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A Guide on Essentials of a Long Drive

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within Route / Travel Queries, part of the Street and Travel
Experiences category; Hi guys, i have been on quite a few
londrives with my family & I Think there are certain Do's ...

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12th January 2005, 13:27 #1

Technocrat A Guide on Essentials of a Long Drive

Team-BHP Support
Hi guys, i have been on quite a few londrives with my family & I Think
there are certain Do's & Dont's which I believe are necessary before, while
& after a long drive. Here's an excerpt from my experience on such drives
which I hope, will give a first timer an idea about how to prepare for a
long drive. This article is generic in nature & some points of it may or may
not be applicable.

Preparations Before The Journey

Join Date: Feb 2004 -------------------------------------
Location: C arteret, NJ
Posts: 13,351 1) Vehicle Check up:I will skip the regular check tyre pressure, engine
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tune up, electricals check up stuff which all of us know.

2) Get a good Map: There are various maps & map books available, ideally
get map book which will have all the states map which can be used for all
of your future journeys & a big map of the state to\thru which you will be
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going\passing. the map books give you quick reference & an approx
distance while the detailed big map will give you more details & almost
accurate distances between various destinations. If possible mark your
way i.e. the one which you have decided to go with a marker for easy
reading while traveling. they sometime also have location of fuel pumps &
eat out places (state tourism restaurants) which again can be marked.
One such good map books is by 'ttk'

3) Schedule your journey: Yeah using the map schedule your days of
journey how much you would be traveling in a day & where will you be
putting at nights. You must schedule it in such a manner that you always
reach a place where you can lodge (preferably a city) before your
sleeping time i.e. avoid being mid way at nights you must be near towns
at night.

What Stuff To Carry?

-------------------------

1) A long nylon rope: It will be needed for toeing your or sum1 else's
vehicle in case of a brake down, or even for tying any extra baggage you
might have acquired during the journey. You must have approx. 20 feet of
nylon rope so that it can be doubled for more strength.

2) A pack of engine oil & coolant: These two are the most probable
components which you may run out of in a journey or you may not found
the one you use regularly

4) Additional tyre tube: In case of puncture in an area where you may

find a puncture wallah who doesn't have proper sealant for repairing the
puncture or if you are in hurry.

5) An air pressure gauge & if possible a foot air pump:again very important
for obvious reasons

6) Extra toolkit i.e. the one besides the standard ones: The basic toolkit
in cars do not suffice for various problems which crop out from nowhere
during a long journey. Also it will be good if you carry small pieces of cloth
for washing the vehicle etc. they can also be used to damp the vibration
caused by various tools kept in the boot.

7) Some Turmeric powder pouches:Now most of you must be thinking

"carrying Turmeric & chilli powder pouches this is ridiculous, is he mad"
Now hold your horses & let me explain in case of an accident where you
radiator breaks or develops a leakage put some turmeric powder in the
radiator it will act as a sealant. remember its only for cracks & not on
breakdown of the radiator

8) A rod steering lock:May or may not be required but gives an additional

protection since your number plates invites thieves (they tell the people
you are not a localite)

9) Music: Try to have cds\ cassettes of those songs which do not induce
you to sleep & which keep you active. Try not blasting music in areas
where you will be putting up coz this way you will tell the thieves you
have got something of their interest

10) Duplicate Keys: Always carry these & dont keep it in suitcases or in
bags which are kept in the car while you leave it for snacks etc, it should
be with sum one other than the driver just case the driver forgets the
keys inside the vehicle.

11) Mobile phone with roaming facility: Helpful in contacting any one in
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case of distress

12) Some Weapons of small destruction: this is again very important if

you are covering a patch which is dacoit prone ( yes there are some
patches like these in states like MP & UP wherein you have to move in
convoys at night under police protection) so the thing which u should
carry along with you could be

- Small chilli powder pouches to throw in attackers eyes or some chilli

spray etc
- a lathi or preferably an iron rod ( not big just a feet or two long with a
bent sharp edge)
- a gun only if you have a license

Remember all of this must be reachable at the time of an emergency I

mean rod in the boot wont be of any help, keep it preferably in the gloves
compartment & the rods by your seat's side i.e. between the door & your
seat.

Tip: In case you are in a convoy at night try to drive between two trucks
& that too which are together ( check there no plates & overall looks,
most of the time you will find trucks from same transport company going
together). The reason being they will be together & will be riding at
constant speed & will help in hiding you from a direct view also the
dacoits very rarely loot the trucks ( nothing for them) & the truck dont
stop come what may. & once you feel that youre out of the danger zone
you can just overtake the front truck & zoom ahead

On The Road
---------------

1) Follow the signs:Very important especially in case of road diversions.

2) Driving at Nights: As said try driving at night only on the roads known
to you( by that I mean where you have been before). Driving at night has
its own advantages & disadvantages here they are

Advantages

- Engine at its best less heating hence can be revved more so less time
more distance
- Minimum number of two wheelers & bullock karts, again less time more
distance
- Good signaling with headlights without honking, you know whose coming
& whos behind you

Disadvantages

- Most dreaded you may fall asleep

- May miss important road signs & end up at an altogether different
location
- May hit pedestrians or vehicles which do not have proper indicators or
reflectors
- Very dangerous in dacoit prone zones

So decide accordingly

3) Clean all the mirrors & glasses regularly: try to make it a point of
washing all the mirrors(rear view) & the front & rear windshields every
time you halt & especially before it gets dark.

Washing tips: Always dry the glasses after washing by a paper &
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preferably a news paper as the print ink acts as polish for the glass &
they dont leave water marks like cloths.

4) Take proper halts: Its necessary to give both the vehicle & your self
regular break, youre not on a racing circuit so enjoy the scenery on the
way & make your trip more memorable

5) Keep checking the fuel level:Very important check fuel level & refuel it
as & when possible unlike in city where you fill up at 'E' mark, also keep
asking people how long is the next fuel station.

6) Use proper signaling:The signaling on the highways is in way or the

other different than that in city.

Some of the signaling techniques used on highway

a) Most of the bus\truck drivers who are going at constant speeds keep
their right indicator blinking, this means that the person from behind may
not need to honk & can simply overtake that bus\truck

b) Never overtake any vehicle without getting a clear signal from him the
signal could be either a right go ahead signal or a right indicator, he may
also ask you not to overtake & that could be due to various reasons such
as an oncoming vehicle, he might himself be trying to overtake a vehicle
in front of it

c) After overtaking try to give a left indicator if you are going back to the
left most lane this is necessary specially in those cases where your
overtaking a vehicle & the oncoming vehicle is nearing you fast.

d) an exemption to point b could be that sometimes when you can see

that there is no oncoming traffic & the vehicle in front of you is not giving
you any pass signal to go ahead, you can safely overtake it as he may
not be giving signal due to no oncoming traffic

e) Use headlight pass switch for overtaking & also for stopping or slowing
an oncoming vehicle which is overtaking & you feel is coming direct
towards you

f)Use proper high or low beam while driving

g) You may keep your headlights on in daytime if you are on a road where
you have to overtake frequently

h) Do not honk unnecessarily if the vehicle in front of you gets pissed

then he may not let you overtake

7) Maintain a trip log: Again good for cherishing the memories & very
helpful for future journeys & can be used as reference by you as well as
others, the thing that can be recorded are
- Fueling at respective odo readings ( will help in finding cost per Km or
mileage)
- Places to eat, refuel & watch out for beautiful sceneries
- Road condition on different patches
- No of national highways covered i.e. NH-17, etc
- Time taken between various destinations & for the whole journey

----------------------------------------------------------------------
---------

I hope this serves the purpose, please feel free to add your own
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suggestions & I will also update it as & when I remember any more points.

Techno

Last edited by adya33 : 28th June 2006 at 01:28.

(24) Thanks

13th January 2005, 02:09 #2

X-Machine
Senior - BHPian
Dude techno,this is amazing.
Did u actually sit down and write this on your own!!!!
I guess im gonna get a photocopy of this write-up and keep it in my
car.Worth every penny!
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Location: Mumbai/Tokyo X
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13th January 2005, 10:34 #3

Technocrat
Team-BHP Support
Thx & Yes, i have written the entire thing based on my experience

Join Date: Feb 2004

Location: C arteret, NJ
Posts: 13,351
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13th January 2005, 11:39 #4

raihan
BHPian
hey thats one helluva exp. so did u carry guns, rods etc.. & get a chance
Join Date: Nov 2004 to use any of these??
Location: C A/bangalore excellent write up.
Posts: 168 cheers,
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Raihan

13th January 2005, 12:03 #5

Rudra Sen
Team-BHP Support
Very well written and worth keeping a copy. Fantastic effort pal.

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Except for 'Small chilli powder pouches to throw in attackers eyes or
some chilli spray etc'...not too sure about it

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Location: Bangalore
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13th January 2005, 12:06 #6

Technocrat
Team-BHP Support
LOL, Guns no but Rods yes !!No never got the chance to use them(thank
god).. Actually there's a certain patch on the way from MP to maharastra
which is decoit prone & u still have to wait & go in convoys which are
escorted by a Police jeep at nights.

Actually I did some of the journeys ina premier padmini 77 model, so our
car wasn't a fast one to run awya in emergency & hence the precautions

Last edited by Technocrat : 13th January 2005 at 12:09.

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13th January 2005, 12:35 #7

DRC
BHPian
Thats an excellent write up.Looks like we have an expert hand in midway
handling..
any one has any write up or help on how to handle mid-way break down,
probable causes and quick remedies??

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13th January 2005, 13:27 #8

GTO
Team-BHP Support
Superb Stuff, Technocrat. And thanks a load for sharing these with all of
us.

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I'd just like to add:

1. Take a great camera (preferably digital) with you for a good road trip.
2. Chargers for the camera and phone. Many people forget this.

Join Date: Feb 2004 Moved to "Collection of Best Threads"

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13th January 2005, 15:15 #9

webjunk
Newbie
Thanks Techno. You saved me the time. I fully agree with the 1 foot
rod. [I keep the gurkha lathi with handle and a leather hook. Slim and
effective.] You can get info with any security guys.

Just my own 2 cents... [er.. paisa..!]

-A Powerful torch [something which will last longer/rechargeble]
-A Pen Torch,
Join Date: Nov 2004 -A Serrated Knife, [The kind with hacksaw like blade/with sharp front
Location: Bangalore, Indi edge] I keep a fiscars which doesnt need sharpening.
Posts: 24 -A pen/pencil set [ one in pocket and one in pen holder stuck somewhere
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inside the car.]
-A good/expensive key ring. [usually you wont forget it in wayside dhaba
then. ]
-A yellow transparent plastic sheet and gum tape. [If you dont have fog
lights and it starts raining, this will help. You just stick to headlight and
drive] [my rally experience. It saved me really.]
-A Unviersal Plug Adapter [to charge batteries]
- If you're a biker, a good/brand new visor. [never go on a trip without
one.]

Other optional things....

-Sunglasses
-Sunscreen lotion
-Medical & first-aid kit
-Binoculars
-Water Bottle

I know most of these items look obvious. But without checklist we always
forget at least some of them.

BTW, your car body cover can act as a tent in emergency camping.

(5) Thanks

13th January 2005, 15:45 #10

Technocrat
Team-BHP Support
good points webjunk, thx for adding

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Join Date: Feb 2004

Location: C arteret, NJ
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13th January 2005, 19:23 #11

speedsatya
Senior - BHPian
hey tecnocrat,
that is superrrrrrrrrrrbbbb.
but i think u did forget a very important tool.
i think a pair of jumper cables is very important as it can help u in
jumpstarting ur car in case of a battery breakdown.
also spare fuses and spare head-light bulbs .
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(1) Thanks

13th January 2005, 19:29 #12

shravan316
Senior - BHPian
Awesome write up Techno! and great tips added guys, this is something
i'll definately carry around...

Last edited by shravan316 : 13th January 2005 at 19:32.

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13th January 2005, 19:36 #13

Technocrat
Team-BHP Support
Hey SS, thx for the inputs i know its not perfect but still i hv added as
much as i cud so keep pouring what all u can think ,

Keepin extra fuses & bulbs is fine, but the likelyhood ofa battery
breakdown is less coz u must have examined ur battery before the
journey, also on such long runs the battery gets sufficiently charged
(unless ur driving in night most of the time).

& the probabilty of breakdown is present for almost all the parts, i hv just
Join Date: Feb 2004 mentined the bare minimum which people tend to skip
Location: C arteret, NJ

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Posts: 13,351 In one of our journeys our car halted after a fuel filling session, the
Thanked: 1,225 Times reason: since we filled the petrol till brim, a vaccume was created & the
fuel pump was unable to suck fuel. Got it cleared using a footpump

13th January 2005, 19:48 #14

speedsatya
Senior - BHPian
Quote:

Originally Posted by Technocrat

In one of our journeys our car halted after a fuel filling session,
the reason: since we filled the petrol till brim, a vaccume was
created & the fuel pump was unable to suck fuel. Got it cleared
Join Date: May 2004 using a footpump
Location: bangalore/manga
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View My Garage can u plsss explain his footpump funda

13th January 2005, 19:55 #15

Technocrat
Team-BHP Support
yeah here it goes,

We disconnected the fuel pump's inlet pipe( it was premier padmini),

opened the petrol kcap of the tank & then pumped in some air thru the
inlet pipe which cleard the vaccume created & as soon as the fuel flow
started we connected it back to the pump it sure wasn't this easy but
we managed it.

Join Date: Feb 2004

Location: C arteret, NJ
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