[rageshbhaskar]

My 2 cents

Do proper analysis of the road before you set out , if its for the first time, forums like this can help a lot.
Fill fuel only from pumps which supplies to a decent local population, else you might end up stuck with water.
Maintain lanes and use all the three mirrors before lane changing , braking etc.
Unless and untill the road is fenced and its single, do not exceed beyond 80-90 unless the car is very sturdy and is with airbags and ABS
Children with deat belts.
Decelerate when there are multiple lanes and trucks are seen close to each other
Avoid driving at nights , especially 1-4 am .
Check tyre pressure and coolant level
Windshied to be clean
If some one high beams , dont beam back, flash and be careful.
Ask your co driver to handle mobile calls

[aa_asif]

If its a day long drive (Eg: Bangalore - Kottayam), I carry 2ltrs of water, an LED pocket torch, cloth for windscreen cleaning, umbrella and a small pillow for my partner. and oh yes! iPOD!!

My dress code: Bermudas with flip-flops (chappals) :-D

Some old fashioned habit before start:

1. Check oil level
2. Check coolant level
3. Check water level in the windscreen washer

[ampere]

Originally Posted by aa_asif

If its a day long drive (Eg: Bangalore - Kottayam), I carry 2ltrs of water, an LED pocket torch, cloth for windscreen cleaning, umbrella and a small pillow for my partner. and oh yes! iPOD!!

My dress code: Bermudas with flip-flops (chappals) :-D

Some old fashioned habit before start:

1. Check oil level
2. Check coolant level
3. Check water level in the windscreen washer

Instead of cloth, good to carry newspaper. Its a better cleaning cloth!
Without IPOD I dont step to anywhere! Including office

Somehow, I was never able to drive with chappals. Its always shoes for me. I have seen other posts, on people debating,
if driving barefoot is good! But some how never works for me.

[sbraj]

Originally Posted by ampere

Somehow, I was never able to drive with chappals. Its always shoes for me. I have seen other posts, on people debating,
if driving barefoot is good! But some how never works for me.

If one is used to a particular habit, don't change that for long drives. It could turn counter productive, especially on the highways, at higher speeds. May lead to concentration lapse.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by sbraj

If one is used to a particular habit, don't change that for long drives. It could turn counter productive, especially on the highways, at higher speeds. May lead to concentration lapse.

I tried driving to the local grocery store with chappals and gave up in despair, owing to the discomfort.
Its always shorts/T-Shirt and shoes on the highways.

[aa_asif]

Originally Posted by sbraj

If one is used to a particular habit, don't change that for long drives. It could turn counter productive, especially on the highways, at higher speeds. May lead to concentration lapse.

I agree to this point. Personally, my feet start sweating after 3-4 hours of continuous drive even with the AC on. So I prefer flip flops for proper ventilation

News papers are good/better for windscreen, I agree here too, but I prefer doing it with a damp cloth to avoid scratches in case of dust settling.

[akshay]

Hi. In addition to most of the stuff in the list, we carry a sleeping bag and a yoga mat. The mat comes in really handy as any stop becomes a mini picnic!

The sleeping bag - well its a pillow, bed, shawl, curtain. Many many uses.

[carfanatic007]

Hi All,

I was planning a long drive so had noted all suggestions in an excel which can be easily printed and kept, so decided to share it with others so that they too can use it.

[Viper21]

Great thread technocrat and the others who added on. I will remember to refer to this thread before i go out on a long drive.

Thanks !

[ampere]

I am aware that one has to drive with both hands held in a 10'o'clock position.
But many times I wonder, would'nt one hand driving while other is one is on the gear, help achieve better reaction times?

In the city I agree it may be the order of the day. But how how dangerous it is on the highways?

[aargee]

Originally Posted by ampere

I am aware that one has to drive with both hands held in a 10'o'clock position.

I was taught to drive with this position; but watching several people, I decided I'll use one hand to drive when I buy a car.

Originally Posted by ampere

But many times I wonder, would'nt one hand driving while other is one is on the gear, help achieve better reaction times?

Well said; it actually gives a better reaction times especially during shifting gears, crossing junctions, taking off from speed barriers.

Originally Posted by ampere

In the city I agree it may be the order of the day. But how how dangerous it is on the highways?

City or highway, my driving style is the same.

BTW, I can drive bare foot or with slippers or with shoes, they don't make any difference. On long drives, this helps a lot when the legs are kind of exhausted, I would remove my slippers & drive bare foot for sometime & the immense pleasure of blowing A/C to feet is unexplainable.

[sbraj]

Originally Posted by ampere

I am aware that one has to drive with both hands held in a 10'o'clock position.
But many times I wonder, would'nt one hand driving while other is one is on the gear, help achieve better reaction times?

In the city I agree it may be the order of the day. But how how dangerous it is on the highways?

Taking evasive action at high speeds may be better done with both hands on steering wheel. Using both hands give better control.

On highways, one does not shift gears that often, right? Then why rest the hand on gear knob?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by sbraj

T
On highways, one does not shift gears that often, right? Then why rest the hand on gear knob?

Good Point! I for one found it easy to drive with one hand and the other on the gear (and definitely not for the cool look!). Let me try to correct it as much as possible.

[docjoe]

Excellent Excel sheet, carfanatic. Perhaps I will add some bits and repost it.

[vasoo]

Good list. Not sure if someone has already mentioned, if you wear power specs, do carry a spare one with similar power. For those who have power lens, it will impossible to drive without them, in case of loss or breakage.