I took a decision to go on a long trip to north from Okara to Khunjerab Pass via Naran/Babusar top. Here is my experience and expense for the fuel, toll etc.
August 2, 2023:
Day 1: Begun our journey at 6PM and did first stop at Bhera.
Day 2: Did a second stop at Mansehra service area North. Reached Naran at 8AM. The road after Hazara Expressway is in bad shape, took 4 hours for this 100KM patch.
Day 3: Departed for Babusar Pass, stayed on the way for tea, reached Chilas at 4PM, had lunch and moved on to Hunza, reached there at 8PM.
Day 4: At 10AM, Departed for Khunjerab Pass, Pak-China Border. Reached there at 1PM.
Returned with the same pattern.
We were 3 adults and 2 children in the car with two bags of luggage in the small boot space.
Petrol Price: Rs. 274/L.
Toll Taxes: Rs. 2,000.
Total Distance covered: 2,375KM.
Speed maintained on Motorway (M2, M1 and E35): 100KM/H.
Tyres: Stock Euro Tycoon 145/80/R13 and 32PSI in all 4 tyres.
It took 112L of petrol giving us a 21KM/L average while driving at D gear in all situations (AC was used on Motorways and Chilas area only). No issues in going uphill on return to Babusar pass, it went in 2nd gear on uphill, just kept distance from the car in front of you.
Never had any issues, only brake pads got hot at Babusar Pass when going downhill. Even our GLi which was also with us got them hot even after driving in gear, due to steep downward curves, RPM goes to 5K in gear so had to brake ocassionally. No issues in Khunjrab pass uphill and downhill because any card can come down in gear (2nd or 3rd) without issues.
No tiredness when you keep enjoying beatiful scenery. If anyone planning to go in Alto, keep a good quality pillows for rear passengers, do check brakes, brake fluid and coolant by a qualified technician before beggining your journey.
Really impressed with the performance of Alto in northern areas. For anyone wondering, I maintain my car outside dealership, using genuine Oil & Air filters, fully synthetic 5w30 engine oil, change intervals 5000-5500KM.
At the end some tips for anyone planning to go:
1- Fill petrol from a trusted station.
2- Plan your journey ahead of time.
3- Drive carefully in mountains, keep distance, never overtake at curves, only when you see clear road ahead of you.
4- Drive in center of road, if there's sign of falling rocks and you see empty road.
5- Keep one or two pillows in car.
6- Check brake, fluids (brake fluid, coolant, engine oil).
7- Keep your speed low in areas like Babusar Pass and China Border where steep uphill with curves.
Thank you for reading this.
