Long-Distance Driving Increases During Holidays: "Start with a Self-Check"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Chuseok holiday, which involves a lot of long-distance driving, is approaching. Although the number of people traveling to their hometowns is expected to decrease this year due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), outings using cars during the holiday period are expected to increase as people try to avoid contact with others. As driving time increases, pre-trip vehicle inspections are essential, experts advise.

Neglecting Tire Wear... Can Lead to Major Accidents

Hankook Tire revealed that during the highway safety inspection campaign in August, about 40% (690 out of 1,708) of the tires inspected required maintenance. Among them, 26% were due to over- or under-inflation, which was the most common issue. External damage caused by impacts accounted for 18%, and severe wear accounted for 12%.

Severely worn tires can cause slipping while driving, potentially leading to major accidents. There is a simple way to check tire wear using a 100-won coin. Insert the coin upside down into the tire tread groove; if Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s hat is not visible, the tire is in good condition. If more than half of the hat is visible, the tire needs to be replaced.

Tire air pressure must also be checked. Most vehicles are equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that allows drivers to check pressure via the dashboard. Additionally, some gas stations have self-service devices for adjusting tire pressure, so locating such stations before driving can be more convenient.

Tires undergo a hardening phenomenon called “aging” after a certain period, causing the rubber to harden and wear to worsen. Due to this aging effect, tires older than six years should be replaced even if the wear is not severe. The manufacturing date is indicated on the tire sidewall. A four-digit number shows the production date; for example, “3015” means the tire was produced in the 30th week of 2015.

Basic Engine Oil Check, Also Inspect Coolant and Washer Fluid

The engine is as important as tires when inspecting a vehicle. To check engine oil, turn off the engine and let it cool, then use the dipstick to inspect. If the oil level is between F (Full) and L (Low) marks on the dipstick, it is normal; if below L, oil should be replenished. The recommended engine oil change interval varies depending on the vehicle and driving conditions but is generally around 10,000 km or every 6 months to 1 year.

Checking the coolant, which cools the engine, is also simple and can be done by yourself. First, open the car hood on a flat surface and check the coolant gauge next to the auxiliary tank. If the level is between MAX and MIN, it is normal; if below MIN, coolant should be added.

For washer fluid, open the blue washer fluid filler in the engine compartment and fill it to the indicated level. Since coolant and washer fluid are sold at nearby marts or gas stations, it is advisable to top them up before embarking on a long-distance drive.

Long-Distance Driving with Frequent Electronic Device Use, Battery Check is Essential

When embarking on long-distance trips, many electronic devices such as cameras and smartphones need charging, and the vehicle’s own power consumption from devices like black boxes and navigation systems also increases. Especially as temperatures drop, batteries discharge faster, making pre-trip checks essential.

The best method is to use a battery voltage tester to ensure the voltage is within the 13?14V range. If a tester is not available, checking the battery’s status indicator is another option. A green indicator means the battery is normal, while white indicates it needs replacement.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.