"Oops, Your Car Might Not Start" Winter Car Maintenance Tips

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] As a sudden cold wave arrives, car drivers also need to prepare for winter.

With the help of the Korea Automobile Dealers Association Federation, we looked into basic car maintenance checks and essential winter car care points to keep in mind.

Warming Up the Car

The basic rule for winter driving is to start the engine and warm up the car before setting off.

When inspecting a used car, the basic step is also to start the engine; a well-warmed car is quieter in terms of vibration and noise compared to one that is not, and is recognized as well-maintained.

The warm-up time varies depending on the car model and temperature but generally takes about 1 to 2 minutes. There is no need for prolonged idling. If your car has a remote start function provided by the manufacturer, use it.

Some drivers start the engine and immediately drive while turning on the heater, but at this time, warm air does not come out, and it is like running without warming up in cold weather.

Battery Check

Checking the car battery is also important. In winter, nights are longer and temperatures are lower, leading to increased power consumption due to frequent use of electrical devices such as headlights, heaters, heated seats, and heated steering wheels.

You can check the voltage through the dashboard warning lights or the black box display, and it is normal if it shows around 14 volts while driving, not just at initial startup.

It is also good to check the charging status (green indicates normal) through the battery inspection window or get advice by checking the voltage at a nearby service center. If the replacement cycle of 3 to 4 years or 60,000 km has been reached, consider replacing the battery.

When the temperature is low and the black box is operating, leaving the car parked for a long time can cause battery discharge. Although this can be resolved by emergency service from the insurance company after discharge, repeated discharges shorten the battery’s lifespan.

Antifreeze and Coolant Check

Checking the antifreeze, which plays an important role in preventing freezing, is also crucial.

If you only topped up water due to a lack of coolant in summer, the specific gravity of the antifreeze may have decreased, making it unable to perform its function properly.

When visiting a service center, have the specific gravity of the antifreeze checked, and if it is low, get advice on topping up with concentrated antifreeze or replacing it.

At this time, check the heater hose and radiator hose through which the coolant circulates to see if there are any leaks or if the rubber parts of the hoses have lost elasticity and become hard, and replace them together if necessary.

The typical antifreeze replacement cycle is every 2 years or 40,000 km, but recently released cars can use all-season antifreeze for up to 5 years or 100,000 km, so check the manual or consult the manufacturer.

Tire and Wiper Check

Checking the tire wear condition is also important.

When it snows or rains, the more worn the tires are, the more likely the car is to slip while driving. Nowadays, snow chains are rarely used in urban driving, but for rear-wheel-drive cars, snow tires or all-season tires are recommended.

Many tire specialty shops offer a service to store your existing tires during winter when you replace them with snow tires.

In winter, wiper blades are often damaged by snow and frost on the windshield, which can cause noise during operation and damage to the glass. Like warming up the engine, it is best to warm the windshield as much as possible by turning on the heater or using the windshield heater if available before operating the wipers.

The washer fluid is the same. If the washer fluid freezes and does not operate, it can cause damage to the wiper motor, so be careful.

Basic consumables such as engine oil and other oils deteriorate in viscosity and lubrication performance when used for a long time.

Even if the replacement time is not yet due, it is better to replace them a little earlier, and parts like brake discs and pads can also cause performance degradation, so get them checked and seek expert advice to replace or be aware of the remaining lifespan.

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