In Chandigarh fuel prices are low. Fill up your tank before your trip to the hills. Normal fuel is not available in several petrol stations of Himachal. High octane petrol is available, but this is more expensive by over Rs 5 per litre. Poor quality fuel is not good for your engine. It can leave unhealthy gum deposits on the injector nozzles. With the sudden jump in the temperature, it would seem that the summer is here, and it could be a long hot summer. Naturally, thoughts turn to the hills. In about an hour’s drive, Chandigarh residents can be up in the natural air-conditioning that the hills provide.
With the cars that we are all driving these days, it is a simple matter to be mobile. All you need is a tank full of fuel. Make sure you do fill up because Chandigarh has the cheapest fuel in the area, and for some strange reason, normal petrol is not available in a lot of fuel stations in Himachal. Only high octane petrol is available, and this makes it more expensive by over Rs 5 per litre. Some attendants tell you outright: “ We only have super.” Others say: “ We have just run out of normal.”
In theory, a high octane fuel should be cleaner and have a better flash point. In reality, since milawat (adulteration) is an accepted fact in our life, be it food or medicine, I would hazard a guess and say fuel can't be spared of this malaise. Poor quality fuel is not good for your fuel-injected engine. Over a longish drive, say a couple of hundred kilometres, it can leave unhealthy gum deposits on the injector nozzles. It will also affect the pulling power of the engine. You will need that extra effort while climbing up a steep hill.
Another important point to keep in mind while refuelling on the highway is that you may never go back to the same petrol station again. This makes you fair game for these malpractices. Other than adulterated fuel, short delivery and overcharging are common. I was witness to an argument between a driver and an attendant who had to make out a bill for 60 litres. Very few cars have such a large tank capacity, certainly not a little Maruti.
It is easy to understand what had happened. The meter had not been zeroed. The attendants have been trained to alert the driver by saying: "Please check the zero, Sir." It is a good practice to get out of the car and oversee the refuelling. Make sure the meter has been zeroed, you get the full fuel you have paid for, and that the fuel cap is firmly back in place.
If you have to refuel, choose a well-known petrol station in the city, rather than a loner on the highway. Another point. Refuel in the morning before you set off on your drive. Don't refuel at night and park overnight in the hotel parking lot. There are rogues who are experts at siphoning petrol from your tank. That would be the least of your problems. If the car gets stolen with a full tank, the thief and the car will be hundreds of kilometres away by the time you discover your loss.
Early March is one of the best times to drive up to the hills. It is still off-season, hotels rooms are easy to get, and the roads are comparatively traffic free. The temperature is comfortable. If you are in an adventurous mood, find one of the byways, and chances are you will find snow on the road and hillsides. Driving in the snow is a thrilling and demanding experience. Most of all, the children will love it.
Travelling with children demands special attention. Daytime temperature is warm, and a T-shirt and jeans are enough. However, if the sun was to hide behind the clouds, the temperature drops suddenly. Some warm clothing must be kept handy. It will be necessary in the evening at sunset. A couple of weeks ago, when the day-time temperature was in the upper 20s, on the northern side of the hills with snow on the ground, it was a mere 4º C.
If you find snow, the children are in fantasy land. Snowball fights, romping in the snow and sliding down the hill on their bottoms is a sure thing. Have a pair of socks and sandals to change into. For sure, the children’s shoes and socks will be soaking wet; maybe the T-shirts too. Change into dry clothes as soon as possible. A couple of towels will be of great help. Does anyone suffer from motion sickness? A couple of plastic bags are a great help to throw-up into. It will save you the trouble of cleaning up the leather upholstery of your car.
The sun is hot and the air is dry. So dehydration is a real problem, especially with children. Carry plenty of water. Children may not want to drink water; so tetra packs of fruit juices is a good choice. They are easy to sip. Aerated drinks are not recommended. It is also not recommended to drink or eat while on the move. If you have a mouthful of liquid, and the car hits a bump, there is a good chance the liquid may go down the windpipe and cause choking.
Avoid this luxury of drinking on the move. Stop, take a break, enjoy the scenery, do what you have to, and then move off. It is a motoring holiday, and there should be no hurry. A slow unhurried drive in the gorgeous Himalayas is therapeutic.
One last point that will promise a trouble-free drive. Check tyre pressure. Tyres are the most ignored fitment in your car. For a smooth and comfortable drive, correct tyre pressure is important. It will improve your cornering and breaking and fuel average. Check, and, if necessary, top up windshield washer fluid. A special fluid is available for this purpose. Go prepared.
Happy motoring.
