminals for corrosion and make sure the cable is in good shape.

Check Your Lights

Your vehicle's lights are always important, but they play an even bigger role during the winter thanks to shorter daylight hours and decreased visibility from storms. Turn your Nissan on and test your lights, including your head, tail, and brake lights. It's a good idea to make sure your high-beams are working well, too.

Protect Your Nissan from the Elements

You take pride in how your Nissan looks. Not only can mud, dirty snow, and road salt mess with the appearance of your car's exterior, but they can also cause some damage. If you want to help protect your vehicle from road salt damage, wax your Nissan right before winter starts. A good coat of wax can help prevent damage from road salt, dirt, and debris.

Once you have the outside of your Nissan prepped for winter, it's time to start thinking about the inside. You and your passengers can easily track in snow and mud. Make cleaning your Nissan a bit easier by adding a set of floor mats. All-season floor mats can help protect the carpeting in your Nissan from winter dirt and grime. Plus, you can keep them in your vehicle year-round to help protect against beach sand in the summer, wet leaves in the fall, and whatever else you might track in.

Stash an Emergency Kit in the Trunk

Snowy, icy road conditions mean you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Keep a good supply of essential winter accessories tucked under your seats or in the trunk. You'll want to have things like an emergency road kit, first aid kit, jumper cables, sand or kitty litter (for traction), a warm blanket, snacks, and bottles of water on hand in case you end up stranded or turned around in bad weather.

Get Your Vehicle Winter-Ready With Genuine Nissan Parts

Ready to give your Nissan a winter upgrade? From winter windshield wipers to all-season floor mats, find the OEM-made components and accessories you need online at Nissan Parts & Accessories.