How to Drive Long Distance: Tips, advice & preparations

Driving down highways is usually a entire lot of enjoyable and may create recollections galore. Be certain that it’s secure as effectively.

With Covid-19 pandemic throwing flight and practice schedules out of substances, many are opting to drive to their subsequent journey vacation spot. And whereas it’s common to hit the closest hill station or the famed seashores close to main metropolitan cities, many locations could also be past just some hours‘ drive away.

A protracted highway journey could also be subjective – a number of hours could also be regular for a lot of however arduous for others. Both means, it’s crucial that one takes under consideration a number of fundamentals earlier than hitting the gasoline and driving off.

There are two completely essential points of hitting the freeway highway – you, the motive force and the automobile itself. Whereas it could appear apparent, it’s nonetheless vital to underline that each the motive force and the automobile have to be in good situation to make sure that the highway journey itself is as a lot enjoyable because it was meant to be.

Listed here are some fast suggestions and checks to make sure that a highway journey is all concerning the sights, sounds and the expertise somewhat than a supply for recollections finest forgotten:

Examine your automobile

• Be certain that the automobile of selection is free from all present and potential hassle factors. If the automobile is due for servicing, now can be one of the best time to ask the pleasant service supervisor to make sure a more in-depth inspection than standard. Issues like engine oil, brake oil and coolant might have a top-up or a change. Get the brake pads intently inspected too and whereas workshops would suggest a change if discovered to be worn out, it’s best to ask as soon as if not changed. Additionally get all lights on the automobile double checked.
• Get the wiper blades checked and, if required, changed. That is essential even when your journey plans aren’t precisely within the wet season since you by no means know what sort of particles or filth resolve to land and keep placed on the windscreen. And whereas at it, prime up the washed fluid as effectively.
• One other non-eureka test is to make sure that tyre stress is at its preferrred degree. That is for the spare wheel as effectively. If the automobile is put in with tubeless tyres, carry a tyre inflator which will be powered by the automobile’s 12V socket. That is an excellent higher choice than to hold a puncture restore equipment as it’s more likely to prevent time in addition to vitality in case of an emergency.
• It’s at all times nice that nobody can be weighing your baggage earlier than you jam it in your automobile. However whereas it could be tempting to hold your total residence on the highway journey – as a result of, effectively why not – make sure that all passengers within the automobile are comfy. Additionally bear in mind, the heavier the load, the extra impression there can be on mileage.
• Gasoline is maybe crucial side of the highway journey and make sure that the tank is full earlier than beginning out. If the journey spans throughout a number of tons of of kilometres, the usual thumb rule  is to start out searching for a gas station when the gauge goes under the half-way mark. And simply in case you’re touring to somewhat distant places, a jerry can full of gas might show its value in gold.

Examine your plan

• Plan the route fastidiously and regardless that GPS is more likely to be your finest good friend all through, do keep in mind that expertise might have its limitations too. That shorter route being instructed might prevent a while however might not be preferrred when it comes to highway situation, road-side amenities or might not even be secure. It’s best to stay to nationwide highways, or state highways, no matter how for much longer it could take.
• Get a magnetic telephone holder of a great high quality. This is much better – and safer – than juggling your telephone whereas additionally steering the automobile. And on that notice, the clip-on holders for telephone might not be as efficient, particularly on less-than-perfect roads.
• In case your finances permits, a dashcam might be an important funding because it might hold a visible document of the whole journey.
• The place attainable, keep away from driving publish nightfall and get a cushty night time’s sleep if the journey has a halt mid means. Sometimes, it isn’t advisable to drive for greater than eight to 10 hours in a day. If there’s one other particular person within the automobile who can drive, it could be advantageous to take a break and swap seats. However even then, a automobile would require some relaxation time too.

These strategies are indicative solely and a information that can assist you make sure that your subsequent highway journey is enjoyable and secure.

First Printed Date: 24 Jan 2022, 12:02 PM IST