When temperatures drop across Queens, NY, cars tend to behave a little differently. Engines take longer to wake up, and drivers start to notice sounds or sluggishness they hadn’t heard back in summer. A common reason for this is often overlooked: your oil. Scheduling an Infiniti oil change during the colder months is more about protection than routine. The type and condition of the oil in your engine can shape how well your car starts, performs, and holds up through a long winter.
Short trips, cold startups, and long periods of idling in traffic can all take a toll. These daily habits, especially in city driving, can stress old oil and reduce its ability to protect engine parts. That’s why staying on schedule with fresh oil in the colder part of the year is so important.
How Cold Weather Affects Engine Oil
Engine oil changes when it’s exposed to freezing temperatures. As soon as the thermometer drops, even high-quality oil gets thicker. This thicker oil moves slower, especially right after you start your vehicle. Until it warms up, it takes longer to coat and protect moving parts inside the engine.
If that oil can’t move fast enough, metal pieces inside the engine may run dry for a few seconds each morning. That short delay adds up over time. Cold oil doesn’t just slow the engine, it also makes it work harder at startup. You may feel this as a louder crank or sluggish response when you press the gas.
In areas like Queens, where cold snaps and icy mornings are common, this thickened oil can make a big difference in how your car runs. The more starts and stops you make, the more you rely on the oil doing its job quickly, even when the temperature isn’t helping.
Older Oil Works Against Winter Performance
When oil gets old or dirty, cold days make the problems worse. Old oil loses its ability to flow smoothly, even on warm days. So during winter, the drop in performance really shows.
- Old oil has fewer additives left to help fight moisture and friction.
- If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving or short trips, like picking up groceries or kids, the oil never gets hot enough to burn off condensation. That leftover moisture joins dirt and slows down your engine even more.
- Over time, all that stress can leave behind buildup or wear out parts you can’t see. It can start with slower starts or strange clicking sounds and grow into bigger repairs if ignored.
If your last oil change was before fall or even further back, winter can push your engine harder than you’d expect.
Why Oil Quality Matters for INFINITI Engines
INFINITI engines are designed to run smoothly, and a lot of that smoothness depends on effective lubrication. The engine parts inside are built with precise space between them, and that space is filled by a thin layer of oil that keeps friction in check.
In winter, the wrong oil thickness or poor-quality products can create problems fast. When oil is too thick in freezing temperatures, it can’t reach tight spots as quickly as needed. That delay can cause unnecessary friction every time you start your car.
We always support using the factory-recommended oil for INFINITI models, especially in winter. These oil types are designed with the engine’s specific needs in mind and hold up better in freezing conditions. The added protection makes cold starts and regular city driving more reliable.
Signs You Might Be Due for an Oil Change
Your car has ways of telling you it’s ready for new oil, especially during the cold months. You just have to know what to watch for. Some of the more common signs include:
- Rough idle when you first start the car in the morning
- Strange knocking, ticking, or tapping sounds coming from the engine
- The oil on your dipstick looks dark, gritty, or sludgy
- An oil light showing up on your dashboard
- You’ve gone more than a couple of months since your last oil change
These signs might feel small on their own, but they can point to bigger trouble if left untreated. Catching them early helps avoid damage and keeps your winter drives smooth.
Caring for Your INFINITI Between Oil Changes
Even between oil change appointments, there’s a lot we can do to help the engine run smoother through winter. Small steps make a difference, especially when added together over weeks of city driving.
- Let your car warm up for 30 seconds to one minute before driving, but avoid long idle times in cold weather.
- Don’t race the engine right after starting. Let it ease into movement.
- Park in a garage or next to buildings when possible to avoid extreme cold exposure.
- Check your oil levels every few weeks when the engine is cool.
- Avoid very short trips that don’t give the engine time to heat up.
These habits help your current oil last longer and maintain the protection your engine needs day after day.
Keep Your INFINITI Running Smooth in the Cold
Winter doesn’t have to mean putting up with slow starts or strange sounds. Fresh oil gives your engine a better chance of staying protected, even when the weather makes driving more demanding. Regular oil changes help prevent problems before they start by keeping the internal parts moving the way they should.
Sticking to a steady maintenance routine helps your INFINITI drive better and last longer, no matter how low the temperature drops in Queens, NY. Whether you’re commuting, running errands, or taking weekend drives, planning ahead keeps things running the way they should all season long.
INFINITI City of Queens offers oil changes using genuine INFINITI oil and filters with factory-trained technicians who inspect for leaks and check engine health with every visit. Our convenient online scheduling makes it easy to book your next service appointment in Bayside or throughout Queens.
Winter temperatures in Queens, NY, can impact your vehicle’s performance, which is why a timely Infiniti oil change is recommended to protect your engine from unnecessary stress. At INFINITI City of Queens, we’re committed to helping you keep your vehicle running smoothly throughout the season. Give us a call to schedule your next service appointment.
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