Continuing from the previous article where I suggested a few tips regarding getting your motorcycle ready for Ladakh; In this article I will provide some information on how to prepare your car for Ladakh trip. A journey to terrain like Ladakh is taxing not only for the traveler but also the machine. Add to it the fact that for most part of the journey here, you will be pretty much in the middle of nowhere with nearest help miles and hours away. Even something as simple as a flat tire can prove to be a catastrophe, if you are not well prepared. Hence it becomes of utmost importance that you pay close attention to your vehicle before starting the journey. Mentioned below in this article is a check list of things you need to get taken care of and a list of items that you should carry.
One of the most frequently asked questions is whether or not a certain car is good enough for Ladakh. To be quite honest, the answer to this question is not really of the company but of type of the vehicle. Without any doubt, a 4×4 SUV will be the best car for Ladakh trip. You can take it to anywhere you like and wouldn’t have to worry about much. If not 4×4 then any other 2×4 SUV will do as well. Why the SUV? It is because of good ground clearance it offers.
This however doesn’t mean that you cannot bring a hatchback or Sedan to Ladakh. A lot of people do it and you too can keeping a few things in mind. If your car too is a hatchback or Sedan then I recommend that you also take a look at the following article. There are several stretches in Ladakh which are not at all recommended for a vehicle with low ground clearance; details on which are in the article at the link below.
Also read: Which is the best car for Ladakh Trip
First thing you need to keep in mind while preparing for Ladakh is that it is all YOU. Remember that it is not the car that is taking you to Ladakh; but it is you driving it there. You need to have some decent enough experience at the wheel; both in plains and the hills. If you do not then please ensure that you first drive around for couple of months; go up the hills a few times; and then plan your journey towards Ladakh. For a successful trip, you really need to know your car. You need to know its limitations and how to maneuver it; especially around sharp turns and steep ascents.
It wouldn’t really hurt to learn a bit of minor repair work yourself. I know it is not really something that you will become an expert on in a single day but things like changing the headlamp, replacing wheels, fixing punctures, changing fuses, and adding engine oil, coolant, battery water etc.
This doesn’t really applies towards preparing your car but make sure that you are not over-packing. Carry whatever is really required. Carrying unnecessary things will mean too much weight in the car; please make sure that you are not doing that. This also applies towards stuffing too many people in the same car. Avoid putting anything on the roof but if you must put something there, make sure that is not of too much weight. Heavy weight on the roof will make the vehicle tough to handle around those sharp turns in hilly region; making it prone to a roll over.
How to Prepare your Car for Ladakh Trip?
The first thing you need to do here is to test your vehicle. I know you drive it around everyday but then looking for signs of trouble is not exactly on your mind, correct? Take it on the local highway and pay close attention to how your car is performing.
Listen closely for any weird noises, feel any shakes, and watch for signs of trouble in the gauges. Any grinding or moaning sound from the wheels means bad wheel bearing or worn out CV joint. If your car is pulling then there is a problem with wheel alignment or tires. Soft brake pedal means there is problem with the pads or the fluid. If there is a squealing sound while applying the brakes; or your steering wheel or the brake pedal wobbles; it means that either the pads are worn out or the rotors are warped. If your start up is a bit slow than it either means corrosion (white chalky stuff on the terminals) or a dying battery.
Get it serviced
This is the first thing you need to get done and carefully. If your car is showing above 5000 kilometers since last service then it is best to get it serviced completely; even if it is sooner than the schedule. If it has just been a couple thousand kilometers since the last service, then get a complete check up done. Mentioned below are a few things that you need to pay close attention to while getting your car checked.
No Noise
By this, I mean to tighten all nuts and bolts on the vehicle. Ensure that nothing is lose and there are no rattling noises anywhere.
Electrical
Check the wires and connections and ensure that the electrical system is working fine with no worn out wires anywhere. A good practice would be to change the bulbs if they are a bit old. Check the alternator and starter inspected carefully and clean the connectors.
Battery
Your battery must be in good condition. If it is over a couple of years old, make sure that the terminals are corrosion free. Make sure to top up the battery water and a check done on electrolytes or output voltage. Clean the terminals and it will be a good idea to apply petroleum jelly to them. Ensure that the positive and negative leads are tight.
Bleed the Brakes
A good practice before starting on the trip would be to bleed the brakes to ensure that they are working at their best. Driving in hilly region means continuous use of brakes and you got to make sure that they are working to their best. Get the brake pads/shoes checked and changed if needed. If the remaining life of brake pads in under 10,000 kilometers, then it is best to replace them. Also get the brake oil level checked before you set out.
Bearings
Check bearings for any replacements and get greasing done as well for all the wheels.
Oils
Check engine, brake and gear oils. If the last change was over 5000 kilometers ago, then you need another change. If under 5000, get them all topped up.
Coolant
Ensure that your car’s coolant is topped up and check for any leakages. A trip to Ladakh means that your car will be on the road daily, driving at high RPM, traveling in a region that is bound to put stress on it. You cannot risk the engine heating up there. As a matter of fact, inspect the entire cooling system closely. Check all the hoses, hose clips; ensure they are properly tightened and replace if there is any wear or tear. Also get the radiator tubes and fins washed and cleaned with high pressure water jet.
Clutch Plates
You will be climbing up several high altitude passes and need to ensure that your vehicle’s clutch plates are not worn out. If you notice any grey smoke, noise while you press the clutch, or poor pick then it is time for you to change them. Another check you can do yourself is to fully press all the brakes, put your car in first gear and slowly release the clutch. Notice how soon the engine stalls. An early stall means worn out clutch plates. If none of this occurs, you probably do not need to change but still ask the mechanic to test the clutch plates at the time of service.
Suspensions
Check all the shock absorbents and leaf springs tightened. While your vehicle is parked on a flat ground, look closely for any possible tilt on any side. If there is a tilt, you must get it corrected before heading to Ladakh.
Tires Condition
Check condition of all the 5 tires (including the stepney). If they seem worn out, get a new set. Steep high altitude passes, numerous water crossings, bad broken roads and sometimes no road at all requires good sturdy tires to withstand it all. A good way to check would be the old “One Rupee Test”. Take a one rupee coin and put it in the tread. See how deep the coin goes. If it didn’t go deep enough and the head of the Ashoka symbol is visible, then it is time to change the tires. Along with the tires, also check the rims for any possible bents.
Wheel Alignment
Get the alignment of both the wheels checked and corrected if needed. The one rupee test I mentioned above can also be done for wheel alignment. When you put the coin in the tread, the depth it gets buried in should be equal for all tires. If the coin is going less deeper in a particular tire, then the alignment is not right and that one particular wheel is eating more rubber. As a thumb rule, if it has been over 3,000 kilometers since last alignment, then best to get it checked and corrected a couple of weeks before the trip.
Belts
Replace the existing belts with new ones if they are over 3 years or 50,000 kilometers old. Also check pulley bearings and replace if necessary.
Wipers
Check wiper blades and replace if required. Also check the wiper motor to ensure that it is working fine. Clean the wind-shield cleaner nozzles if required.
Filters
Get both the Air and fuel filter changed before you start on the trip and get a check done again after you arrive in Leh. Ladakh is a cold desert and there will be a lot of dirt on the road, easy to clog the filters.
Leakage
Check the belly of your car for any possible leakages or anything lose or hanging. Ensure all nuts are fastened and look for any traces of oil. If you see black oil, then your engine oil is leaking. Red would mean brake or clutch oils while a bit yellow would mean that your gear oil is leaking.
Underbelly
If you are traveling in a Sedan or hatchback with low ground clearance, installing an aluminum plate underneath can prevent damage to the belly of your car. It is actually available for all cars but in my opinion, it is a must if you are bringing a GC vehicle to Ladakh.
Cabin
Check everything inside the cabin and ensure all is in place. Check all the gauges, switches (headlamp, indicator, and wipers), handbrake, pedals, window rollers, lights, locks (door, gear and remote) and doors.
Once you have gotten the above mentioned things taken care of, next in line is to get the some spares that you must carry with you. In Ladakh, you may find a mechanic but finding a spare part can sometimes still be troublesome. Mentioned below are a few items that I recommend you carrying.
Tool Kit
I know that a tool kit usually remains in the car for most people but still though to add it to the list. Ensure that all the necessary tools that came with the car are in there.
Engine Oil / Coolant / Battery Water
Carry about a liter of all these fluids. Check the level at regular intervals and top up when necessary.
Air Pump
This as I mentioned above in the article can really be a life saver if you have a flat tire or start to lose air pressure. Carry either a foot pump or electric one.
Puncture repair kit
A must have item for both, tires with tubes or tubeless tires.
Spare Bulbs
Carry a set of spare bulbs for headlamp and tail lights.
M-Seal / Electrical or Scotch Tape
Carry an electrical and scotch tape, can come in handy not just for car but at several other occasions as well. M-Seal can help fix small cracks or holes and prevent leakage.
Jump Start Cable
A jump start cable can be of great help if you car’s battery dies or if it refuses to start up early in the morning.
Screw Driver set
It is a good practice to carry another set of screw drivers, apart from the ones that came with the tool kit. Look for a screwdriver set that has multiple attachments; possibly also includes a set of Allen keys.
Spare Can for Petrol / Diesel
There is no gas station in Ladakh except for the one in the city of Leh. Depending on your itinerary, you could be traveling on stretches where a single tank full will not be enough. Carry a 20 liter can for spare fuel. Also carry a petrol pipe, in case you have to borrow petrol/diesel from someone if your car ran dry.
Wooden Plank & Towing Rope
A small wooden plank will come in handy if your car gets stuck in lose dirt, mud or slush. A towing rope will be useful if your car dies on you and needs to be towed to nearest mechanic.
Torch light
Not exactly a part of car tool kit but though to add it here nonetheless. Carry a good powerful torchlight, will come in handy at several places.
Spare Key / Documents
Keep a spare key handy and ensure that you are carrying all your necessary documents with you inclusive of your driving license, RC, PUC and Insurance certificate.
am not really a car expert and my knowledge is pretty much limited to the basics; which I am sure anyone who owns a car will have. Information I shared above was a mix of my own knowledge and stuff that I read over the web. If you have any other useful tips, please feel free to share. Any information on how to pack, how to prepare, or even how to drive in the hills will be of great help to other travelers. In case of any questions, please do ask in the comments section below or at our Community Forum and I will be glad to answer.