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Published on August 29, 2007

It is not that I use that airline exclusively, but my experiences with budget carriers have often been horrible. I have used them half a dozen times, and each flight was delayed, normally by as long as an hour.

Two years ago, I had to travel from Hat Yai to Bangkok and from there to Trat. The airline postponed the connecting flight. However, ground staff told me it was on schedule and that I would be safely on Koh Chang on time.

Eventually, I was told the connecting flight would not be going that day, but I was offered a free night in a Bangkok hotel and a ticket to Trat the next day.

But I had an event to attend in Trat on that day, not the day after - and I live in Bangkok.

I told myself that if it was not necessary, I would no longer take low-cost airlines - no matter which. I did not want to risk being upset and inconvenienced again. If I know in advance there will not be a THAI flight, I drive.

So in the past two years, I have been driving upcountry a lot despite my age.

Last week, I had business in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. I drove my son's Isuzu Mu7 sport-utility vehicle - I had a lot of things to donate to schools located high in the mountains, and the route included winding tarmac and dirt roads.

From Doi Mae Salong to Doi Angkang, the engine had to work hard due to the mud, and I had to shift into 4-low and use it for long distances.

Along the route locals use to transport produce from the mountains, conditions were pretty bad with thick mud, while much of the road had been washed away. I had to drive carefully, at low speed. Using 4-low, it took almost an hour to cover 10 kilometres.

The orange automatic-transmission-oil temperature-warning light showed. The transmission oil was getting hot. I found a place to park and kept the engine running.

After five minutes, the warning light went out, so I continued driving carefully and kept an eye on it. It did not go on again and, after I completed my mission in the mountains two days later, I had the transmission fluid replaced in Chiang Mai before driving safely back to Bangkok.

This event made me think about how modern automobiles have pretty accurate checking and warning systems, and if drivers would learn how they worked and pay attention when warning lights came on, then vehicle damage could be easily prevented.

In my case, if I had continued driving with the warning light on, I would have had to deal with expensive transmission repairs. In fact, my son had missed a transmission-fluid top-up, and the oil level was lower than normal.

Luckily, the warning light illuminated, and I stopped to cool the fluid. This is one benefit of keeping an eye on the dashboard.

Today's automobiles come with warning systems. So every time before you start the engine, turn the ignition key to the "on" position and leave it there for about 10 seconds, in order to allow the system to run its checks. When the lights all go out, you can start the engine.

With the Mu7, I turn to "on" and let the air-bag warning light blink seven times, then start the engine. If I start the engine right away without stopping at the "on" position, the system may not finish checking, and I will never know for sure whether the air bag is working properly.

So bear this in mind, read the owner's manual and follow the instructions before starting the engine.

n E-mail your motoring questions to Pattanadesh@nationgroup.com.

Ultimate in Luxury

The Luxury LS 460 is a wonderfully comfaortable car fitted with all mod cons, althoough not necessarily the most fun vehicle to drive.