Hyundai Kona-N 2023 Winter Driving

The Hyundai Kona-N of 2023 is built to confidently and competently handle the demands of winter. AWD technology, specially designed winter tires, and a host of cold-weather features like heated seats and a steering wheel allow the Kona-N to deliver a safe and cozy driving experience in snowy and ice situations. Stability control and anti-lock brakes are examples of advanced safety systems that improve the vehicle’s performance on winter roads. The 2023 Hyundai Kona-N is a dependable option for people looking for both performance and peace of mind during the colder months because it is equipped to manage even the most difficult winter driving conditions, whether negotiating steep inclines or traversing snow-covered landscapes.

2023 Hyundai KONA Specs, Price, Features, Milage (Brochure)

Winter Driving

The severe weather conditions of winter quickly wear out tires and cause other problems. To minimize winter driving problems, you should take the following suggestions:

Snow or Icy Conditions

You need to keep a sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Apply the brakes gently. Speeding, rapid acceleration, sudden brake applications, and sharp turns are potentially very hazardous practices. During deceleration, use the paddle shifter (left side lever) to increase regenerative braking, but avoid adjusting it to level 3 (steering may be difficult). Sudden brake applications on snowy or icy roads may cause skids to occur. To drive your vehicle in deep snow, it may be necessary to use snow tires or to install tire chains on your tires. Always carry emergency equipment. Some of the items you may want to carry include tire chains, tow straps or chains, a flashlight, emergency flares, sand, a shovel, jumper cables, a window scraper, gloves, ground cloth, coveralls, a blanket, etc.

Snow tires
Snow tires should be equivalent in size and type to the vehicle’s standard tires. Otherwise, the safety and handling of your vehicle may be adversely affected. We recommend you use snow tires when road temperature is below 7°C (45°F). Refer to the below chart, and mount the recommended snow tire for your vehicle.

If you mount snow tires on your vehicle, make sure to use radial tires of the same size and load range as the original tires. Mount snow tires on all four wheels to balance your vehicle’s handling in all weather conditions.  The traction provided by snow tires on dry roads may not be as high as your vehicle’s original equipment tires. Check with the tire dealer for maximum speed recommendations.

Information
Do not install studded tires without first checking local and municipal regulations for possible restrictions against their use.

Summer tires

• Summer tires are used to maximize driving performance on dry roads.
• If the temperature is below 44°F (7°C) or you are driving on snowy or icy roads, the summer tires lose their brake performance and traction as the tire grip weakens significantly.
• If the temperature is below 44°F (7°C) or you are driving on snowy or icy roads, mount snow tires or all-season tires of the same size with your vehicle’s standard tire for safe driving. Both snow and all-season tires have M+S markings.
• When using the M+S tires, use tires with the same tread produced by the same manufacturer for safe driving.
• When driving with the M+S tires with a lower maximum allowable speed than that of the vehicle’s standard summer tire, be careful not to exceed the speed allowed for the M+S tires.

Tire chains

Since the sidewalls of radial tires are thinner than other types of tires, they may be damaged by mounting some types of tire chains on them. Therefore, the use of snow tires is recommended instead of tire chains. Do not mount tire chains on vehicles equipped with aluminum wheels; if possible use a wire-type chain. If snow chains must be used, use wire-type chains with a thickness of less than 0.47 inch (12 mm). and install the tire chain after reviewing the instructions provided with the tire chains. Damage to your vehicle caused by improper tire chain use is not covered by your vehicle manufacturer’s warranty.

WARNING
The use of tire chains may adversely affect vehicle handling:

• Drive less than 20 mph (20 km/h) or the chain manufacturer’s recommended speed limit, whichever is lower.
• Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes, sharp turns, and other road hazards, which may cause the vehicle to bounce.
• Avoid sharp turns or locked wheel braking.

Information

• Install tire chains on the front tires. It should be noted that installing tire chains on the tires will provide a greater driving force, but will not prevent side skids.
• Do not install studded tires without first checking local and municipal regulations for possible restrictions against their use.

Chain Installation
When installing tire chains, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and mount them as tightly as possible. Drive slowly (less than 20 mph (30 km/h)) with chains installed. If you hear the chains contacting the body or chassis, stop and tighten them. If they still make contact, slow down until the noise stops. Remove the tire chains as soon as you begin driving on cleared roads. When mounting snow chains, park the vehicle on level ground away from traffic. Turn on the vehicle Hazard Warning Flasher and place a triangular emergency warning device behind the vehicle (if available). Always place the vehicle in P (Park), apply the parking brake, and turn off the vehicle before installing snow chains.

NOTICE
When using tire chains:

• Wrong size chains or improperly  installed chains can damage your vehicle’s brake lines, suspension, body, and wheels.
• Use SAE “S” class or wire chains.
• If you hear noise caused by chains contacting the body, retighten the chain to prevent contact with the vehicle body.
• To prevent body damage, retighten the chains after driving 0.3~0.6 miles (0.5~10 km).
• Do not use tire chains on vehicles equipped with aluminum wheels. If unavoidable, use a wire-type chain.
• Use wire chains less than 0.47 in (12 mm) wide to prevent damage to the chain’s connection.

Winter Precautions

Use high-quality ethylene glycol coolant
Your vehicle is delivered with high-quality ethylene glycol coolant in the cooling system. It is the only type of coolant that should be used because it helps prevent corrosion in the cooling system, lubricates the water pump, and prevents freezing. Be sure to replace or replenish your coolant in accordance with the maintenance schedule in Chapter 9. Before winter, have your coolant tested to ensure that its freezing point is sufficient for the temperatures anticipated during the winter.

Check battery and cables
Winter temperatures affect battery performance. Inspect the battery and cables, as specified in Chapter 9. Have the system checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer or in a service station.

Change to “winter weight” oil if necessary
In some regions during winter, it is recommended to use the “winter weight” oil with lower viscosity. For further information, refer to the chapter 2. When you are not sure about a type of winter-weight oil, consult an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

To prevent locks from freezing
To prevent the locks from being frozen, spray approved de-icing fluid or glycerin into keyholes. When a lock opening is already covered with ice, spray approved de-icing fluid over the ice to remove it. When an internal part of a lock freezes, try to thaw it with a heated key. Carefully use the heated key to avoid an injury.

Use an approved window washer anti-freeze solution in the system
To prevent the window washer from being frozen, add an authorized window washer anti-freeze solution, as specified on the window washer container. Window washer anti-freeze solution is available from an authorized HYUNDAI dealer, and most vehicle accessory outlets. Do not use coolant or other types of anti-freeze solution, to prevent any damage to the vehicle paint.

Do not let your parking brake freeze
Under some conditions, your parking brake can freeze in the engaged position. This is most likely to happen when there is an accumulation of snow or ice around or near the rear brakes or if the brakes are wet. When there is the risk that your parking brake may freeze, temporarily apply it with the shift lever in P (Park). Also, block the rear wheels in advance, so the vehicle may not roll. Then, release the parking brake.

Do not let ice and snow accumulate underneath
Under some conditions, snow and ice can build up under the fenders and interfere with the steering. When driving in such conditions during the severe winter, you should check underneath the vehicle on a regular basis, to ensure that the front wheels and the steering components are unblocked.

Carry emergency equipment
In accordance with weather conditions, you should carry appropriate emergency equipment, while driving. Some of the items you may want to carry include tire chains, tow straps or chains, flashlights, emergency flares, sand, shovel, jumper cables, window scraper, gloves, ground cloth, coveralls, blankets, etc.

Do not place objects or materials in the motor compartment
Putting objects or materials in the motor compartment may cause a vehicle failure or combustion, because they may block the cooling of the parts in the motor compartment. Such damage will not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Drive your vehicle when water vapor condenses and accumulates inside the exhaust pipes
When the vehicle is stopped for a long time in winter while the engine is running, water vapor may condense and accumulate inside the exhaust pipes. Water in the exhaust pipes may cause noise, etc., but it is drained driving at medium to high speed.

FAQ