Story by Tet Andolong / Photos by Randy S. Peregrino
DRIVING up the mountains can be fun and enjoyable but it can also be exhausting—both for the driver and the vehicle. Driving on mountain roads can be challenging because of the blind curves, steep hills, zigzags, weather conditions and possible landslides. There are instances when it could even be dangerous to drive in the mountains especially at night.
Baguio is a famous destination during Holy Week because of its cool weather. Another reason more people are going there now is because the travel time has been cut from two hours and 30 minutes to just 45 minutes through the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway. Before the 88.5-kilometer TPLEx was constructed, it would take about six hours from Manila to Baguio. Today, with the newly opened Pozorrubio, Pangasinan Exit, you can be in Baguio in just three and a half hours.
Now let me give you some advice if you are planning to drive up there and brave the traffic, especially if this is your first time. Before you hit the road, make sure that you do a complete safety check of your vehicle. Get a tune-up especially if it’s been more than a year since your last. Check your battery and check your fluid levels. Check your oil, spare tire, windshield wipers, heater and exhaust systems. They should all be in good condition. Fill up your fuel as there are no gas stations along Kennon Road and Marcos Highway. Nothing could be worse than to run out of gas or have a car break down far from home. Vacations should be fun and relaxing but the difference between pleasure and agony often lies in whether or not you took the proper steps to get ready for the trip.
Here are some safety tips for your trip to Baguio:
Check your brakes. Make sure that your brake and transmission fluids are filled up. Brake fluid, as it ages, takes on moisture and contaminants that lower its boiling level. Frequent brake use can overheat the fluid, which can lose its efficiency when it is most needed. Also check the tread on your tires and ensure that they are properly inflated.
Downshift to a lower gear on steep upgrades. If your vehicle is struggling to climb up, shift into a lower gear so that you can maintain a consistent speed. Turn off your air conditioning and roll your windows down if you’re traveling up a particularly steep grade, since running the air-con puts an additional strain on your engine that can cause it to overheat. When you’ve reached the high peak, give your car a chance to cool down by letting the engine idle for a few minutes, which will help minimize the chance of overheating.
Watch the temperature gauge in your vehicle. If it starts to overheat, turn off the air-conditioning and if you need to cool the engine, find a safe place to pull over on the side of the road. Park your vehicle but don’t turn off the engine. Never remove a hot radiator cap. You may spray the radiator with water until temperatures go back to normal but don’t spray water directly on the engine or else the internals will warp. Add water and coolant only when the engine has cooled down.
Don’t go down a mountain road any faster than you can go up. Shift to low gear. Don’t use your brakes to hold your downhill speed. Steep uphill and downhill grades can put an extra strain on your vehicle’s main components, from your engine to your brakes. The only time you should step on your brake pedal is to slow while you are shifting down to a lower gear.
Don’t “hug” the center line. If you are hugging the center line, and another center-hugging vehicle comes around a curve from the opposite direction, you and the other driver may overcorrect and create a hazardous situation.
Always remember that the car going uphill should be given the right-of-way. Always allow plenty of time for passing vehicles to make it back to their lane. Keep in mind that higher elevations diminish a vehicle’s available horsepower, and your car may not perform as well as it does at sea level.
Always carry extra drinking water and remember to drink fluids throughout the day. At higher elevations, insufficient hydration can lead to the onset of symptoms of altitude sickness. Even if they’re mild, they can affect your alertness.
In the event of rain or heavy fog, slow down. Do not speed up. Be alert, be more observant and demonstrate extra road courtesy. If other drivers appear to be in a hurry, let them pass. They might have an emergency. Another courtesy to remember when in conditions of reduced visibility or at night is to dim your high beams as soon as you see an oncoming vehicle. Hampering the other driver’s night vision is more dangerous when there’s a cliff involved.
Have a safe trip and a meaningful Holy Week!
Image credits: Randy S. Peregrino