Thread Starter
#1
Preventive Maintenance
When one has to take the vehicle for a long trip the following items have to be taken care of.
Oil Check up
Brakes check up. If any brake are worn out, replace them by new ones.
Air Check up is of utmost important. Tyres without proper air pressure would not give the due mileage. They have to be properly inflated with digital pressure gauges or else they would deflate the purse of the owner.
Grease packing is a must as it would enhance the life of the vehicle from the effects of wear and tear.
It is a vehicle with power steering one has to be very careful. The driver would find handling the steering effortless . The very term 'power steering' indicates that its function is based on the power supplied by the dynamo which supplies the necessary power to the maneuver the steering.
This is possible only when the ignition key is turned on and the engine is running. Suppose the engine is stopped, the power steering would lose its easy handling provision and it would be very difficult to manually handle the steering then. You could not at such times negotiate the curves. This has to be viewed seriously especially when the vehicle moves across the road flooded with water.
"Highway Hypnosis" or "Drowsiness" is lack of sleep or fatigue experienced by drivers usually on highways. It hampers the driving ability of the drivers. Drivers can combat hypnosis by taking frequent intervals while driving, whilst taking coffee, exercise or nap.
Starting
Be careful while pulling out a parked car, on to the road.
The driver's seat is an important place in the car and has to be adjusted for correct driving posture. The rear view mirror is adjusted to a position, which enables the driver to obtain the best possible rear view.
The dashboard panel has indicators which show you oil, fuel and battery power status. Most drivers who drive newer cars take these for granted, but it is a good habit to take a look at these indicators every time you start driving.
You should take a lesson from the BEST bus drivers who go around the bus, checking all the tyres before they start driving the bus. (but not for driving.)
Move your car slowly after you start it. Speedy starts are not only dangerous, but they also burn your tyres and waste a lot of fuel.
Turning
Use correct indications while turning.
While turning left or right use the turning indicator lights. You must ensure that you are in the correct lane so that you don't have to cut across lanes. Something as simple as turning a car causes several accidents in metropolitan cities. You have to be particularly careful and lookout for pedestrians and two wheelers. You should indicate your intention to turn or change lanes at least 30 meters before you do so.
While turning left keep as close to the left as possible - before, during and after the turn.
Right turns are more dangerous
than turning to left, as you have to cross through on coming traffic on the other side of the road. While turning right keep your car just left of the middle of the road. Wait till you find a safe gap in the oncoming traffic and then make the turn.
While taking a U-turn you need to stop and watch for traffic from the left while giving way to the other vehicles behind you. When you find a safe gap in the oncoming traffic, take the turn swiftly, get into the correct lane and accelerate.
LIMIT DRIVING ALONE WHEN TIRED
Driving with someone else in your vehicle can increase your overall alertness. It is well recognized that when driving alone, especially when sleep deprived and at night, your chances of a crash are dramatically increased.
PRACTICE COMMON SENSE SAFETY RULES
Always wear your safety belt and make sure all your passengers are buckled properly, even on short trips. If traveling with children, educate yourself on the many kinds of child safety seats and restraints. Choose which system is best for your child and always follow the directions. Make sure children ages 12 and under are always buckled up in the back seat, the safest place to ride.
Enjoy Driving!
When one has to take the vehicle for a long trip the following items have to be taken care of.
Oil Check up
Brakes check up. If any brake are worn out, replace them by new ones.
Air Check up is of utmost important. Tyres without proper air pressure would not give the due mileage. They have to be properly inflated with digital pressure gauges or else they would deflate the purse of the owner.
Grease packing is a must as it would enhance the life of the vehicle from the effects of wear and tear.
It is a vehicle with power steering one has to be very careful. The driver would find handling the steering effortless . The very term 'power steering' indicates that its function is based on the power supplied by the dynamo which supplies the necessary power to the maneuver the steering.
This is possible only when the ignition key is turned on and the engine is running. Suppose the engine is stopped, the power steering would lose its easy handling provision and it would be very difficult to manually handle the steering then. You could not at such times negotiate the curves. This has to be viewed seriously especially when the vehicle moves across the road flooded with water.
- First of all carry a good map book. You never know when its useful, espicially on new routes. the SH (Statehighways) and NH (National Highways) have lots of village and town names with KMs mentioned rather than the actual destinations where you intend to go.
- On routes that you are going for the first time, make good use of the toll booths/nakas to enquire about the quality road ahead (espically state highways), when is the next tool booth,
- For journeys that go across the full night, If at all you want to take a nap in the night, best and safe places to stop are the Tool booths where there is always an activity. Next preferences are the places where buses stops for dinners.... these hotels are abuzz with activity and are safe places..
- Do carry a good torch and extra batterries.
- One more important things is to ensure that all mobile phones of all persons are fully charged. An extra mobile is always handy (ofcourse with battery charged)
- Carry lots of water and best places to keep is under the seats as they donot occupy space and can be easily picked up.
- If the car is not fully occupied a soft pillow is always handy for a short nap at the back seat.
- If possible know if you have one extra member who know basic driving..Believe me this could be a life savor.
- one more best practise is to reset the trip meter to start at zero for end to end KM travelled. You always end up travelling more KM’s that what you anticipate.
- Its also a good practise to note the start timings and timings (time covered) at know points as a log book. Believe me, next time you travel on the same route you know exactly which sector has taken more time and where it tool long. You can also guide anyone who is travelling onthe same route.
- When travelling by road, avoid telling everyone. Road travel is considered very risky in India, hence people are more anxious to know where you have reached which can be irritation at times.
"Highway Hypnosis" or "Drowsiness" is lack of sleep or fatigue experienced by drivers usually on highways. It hampers the driving ability of the drivers. Drivers can combat hypnosis by taking frequent intervals while driving, whilst taking coffee, exercise or nap.
Starting
Be careful while pulling out a parked car, on to the road.
The driver's seat is an important place in the car and has to be adjusted for correct driving posture. The rear view mirror is adjusted to a position, which enables the driver to obtain the best possible rear view.
The dashboard panel has indicators which show you oil, fuel and battery power status. Most drivers who drive newer cars take these for granted, but it is a good habit to take a look at these indicators every time you start driving.
You should take a lesson from the BEST bus drivers who go around the bus, checking all the tyres before they start driving the bus. (but not for driving.)
Move your car slowly after you start it. Speedy starts are not only dangerous, but they also burn your tyres and waste a lot of fuel.
Turning
Use correct indications while turning.
While turning left or right use the turning indicator lights. You must ensure that you are in the correct lane so that you don't have to cut across lanes. Something as simple as turning a car causes several accidents in metropolitan cities. You have to be particularly careful and lookout for pedestrians and two wheelers. You should indicate your intention to turn or change lanes at least 30 meters before you do so.
While turning left keep as close to the left as possible - before, during and after the turn.
Right turns are more dangerous
than turning to left, as you have to cross through on coming traffic on the other side of the road. While turning right keep your car just left of the middle of the road. Wait till you find a safe gap in the oncoming traffic and then make the turn.
While taking a U-turn you need to stop and watch for traffic from the left while giving way to the other vehicles behind you. When you find a safe gap in the oncoming traffic, take the turn swiftly, get into the correct lane and accelerate.
LIMIT DRIVING ALONE WHEN TIRED
Driving with someone else in your vehicle can increase your overall alertness. It is well recognized that when driving alone, especially when sleep deprived and at night, your chances of a crash are dramatically increased.
PRACTICE COMMON SENSE SAFETY RULES
Always wear your safety belt and make sure all your passengers are buckled properly, even on short trips. If traveling with children, educate yourself on the many kinds of child safety seats and restraints. Choose which system is best for your child and always follow the directions. Make sure children ages 12 and under are always buckled up in the back seat, the safest place to ride.
Enjoy Driving!
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