Even in the COVID-19 Era, If You Are Going Home... Vehicle Inspection Before Driving Is Essential

On the afternoon of the 17th, one day before the Chuseok holiday, vehicles heading home near the Gungnae-dong tollgate in Seoul are moving slowly, as seen from a police helicopter inspecting the homecoming traffic. (Aerial photography cooperation: Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Aviation Unit Sergeant Mun Heung-ju, Inspector Shim Dong-guk) / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The Chuseok holiday involves a lot of long-distance driving. Although the number of people visiting their hometowns is expected to decrease due to the impact of COVID-19, if you must drive long distances, it is essential to check your vehicle.

Before long-distance driving, drivers should inspect tire wear, engine oil, and coolant levels. Severe tire wear can cause slipping while driving and lead to major accidents. Tire wear can be easily checked using a 100-won coin. Insert the 100-won coin upside down into the tire 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.

Tires also experience a 'hardening phenomenon' where the rubber becomes hard and wear worsens after a certain period. Therefore, even if the wear is not severe, tires older than six years should be replaced.

To check engine oil, open the hood and pull out the dipstick. If the oil level is between the F and L marks, it is normal. If it is below L, engine oil needs to be refilled. It is best to do this after parking on a flat surface, turning off the engine, and letting it cool.

Coolant levels can be checked by opening the hood and looking at the coolant gauge next to the auxiliary tank. If the level is between MAX (maximum) and MIN (minimum), it is normal. If it is below MIN, additional coolant should be added.

During long-distance driving, the vehicle’s power consumption increases due to devices like the black box and navigation system. Therefore, battery inspection is also essential. The best way to do this is by using a battery voltage tester. The voltage should be within the range of 13 to 14 volts. If you do not have a tester, you can check the battery’s status indicator. If the indicator is green, the battery is normal; if it is white, replacement is necessary.

Additionally, a fire extinguisher should be kept in the vehicle to prepare for fire emergencies. When driving long distances, the risk of fire increases due to engine overheating or mechanical issues, so having a vehicle fire extinguisher is essential.

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