BHPian ghodlur<\/strong> recently shared this with other enthusiasts.<\/p>\n For the past year and a half or so, I have been doing Bangalore-Pune-Bangalore trips a lot. The distance around 850 kms is being covered in 11-12 hrs with 3 breaks – Breakfast for 30 mins, Fuel for 15 mins and tea\/light snacks for 15 mins. So total of 3 breaks all around 300 kms each. The logic was to give the body the desired time to stretch and help blood recirculation and for the engine to avoid any kind of turbo fatigue due to the higher rpms involved.<\/p>\n So what should be the ideal frequency of taking a break when driving long distances? Should the total distance to be covered decide the number of breaks to be planned? Should the hours of driving dictate the breaks or kms reached? As per experts a rest is needed after every 2 hrs for 15 mins. I normally tend to take a break every 3 hrs during the trip. Plus there is a dashboard message to take a break for a coffee which appears every 4 hrs (Atleast configured in Tata). Does it mean that taking more number of breaks can help push the driving time too or is there is any limitation to that either in terms of hours of driving or kms crossed. Increasing the number of breaks can delay your planned time of reaching the destination.<\/p>\n Another important element is knowing how much to push your car engine to avoid any turbo fatigue which could result due to over speed and high temperatures? So what is the ideal time to give engine the much needed break and for how much time? Is the usual 15 min break sufficient to allow the engine to cool down before it can be fired up again till the next break?<\/p>\n Would welcome thoughts on this.<\/p>\n Here’s what GTO<\/strong> had to say on the matter:<\/p>\n Short breaks = Every 2 hours. Step out, stretch, catch a nice scenic spot for the view or a good coffee place. Even if you think you can go longer without a break, don’t. This 2-hour break will greatly improve your concentration levels & keep you fresher for the long drive.<\/p>\n Long breaks = Every 3 – 4 hours. We usually time this around meal times. Only breakfast, lunch & late afternoon tea, mind you. I never drive on the highway after sunset.<\/p>\n Max driving per day = 9 – 10 hours. I need to call it a day then. Something like Mumbai-Goa is my limit per day. In the USA, the max I drove was Boston – Montreal (also the only time I drove into another country!).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Here’s what BHPian nicodash<\/strong> had to say on the matter:<\/p>\n Taking breaks during long drives involves more than just measuring time or distance. Traffic conditions significantly influence the need for rest. Heavy traffic can increase fatigue earlier, whereas driving on empty roads may allow for longer, more comfortable stretches.<\/p>\n The type of transmission is also a key factor. Generally, automatic cars are less exhausting over extended distances than manual ones.<\/p>\n Comfort is crucial. A vehicle equipped with comfortable seats and well-designed ergonomics enables longer drives without frequent breaks. Ultimately, the need for rest is determined by a combination of these elements and your personal comfort level.<\/p>\n I often undertake long journeys, the most recent being a trip from Jabalpur to Gurgaon in one day. The total travel time was 14 hours, including 90 minutes of breaks.<\/p>\n During the drive, I utilized the car’s ‘cruise’ feature as much as possible and adopted a calmer driving style that minimized the need for frequent braking. Also, I chose a longer, but better condition route for the Jabalpur to Sagar stretch. The straight road was shorter, but it is said to be in poorer condition, and would have introduced fatigue in the beginning of the journey itself.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Here’s what BHPian<\/strong> CArspeed<\/strong> had to say on the matter:<\/p>\n The advice the medical practitioners (Gastro as well as Ortho) gave me was to stretch every 2.5 hours for a minimum of 10 minutes each if not more. This gives enough time for blood circulation, lowering blood pressure, lowering heat to develop in and around anal muscles, relaxation of all muscles particularly the lower back, shoulder, sciatica and wrist.<\/p>\n It\u2019s better to avoid caffeine and consume coconut water atleast once. Lastly I give myself a shower in lukewarm water after the long journey irrespective of the time.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Here’s what BHPian Turbohead<\/strong> had to say on the matter:<\/p>\n Here’s my personal opinion:<\/p>\n Take a break well before you feel tired. This is to ensure that you will feel refreshed after a 5-10 minute break or else you’ll end up resting more to recover better. Again this is completely dependent on your body and only you know your body best.<\/p>\n Pushing till your tired is fine as long as you have someone else to take over.<\/p>\n As far as mechanical empathy is concerned, if your vehicle is maintained properly with fluids changed on time, you should be fine to let the engine run even for 24 hours. Engines love to run at operating temperature and under operating conditions. Most cars today run at 2000-3000 RPM at 100kmph which should be fine for extended periods. If you’re someone who goes pedal to the metal, ensure that the first (especially for cold start) and last 15 minutes of your drive is taken very gently with a light foot. Just remember that wear and tear at operating temperatures with low loads.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Here’s what BHPian Axe77<\/strong> had to say on the matter:<\/p>\n Not getting into outlier scenarios but whether its riding or driving, I generally need at least a short break every 2 hours or so. Anything more than that and I start feeling tired or on longer journeys even drowsy.<\/p>\n I measure rest requirements usually in \u201ctime\u201d spent terms and not kms since it\u2019s my need more than (\/ sooner than) the vehicle\u2019s.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Here’s what BHPian Divya Sharan<\/strong> had to say on the matter:<\/p>\n I feel the timing of the journey also plays a huge role in determining fatigue.<\/p>\n In my Bangalore to Bokaro drives every year (2000 km each way), I prefer starting as early as 3 AM and reach Adilabad for instance (900-925 km) by 4:30 or 5 PM at most.<\/p>\n Starting super early means I see not much traffic for around 3-4 hours. That is usually the longest part of the drive without breaks, because I drive slower at night (75-85 kph). The first break is for a solid 30 min for breakfast + loo.<\/p>\n Thereafter, it is every 2 hours or so for stretching\/food\/refuel while still keeping the A pedal moderately happy (95-105 kph). Driving a Punto 1.4 automatically teaches you good A pedal manners.<\/p>\n The fact that I reach my planned destination so early in the evening means I don’t have to strain my eyes from oncoming lights when the body is already tired from my whole day of driving. I take bath at whichever hotel I’m parked at and hit the bed by 8 PM and start the next morning again by 3 AM.<\/p>\n There is a point here though – because I stop by 5 PM or so each day, I usually end up in\/around Ranchi at the end of day 2, leaving 150-180 km for the 3rd day. But I’m more comfortable this way and reach home in a relatively better state of mind and body. I even pamper myself by starting as late as 5 or 6 AM on the last leg of the drive to catch on some extra rest.<\/p>\n Having ridden the same route multiple times and also many long rides all over India, I have learned that one cannot teach the body to not be tired in merely a day or two of catching good sleep\/rest.<\/p>\n One has to be well rested for at least a full week (6-8 hours daily) before embarking on any long drive\/ride. And slowly the body adapts over multiple runs and builds endurance.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Here’s what BHPian AMG Power<\/strong> had to say on the matter:<\/p>\n Car engines don\u2019t need to be switched off unless the car has been put to undue stress such as (1) on a race track red lining in every gear or(2) strenuous loads such as very steep hills and (3) the most strenuous – city traffic as otherwise car engines can go on and on if on a regular highway with normal ambient temperatures. So you have nothing to worry about the engine.<\/p>\n In fact it is better not to shut down the engine as switching off the engine would lead to condensation of gases which progressively dilutes engine oil. The only reason to switch off the engine is for you to take a break.<\/p>\n As for taking a break it is purely dependent on the individual. What works for one person will not work for another. You need to figure what is your interval and stick to that.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.<\/p>\n Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n
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