Before a big road trip...

AFTER making my way to my parent's home, I picked up the keys to take my car for her service. The Charlie, short for Charlize, is garaged there instead of the apartment complex where my small family stays because of the lack of parking and a ridiculous design flaw at the car parks beneath the building preventing anything remotely sporty from getting any shade or cover. As I hopped into the car I was especially keen to get going because Boustead Sdn Bhd, the Nissan dealer for Brunei Darussalam had organised for all the cars heading out on a special road trip to be checked and promotional prices on any parts that need replacing.

Except things didn't go exactly as planned. Despite the dial on the volt meter (the Z cars have oil pressure and trip data too as standard for quite some time now) pointing towards enough juice in the battery to fire up the car the engine refused to start. This wasn't the first time, and to be honest after the Charlie's first car battery packing it in two years in, I should have realised that going three years on the current battery wasn't a policy that would be paying me any real dividends.

After a few goes, the Charlie finally fired up, thanks to our Land Cruiser and her trusty jumper cables, to make our way and join the 14 or so other cars that would be travelling north. Again this part of the plan kept fouling up, as I trundled through the traffic and roundabouts leading to the Beribi Industrial area where the showroom was located the car's temperature gauge began creeping up. A quick phone call to a friend with a nearby workshop and the Charlie was parked, hood up to cool off. The car didn't overheat, let me get that straight, it was something else that had failed and caused the Charlie a bit of grief.

After letting her cool off, we checked to see if the fans that dispense the heat from the car were working, and they just sat there, stoic and unmoving, it wasn't the best of starts but I was determined to get her to Boustead to make sure everything else was in well working order. By then she had cooled off sufficiently that I could make the last leg of what is usually a short trip to the Boustead service bays without having to worry, all I needed to do was replace the battery to get her going again.

Once at the Nissan Performance Centre, which handles the servicing of many a GTR that prowl the streets of Brunei, I got straight to the point with the technicians. An old battery wasn't the only thing I had been meaning to change on the car, the car's belting was next on my list, ensuring the fluids were topped up, such as the coolant, power steering, were also on the cards. The filter will need to be cleaned before we embark on the 3 day two night road trip too, so that it can take in as much of the cool mountain air that Brunei doesn't have, and that I am sure the Charlie will most definitely enjoy.

The more pressing thing was that my airconditioning (A/C) compressor was down and out for the count, and so were the engine fans I had mentioned earlier. While the A/C isn't vital, the fans were critical, without them the temperature build up would literally roast the engine and with it the Charlie's very heart and soul. Fortunately the parts were available and after getting my preferred M-Oil, the Charlie was up and running like normal as soon as the Hijrah long weekend was over.

It really puts into context how important it is to keep your car well maintained. Even cars that are religiously maintained will encounter odds and ends that need replacing, and a big journey such as the one I'm joining Boustead on is route taken by many Bruneians.

Having said that I know many Bruneians who don't take the time to look after their vehicles and intend to make the trip anyway. While the ferry from Serasa to Labuan, and then from there to Menumbok means that there is less driving than those who take strictly the land route, it doesn't mean that you should leave anything to chance with your cars.

During the servicing day hosted by Boustead for participants of "The Z Drive 2011 - the Highlander", for the older vehicles batteries was just the starting point, brakes were checked and made sure to be in good working order, tyre conditions, lights, indicators, clutches, transmissions everything that will be required of a strenous drive, least of all one that takes cars to high terrain and the only mountain driving roads accessible to Bruneian cars.

Even after checking the vehicles ensure that you plan for any contingencies, while many people rely on GPS and satellite navigation, if you're in an area that isn't ventured through very often, take the time to get the latest map or maps for the area. It may not have been uploaded onto the application used by your phone or sat nav service.

Bring spares, of whatever you think you may need. Road trips to KK may not have vehicle specific items, spark plugs, tyres, a whole host of things comes to mind. The Brunei Z Owners' Club participating in the Boustead Z Drive have prepared themselves by bringing spare rear and front tyres, spare engine fans, batteries, and Boustead will also be providing support with three of their own vehicles.

Don't leave anything to chance, especially when it's something that is under your control. Once you've made all the necessary checks, plotted out your journey, don't forget to inform your dearest and family, of your trip and keep in touch with them as you make your way. Last but not least, when you're making good time on any long journey or road trip, don't forget to enjoy the ride.The Brunei Times