If you were to travel long distance along
with your family it would be a good idea to check the following
 Take the vehicle to an
authorized service center. Request for a general check up where leakage's and damages
would be repaired. Also worn parts would be identified and replaced. Special attention
would be paid to Hoses, pipes & cables. ( clutch & accelerator specially) 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 defects are attended to. Ensure all
lights are checked and are in satisfactory working condition. 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
till the last moment you may be delayed or the job may be slip shod due to the urgency.
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 to avoid over charging and waste of time by road side
Tyre repairers. Ensure the stephney Tyre is inflated to the recommended
pressure. Please note that if the vehicle were to be fully loaded the
Tyre pressures would be kept slightly higher.
Reduce tyre pressure by about 2-3 psi on high-speed roads as
the Mumbai-Pune Expressway or the Delhi-Noida Expressway. High vehicle
speeds on these rpads for long distances results in heating and automatic
inflation of the tyres. If the tyres are already over-inflated, the
hazard of a tyre burst is omnipresent.
Ensure that the vehicle body jack is available and is in a working condition.
At times the jack spindle catches rust due to long periods of non-use
and the jack 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, 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 to meet any unfortunate eventualities.
Try to keep the kit as comprehensive as possible.
You may not know how to repair the vehicle but if the tools and spares
were available with you it would be easier for a roadside mechanic or
a good Samaritan to help you repair the vehicle so as you are not stranded
on the highway.
In case you feel that you need professional help get in touch with the
Highway users club.
It makes a lot of sense to carry the Service Manual of your vehicle
on long distance drives. The manual always lists the closest available
authorised service station for your car if the need so arises.
Always pre plan the route you intend to take (eg. Use a state or highway
map of India) prior to actually commencing the trip. WIAA is amongst
others organizations that would be in a position to help you layout
a route that would be both convenient and safe. You will be supprised
at the different possibilities that would be available. Also you would
be in a position to make note of refueling stations, service centers
and rest areas.
Also your family 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. |
