Thursday, 21 November 2019

Hill driving tricks

A relatively newbie Kolkata based roadie had posted a query in another travel forum in mid-November 2019 on issues to be followed during long drives and hill drives (in Darjeeling hills).
He plans to drive his Maruti Swift Lxi from Kolkata.

My own reply to him was as follows:

Always give right of way to the vehicle that is climbing an incline.

There's another thumb rule  ..... always try to drive in the same gear while climbing up or down. For example, if you drove up a particular incline on 3rd gear, use the same gear while climbing down.

Use the engine's natural ability to decelerate as much as possible instead of braking frequently or always having your feet on the brake pedal.

Be careful with the clutch. Don't keep the clutch pedal pressed unnecessarily. You will burn the clutch plates. You will be in a major fix thereafter.

Switching off the engine and/or disengaging the gear and keeping the car in neutral while climbing down and letting the car roll forward are failproof killer prescriptions.

Practice the stop and move outside your house here in Kolkata itself. Once you decide to move forward from being stationary, your car should NOT roll back even a centimeter. That's an art by itself.

Be it in the plains or hills, always remain #HighOnCognition.

Remember that you are driving for your own pleasure and your dear ones should also enjoy the ride with you.

Do not drive to clock Facebook 'likes'.

Should you even feel remotely sleepy or tired even while driving from Kolkata to Siliguri, park your car away from the road, ideally at the corner of a petrol pump or dhaba Or whatever & take a #powernap for 15 - 20 minutes. You will wake up unbelievably fresh after 15 - 20 mins.
No amount of splashing water in your eyes & neck, chewing gum, tea/ coffee, cigarettes, etc will help.
If anybody tells you anything on the contrary, have confidence in me & follow this friendly life saving advice of mine.

Lastly, #NoPlannedNightDriving.
.
.
.
Did I miss out on any #Indiandown. For example, if you drove up a particular incline on 3rd gear, use the same gear while climbing down.

Use the engine's natural ability to decelerate as much as possible instead of braking frequently or always having your feet on the brake pedal.

Be careful with the clutch. Don't keep the clutch pedal pressed unnecessarily. You will burn the clutch plates. You will be in a major fix thereafter.

Switching off the engine and/or disengaging the gear and keeping the car in neutral while climbing down and letting the car roll forward are failproof killer prescriptions.

Practice the stop and move outside your house here in Kolkata itself. Once you decide to move forward from being stationary, your car should NOT roll back even a centimeter. That's an art by itself.

Be it in the plains or hills, always remain #HighOnCognition.

Remember that you are driving for your own pleasure and your dear ones should also enjoy the ride with you.

Do not drive to clock Facebook 'likes'.

Should you even feel remotely sleepy or tired even while driving from Kolkata to Siliguri, park your car away from the road, ideally at the corner of a petrol pump or dhaba Or whatever & take a #powernap for 15 - 20 minutes. You will wake up unbelievably fresh after 15 - 20 mins.
No amount of splashing water in your eyes & neck, chewing gum, tea/ coffee, cigarettes, etc will help.
If anybody tells you anything on the contrary, have confidence in me & follow this friendly life saving advice of mine.

Lastly, No Planned Night Driving.
.
.
.
Did I miss out on any
# Indian Roadie Safety Tips

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