Motoring: Getting ready for the Fun drive

The Gulf News Fun Drive, to be held on December 13 this year, will be an exciting event with a longer-than-usual drive. Some tips for participants who are gearing up for the event...

On Friday, December 13th, a day drive, we will be going from Nad Al Sheba Race course to the Intercontinental Hotel in Al Ain. It will be a longer-than-usual drive and everyone participating will need to get themselves and their vehicle ready.

Perhaps the more important item to consider in your getting-ready programme is your 4x4 vehicle. From past experience, there are many who had a vehicle problem that could have been prevented if they had prepared their vehicle for a long 6 or 7 hours' session of hard sand driving in hot temperatures. Even though we are nearly in the 'winter' months, the daily temperatures in the desert are over 30 degrees - and that is pretty hot enough - thank you!

Your vehicle

Service: If your vehicle is due for a service soon, get it done now before the Fun Drive on December 13.

Cooling System: You can check this yourself or ask the workshop to do it when you take the 4x4 in for its service. You need to check the radiator hoses for signs of leaking, especially at the spots where the hose clips are. Also check for signs of water seeping from the radiator. It is almost certain you will be driving for sections in Low range in the dunes. This means, you will be going more slowly than normal and also that the engine rpm will be higher. When you drive slower there is less airflow through the radiator core to cool the liquid in the radiator. This, coupled with the higher rpm, means the temperature of the coolant will rise as will the pressure in the cooling system. This higher pressure may then burst a weak hose or open a crack in the radiator.

Clutch: We get more retirements from the Fun Drive from burned-out clutches than any other reason. If your vehicle has an automatic clutch clearance adjustment system, then hopefully it is properly set. Some older vehicles may need a manual adjustment so when the vehicle is in for service, get the clutch checked. During the Fun Drive, try to avoid slipping the clutch when trying to get out of a problem if stuck in the sand. Slipping the clutch just burns it out and this technique has no place in off-road driving.

Tyres: Check the condition of your tyres, including the spare wheel. If you have one puncture you can always fit the spare. If you have a second puncture, you are going nowhere. You should check not only the tread but the sidewalls too - inside and outside - for bulges, cuts and cracks. Did you know the vehicle test stations in Dubai are now rejecting vehicles if the tyres are more than four years old? That gives some indication of the importance placed on having sound tyres. On one previous Fun Drive, I came across a vehicle with 4 flat tyres - when I looked at tyres I understood why! They should have been dumped ages ago and replaced with new ones.

Battery: Check the fluid level (except on those batteries that are sealed). More importantly, check the connections to the terminals of the battery. One may be loose and if it gets bumped off on a rough section, your vehicle will soon die. Also check how secure the battery is in its cradle. A loose battery will cause you many problems.

Yourself

You need to get in the right frame of mind before you start the Fun Drive. Perhaps you are a little tetchy this morning, or the dog dug up all your precious plants in the garden this morning, or Manchester United lost again, or whatever. Sorry for you but that is your problem and not to be shared with everyone else please.

There are three words to describe how your attitude should be when starting off on any Fun Drive and they are: patience, tolerance and politeness.

Also, please pay attention to what any of our Marshals in the Mobile Rescue Teams tell you. They are all volunteers who undertake to help you from the goodness of their hearts - they do not appreciate being abused!

So, if you take these simple nuggets of advice seriously when getting ready for the Fun Drive, we should see you in Al Ain!


Things you shouldn't leave without

Recovery rope and shackles: Make sure you have a strong recovery rope (not a cheap towing rope purchased from a shop for Dh25!). You may spend more money on a good recovery rope but if you look after it, it will last a lifetime. You also need 2 'D' shackles, as you should never slip the loop of a towrope directly onto the towing hook of the vehicle as it will become cut or frayed.

Tyre pressure gauge: Again, get a good gauge with a dial as opposed to those that are like a pen with a clip for putting in your pocket. The dial gauges tend to be more accurate.

Shovel: A small folding shovel, as used by army soldiers will do. It has the advantage of being able to set the blade as an extension of the handle or at 90 degrees to it. If you purchase an ordinary shovel get the smaller size, as it is easier to use if you have to.

Base board: This is a piece of strong board measuring about 30cm by 30cm. This is used to place your jack on if you have to change a wheel in sand. The board will spread the load of your vehicle and prevent the jack from sinking into the sand when you start to use it.

Tool kit: Check if you have a wheel spanner for removing wheel nuts in your standard tool kit, also the handles for using the jack. Some vehicles have a special anti-theft socket to use on the wheels so make sure you have that as well.

Gloves: Not to keep your hands warm but to prevent them from getting burned if you have to push your car or have to change a wheel.

Fire extinguisher: Try to find a small aerosol, canister-type, for dealing with electrical fires.

Size 12 or 13 metric spanner: If an electrical fire starts then the first thing to so is to disconnect the battery. Carry a small spanner in the glove box that fits the nuts securing the battery cables to the battery terminals. It should be a size 12 or 13 metric spanner.