Tips for Highway Driving

[hvkumar]

While on a drive, all of us follow certain practices and observe many codes of conduct to ensure a safe and comfortable drive. During my several years of driving, I have been doing so too, and I thought it would be appropriate to list them down so that we can all assess their relevance and enrich our knowledge base.

I have amassed a big library of my own tips for driving on highways and maybe this thread can list them down from time to time, as each of you also will have.

TIP:
ON LONG HIGHWAY TRIPS, DRIVE WITH YOUR WINDOWS CLOSED, KEEPS THE DUST AND NOISE AWAY AND KEEPS YOU FREE FROM FATIGUE.

[tadukuttan]

I have my own bunch of these as well. Let me start with one you guys might not have heard off.

I clean/wash the car before any long drive. Even if it is raining. Over time I have realized that if the car is clean, I somehow take more care of the car, resulting in saner speeds. Sometimes, it is after lunch the "car is clean, dont dirty it" feeling wears off.

[optimus_prime]

A couple of small, but maybe significant things:
Before leaving for a long drive, I idle the car a little longer than usual. I get the feeling that the car feels more ready to go after I start driving rather than taking it out all cold.
I also always start off by listening to my favourite songs initially to get me in the right frame of mind for the long haul

And +1 to tadu's point. Nothing like a clean car (inside and outside) to give you that comfortable feeling while driving.

[bala4567]

First thing we do when going for long drives is go to a Ganesha temple and pray. Incase we are leaving in the morning we cook breakfast at home, take enough water, we take enough chocolates and snacks to keep munching on the way, make sure the vehicle is free from all troubles, clean the vehicle, start it and idle it for a few minutes, pray once again and off we go zooooooooooooooooom.

Edit: Spare tire intact, jack and other stuff very important, Headlights and Fog lamps working properly, Check the air pressure in tires before leaving.

[WildWeasel]

This might be a little less important point but wanted to share my exp too..

I feel we should avoid drinking pepsi/coke/sprite etc all carbonated drinks on long drives.. I sometime feel very sleepy after 2 or 3 hours of drive drinking this stuff..

Instead you could have Tea breaks!!

Another thing to avoid is smoking while driving. Other reasons apart, at those speeds with windows open it greatly spoils the interiors... Creates a layer of black dust.. Realized it on experience ..

[optimus_prime]

Remember to fill fuel.

[lazybrain]

in addition to the above if someone is falling asleep on the front passenger seat i ask them to go back and sleep. Dont even want a minute temptation. I generally do it after i have driven more than 300 kms since fatigue adds up driving and cant resist when you see someone sleeping next to you.

Another thing to avoid is smoking while driving. Other reasons apart, at those speeds with windows open it greatly spoils the interiors... Creates a layer of black dust.. Realized it on experience ..

This chance you get only when you are driving alone. Do you think you get this chance when you are traveling with your family? (i mean smoking and driving)

[Aargee]

This WILL be one of my favourite thread
Here're some tips that I learned the hard way...
- Never start a trip unplanned. Get to know atleast some idea on the route intended to take
- Have some cash on hand & never start the trip depending on an ATM card
- Apart from drinking water, have 1 or 2 bottles of non drinking water for washing etc
- Never service the vehicle & take it out on highway next day. Try driving for atleast 50-100 Kms inside city before hitting the highway
- Always fill the fuel to brim the previous day or several hours before the journey & never plan to fill enroute & then start the journey

Can't think anything further, will keep adding them

[lazybrain]

1. Carry basic medicines like paracetamol, anti-emetic, digene etc
2. if you are planning to start early morning (say 4 AM or so) make sure that you got at least 6 hours sleep for the night.
3. Early morning starters - if possible have a cup of strong tea or coffee since you never know so early in the morning whether you will get tea or not in case you feel sluggish
4. Make sure you have a torch in your car (comes handy when you are planning to start at night)
5. When you have a breakdown or something on highway (or even if intentional break) make sure you park the car well on side and keep the parking lights on.
6. When traveling with kids, be sure to stop often -- not just for snacks and potty breaks, but also for fun.
7. Dont drink and drive

[bala4567]

7. Dont drink and drive

Even water?

make sure to carry FIRST AID KIT as well. and a strong an strong iron rod 1-1.5ft in length.