CAR DRIVE SPECIAL...How to Make Your Car Fit for a Long Weekend Drive

How to Make Your Car Fit for a Long Weekend Drive

The service checks and must-carry tools for that weekend drive

    For some August is the best month of the year as it comes with the maximum number of holidays. The timings of these holidays can’t get any better with most of them clustered around the weekends. You can’t ask for a better time to plan a weekend getaway. If over-priced flights, or unavailability of tickets is an issue, you can always plan a weekend drive to the neighbourhood tourist place or even across to a different state.
“In India, the concept of road trips is still evolving due to poor highways, lack of open roads and traffic. However, certain places which cannot be reached directly by air or trains are accessed by road. Travellers also like to drive to scenic places like the Himalayas or Kerala,” says Rajiv Duggal, managing director, Kuoni India.
In summers, for instance, travellers prefer road trips to Ladakh or the Himalayas; while in winters they explore the exotic deserts of Rajasthan, the beautiful beaches of Goa or the backwaters of Kerala. As compared to air or rail travels, a road trip requires extensive preparation. To begin with, you have to do a series of service checks for your car before starting the journey. “A basic diagnosis of the car is essential irrespective of its age. A new car, for instance, may be in a very good condition when it comes to city driving. But, long-distance driving and speed, for instance, can break the belt of the car and put you through unnecessary hassles,” says Banwari Lal Sharma, associate vice president (marketing) at CarWale.
BASIC DIAGNOSIS
Take your vehicle to an authorised service centre. Request for a general check-up where leakages and damages could be repaired.
Special attention should be paid to hoses, pipes and cables, especially the clutch and the accelerator. Fuel lines should be paid extra attention. Ensure all fluid levels are as recommended by the manufacturer. Ensure the brakes are looked at and any defect is attended to. Ensure that all lights are checked and are in satisfactory working condition as it may compromise the visibility of the driver. Get the wiper blades cleaned and checked, given the monsoon season. Also, check the vehicle horn for satisfactory operation. “Make sure you give the vehicle for a check-up well before you plan to travel, as if left for the last moment, you may be delayed or the job may remain incomplete due to the urgency,” says Banwari Lal Sharma.
TYRE CHECK
Ensure that the tyres are in good condition and would stand the rigors of your trip. “It would be a good idea to have one extra tube placed in your vehicle. This will avoid over-charging and waste of time by road-side mechanics. Ensure the stephanie tyre is inflated to the recommended pressure. Please note that if the vehicle were to be fully loaded, the tyre pressures should be kept slightly higher,” says Rupesh Rele, an auto expert.
Reduce tyre pressure by about 2-3 PSI on highspeed roads, such as the Mumbai-Pune Expressway or the Delhi-Noida Expressway. “High vehicle speeds for long distances result in heating and automatic inflation of the tyres. If the tyres are already over-inflated, the hazard of a tyre burst is a strong possibility,” Rele says.
TOOL CHECK
Ensure that the vehicle body jack is available and is in a working condition. At times the jack spindle catches rust if not used for a long time and would be difficult to operate. (If a situation like this emerges, lubricate the spindle to get the same moving freely). Ensure that the jack handle is available in the vehicle. The wheel spanner would need to be in its place and secured like the jack and handle. If unsecured, it will rattle and make irritating noises. Carry a set of open-end spanners, reversible screwdriver, a pair of pliers and a torch. For spare carry a set of drive belts, hose pipes, electrical wire piece, insulation tape, extra fuses, and coolant. Always carry a first-aid kit for any unfortunate eventuality. Try to keep the kit as comprehensive as possible. “You may not know how to repair the vehicle but if the tools and spares are available it would be easier for a roadside mechanic to help you repair the vehicle. In case you feel that you need professional help, get in touch with the highway users club,” says Rajesh Rele.
DOCUMENT CHECK
Driving licence is a must and most of us carry our licence whenever we drive. Apart from your driving licence, if you are travelling within the state, carry photocopies of the RC book, tax, valid PUC and car insurance. If you are travelling outside the state, it is recommended that you carry the originals as it may be required for seeking the permit. It makes a lot of sense to carry the service manual of your vehicle on long drives. The manual always lists the available authorised service stations for your car.
PLAN THE ROUTE IN ADVANCE
By mapping the route you can have an idea of the fuel stations and service centres — which can be useful in case of any emergency. “You will be surprised at the different possibilities that would be available. Also, you would be in a position to make note of the fuel stations, service centres and rest areas. Your family too would be aware of the route taken by you and in case of an unfortunate incident of a brake-down they would be in a position to help,” Rele adds. Also, several car manufacturers arrange for towing the car to the nearest authorised service station in case of a break-down of the vehicle. “Several car manufacturers offer this feature today for vehicles within the warranty period. If the warranty period of your car expires, you can extend it by paying an annual fee,” says Sharma. The idea is to stay away from road-side mechanics who may indulge into fraudulent practices and overcharge service fees.
vidyalaxmi. ET120817