• Fuel level
• Coolant level
• Engine oil level
• Tyre pressure
• Brake and clutch fluid level
• Doors are firmly closed

• Driver seat
• ear view mirrors

• Gear shift lever is in neutral position.
• All switches and lamps are working.
• Brake fail indicator is ‘OFF’
• Fuel level indicated on fuel gauge is above reserve tank.

• Low oil pressure indicator light goes ‘OFF’
• Battery charging indicator light goes ‘OFF’
• ENSURE THAT PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED (INDICATOR LAMP ‘OFF’)
• VEHICLE IS NOW READY FOR A DRIVE.
• DO NOT ALLOW VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK ON GRADIENTS.

• Avoid rapid acceleration and prolonged high speed running of the engine.
• Avoid sudden braking.
• Retighten wheel nuts to 12-15 mkg. torque after first 100 km of running of a new vehicle and after every wheel change.

• Depress clutch pedal fully before shifting gears. This will ensure longer synchro cone life.
• For smooth starting of vehicle without jerks, synchronise release of clutch pedal with pressing of accelerator pedal.
• Start the vehicle in first gear only.
• Change gear at appropriate speed and do not lug the engine by too early shifting to higher gear at low speeds

• Engage reverse gear, only when vehicle is stationary.
• Depress clutch pedal fully before engaging the reverse gear. Wait for a few seconds then engage the gear. If gear shifting does not occur, then release the clutch pedal, once again press the clutch pedal and engage the reverse gear.

• While braking on turns apply brakes gently.
• Before driving down a long steep gradient, reduce vehicle speed by changing to lower gear.
• Do not ride the brakes as they may overheat and their performance may be impaired.
• Do not use half engaged clutch to hold the vehicle on up gradient as this will result in premature clutch failure.
• After driving through pockets of water, apply the brake a few timesat low speed to get rid of moisture inside the brake drums.
• When it beings to rain, reduce vehicle speed and avoid sudden braking.

1. Drive smoothly, accelerate gradually and anticipate stops.
2. Best fuel consumption is obtained at low engine speeds in the highest possible gear without labouring the engine.
3. Driving with accelerator pedal fully depressed means using excessive fuel.
4. Do not allow the engine labour by too early high gear changes. Change to lower gear when engine no longer runs smoothly.
5. If possible, do not idle the engine for more than 5 minutes. Switch off the engine.
6. Do not ride the clutch. Do not use clutch pedal as foot rest.
7. Depending on traffic conditions, a constant speed should be maintained.The vehicle uses more fuel, every time you speed up or slow down.
8. Hard braking, abrupt cornering and rapid acceleration use more fuel. Avoid these.

DRIVING IN ADVERSE CONDITION

Driving on Snowy or Icy Roads

Select the lower gear. Gently release the clutch and apply the accelerator for a smooth start and to avoid wheel spin.

Maintain a safe distance between vehicles to avoid sudden braking and slow down by shifting down the gears. Avoid sudden acceleration, braking or turning. Such sharp manoeuvres can cause loss of traction and thereby loss of vehicle control.

• Try to maintain a constant engine speed and avoid sudden acceleration which can cause wheel spin and loss of traction, possibly leading to bogging down of the vehicle.
• If the vehicle gets stuck in loose sand, do not keep on accelerating as the wheel spin will only result in the wheels sinking deeper.

• Never venture to drive through water when it flows over guard stones.
• Engine may get seriously damaged if attempted to cross over through deep water.
• If at all the situation demands that you have to drive through water then;

• Keep engine in fast idling and crawl the vehicle in low gear.
• After driving through water apply brakes several times to dry liners and to regain original braking.
  Do not attempt to start the engine if vehicle gets flooded due to water.

• Tow the vehicle to a safe place.
• Take the vehicle to nearest AUTHORISED Workshop to check entry of water in cylinders.
• It will also be necessary to replace lubricants of engine, gearbox, transfer case, front axle and rear axle if water has entered.
• Get the starter and alternator checked.

• Check brakes, steering and windows.
• Check tyres for wear and tyre pressure.
• Check wiper blades for proper functioning.
• Avoid harsh braking and sharp turns. It may cause loss of control and lead to a skid.
• For slowing down, shift to lower gears and brake gently.
• Keep lights ON if visibility is poor.
  

• Dip the head lamp for oncoming traffic during night driving.
• Maintain a speed such that you can stop within illuminated distance of head lamps.
• Use head lamp main/dip beam to alert other road users on turns/cross roads etc.
• Use side indicators for lane change or turning.
• Put on hazard warning switch in case of hazardous parking or if your vehicle is disabled to warn the passing traffic.

• Select the lower gear and start off smoothly. Apply power gently so there is no loss of traction by over-revving of the engine.
• Choose as smooth a slope as possible and select the appropriate gear so that gear changing in the middle of the climb is not required. Changing gears in the middle of the climb can cause loss of momentum and engine stalling. Shifting to lower gear has to be done cautiously to avoid loss of traction.
• Under no conditions should the vehicle be moved diagonally across a hill. The danger is in loss of traction and sideways slippage, possibly resulting in tipping over. If unavoidable, choose as mild an angle as possible and keep the vehicle moving.
• If the wheels start to slip within few feet of the end of the climb, motion can be maintained by swinging the steered wheels left and right, thereby providing increased grip.
• If the vehicle stalls or losses headway while climbing a steep hill, make a quick shift to reverse and allow the vehicle to move back with the control of engine compression.

• Select the lower gear and depending on the severity of the gradient, shift into appropriate gear. Use engine braking judiciously without over-revving the engine.
• Brake application under such situations should be done very smoothly to avoid loss of control. Select appropriate gear so that gear changing or clutch disengagement is not involved while descending the gradient.

• For towing the vehicle, the best way is to use a recovery van.
• Alternatively use a rigid tow bar.
• Avoid using flexible cable or rope as your vehicle may crash into towing vehicle when it stops suddenly.
• Switch ‘ON’ Hazard warning switch to warn the other road users.
• Keep the engine in idling so that power steering assistance is available. This will also built the vacuum for the brakes.
• In case of brake failure, use parking brake to control the vehicle.

• Remove advance warning triangle from case and assemble.
• Place the triangle on the road behind the vehicle when it stranded on the road. The triangle must be at least 50 meters behind the vehicle in the same lane of traffic.
• Increase the distance to 150 meters on a highway or if a bad/hill top obscures the view.