Asslam-O-Alaikum all,
I hope you people are doing well. I also hope I am posting to the right forum for guidance.
I am planning a trip to Murree at the end of this month with my family IA. This is for the first time I am driving up to Murree. I already have driven to & from Harnoi, Abottabad. I also once came back from Murree using expressway (didn't drive on my way up ). Considering it to be my first driving trip towards Murree, I am feeling a bit anxious and want to get as much information as I can.
I have a cultus vxl 2008 model with new brakes installed. I'll get my engine tuned, wheels balanced & aligned and a check up of the car before leaving. I am not planning to drive during the night. So which route will be preferable; old or expressway? I have already read a few posts on this topic but failed to identify one route for me. Some say that ascend is very steep on expressway near Murree and can heat up the engine. My car has a history of heating up once two years ago.
Pakwheeler Kashif has given some info regarding this which goes like this: "you have another choice that would some easier regarding drive though it has a diversion of about 10 km but for new drivers I will recommend that you opt express way but at the point mussiari where the road straight climbs up to jhika gali, you must go straight instead of turning left to murree , the road will take you up to the point topa ask around about jhika gali that is about 10 km from here. hope you will enjoy the road. It is wider and levelled than mussiari route." According to Kashif I can get in a spot of bother if I miss the road.
Feeling confused, please guide me.
Secondly some people say that use a small gear while descending. From my experience while descending from Harnoi, I experienced that engine starts making a lot of noise if I stick to lower gears. So guide me in this regard as well.
Looking forward to your suggestions.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Haroon
P.S. I'll ask questions after you reply to clear any confusion left so please bear with me