Atif

1 hour ago, Srikumar said:

If you are driving within the city, this would be the mileage. If cruising on the highway at around 100 kmph you will get about 8 - 8.5 km/l

That seems right as my 4.0 prado is 7Km/litre average (urban+highway) in winters. Slightly less when returning from the desert ofcourse and during summers due to more AC usage. So may go down to 6K/ltr.

18 minutes ago, Gaurav said:

So convenient 😂

https://www.thedrive.com/news/31137/2021-mercedes-maybach-gls-out-chromes-and-out-glams-the-competition

28 minutes ago, Amit0103 said:

Team ! let me start with a BIG thank you to all of you !

this was my 2nd new bee trip this Friday and the first one as a driver- the last one – I was a silent spectator and an accompanied driver with @Navinchandar – thanks to him that I gathered the courage to get my car (without the insurance- it should have) – the excitement and the energy I felt in the first gathering was more enough to get me going and wake up this Friday for the drive !

I would like to share my experience as a new comer and my reflections on my learnings and observations from the day-

• Warmth and Friendly Welcome:-

  • this group has tremendous warmth and welcome and not even a single person I met (first time and this time) who is not welcoming and not an amazing support to the new members ! so guys – 3 cheers to all of you for being so good !

  • @Rahimdad - that big hug is surely a big warm welcome

• Amazing patience from all other seniors for the briefing and waiting it to finish for the new bee:-

  • I would like to highlight this point really- as I saw how the whole group listening to the detailed briefing to me given by @Srikumarand the expert comments from everyone- till they all felt that I have been briefed extensively well and was mentally ready for the first drive with them.

• Small and important tips from seniors and @Atif bhai – on 2^nd lead – this was informative as I learnt that though the 1^st commander and his leads are important in the convoy- its also important for everyone to keep an eye on the 2^nd lead and they shared the right reasons for the same – which made perfect sense for a new bee like me !

• Right sequence of the convoy- to ‘protect’ the new bee –

  • The sequence of the convoy was strategically placed – keeping in mind – me and my car are protected and are covered from any possible danger as the first time driver- I was placed at the 3^rd position just after @dri and @atif bhai and was followed by the most experienced person in the group @Rahimdad – thanks to all of you for making me feel so safe and protected from the very start ! really appreciate !

     

• Amazing leadership – for @Srikumar and @Rahimdad –

  • Guys- I am sure you know this and have noticed but these 2 gentleman are amazing leaders and gives you goosebumps with everything they do ! from planning to being there for you and from engagement to helping you out in any situation and from guiding and taking the first risk on themselves and encouraging you to do your best and push yourself and the limits we have in our mind and making us believe- “we can do it” – big applause to both of you and others too !

  • Things to note and learn from @Srikumar-

    • Looking at the new routes which are full of fun and adrenaline rush

    • Keeping an eye on the new bee - he actually was driving as a lead- and making sure i 'follow the tracks in the right way'

    • Keeping an eye on the ‘other adventurous groups’ that may be a potential disruptor on our way! giving a heads up warning to all of us

    • Driving himself a manual along with talking on the radio!

    • Wow ! what an amazing coordination and leadership skills – hawk eyes !

       

• @Rahimdad –

  • Thanks for taking us to the next spots ‘the big red’ and not letting me drive right now - really appreciate-

  • It was amazing to learn about the start of the journey and how did this group came to this point – I really enjoyed learning the history of carnity and the group’s accomplishments !

  • Your insights and amazing tips – learnt a lot from you in that an hour ! first hand experience of sitting beside a legendary driver – priceless !!

  • Playing and also keeping an eye on everyone-

  • Making sure everyone is with the convoy and well taken care of

     

• People do got stuck and everyone came over to help each other !

  • We played and some of us played more and extra and when we got stuck – even in less than a few minutes- we saw people coming and helping you out to take you out of the situations- saw how to use a shovel and how do we tow away a car- just saw and did not participate as I really didn’t know what to do in those situations ! but next time- if need be- I will !

Breakfast !- another best part-

• @Atif bhai – getting the ‘karark chai’ for everyone ! that early morning ! hats off ! that was super needed during the break

• And yes no one can forget the aaloo paranthas and the love behind and how its been served ! thanks @Rahimdad –

• Plus super good snacks from everyone else, the nutrella roles- thanks !

• Stories over chai’s and snacks -Also @mert  – thanks for sharing your experience in bumping up with me and @navin in our office and marking you during your serious presentation it was pleasantly surprising to see and meet you 3^rd time in less than a week a small world for sure

• And yes, to all their contributions and sharing more about different markets in Sharjah and where to find what !

• Plus ‘the washing machine’ and the lassi (sweet laban) stories-

  • All those who missed- we can surely ask the group to repeat

@gaurav- missed meeting you in person- but we will catch up soon I hope- at one point we thought you were there in the same dunes but with another group there was someone just like you – that the group thought it was you ! you must have got some hikups while we were talking about you (all good things for sure)

Photos and videos:-

PS:-As new enthusiastic- and as everything is new to me and anything I see for the first time- I grab my phone and start taking photos and videos – I took some photos ! and these are not to mark anyone or any situation- but if any of you feel I should not upload these- I will delete them from my phone and here-

Thanks for the detailed report, well driven for a newbie!

Just now, Emmanuel said:

@Atif thanks for your nice photos but it’s better if you post them directly in the gallery. 

Yes I couldn't locate it😀

54 minutes ago, Gaurav said:

SSSSSShhhhh......! Dont tell this secret to wifeys, or else this is THE ONLY way they can loose weight and will force us to replace gym membership with space travel ticket.

Then you just have to tell them that some fat moves up to the face for them to change their mind😀.

Also there are some who wouldn't mind a one way ticket to the moon for their wives🤣. 
 

Just thought I would share my story of using scrapped/ second hand parts. Last week my 2006 Camry with over 270k KM started jerking. At first I thought it was my choice of music! Upon diagnosis it turned out that one ignition coil was faulty. The closest mechanic to the place installed a new one for AED 235. Next morning my Camry was still out of beat! Was suggested by the one mechanic to get second hand ones from scrap. The scrap guy had hundreds and tried out at least 10 before identifying ones that were working. Took AED 50 each for 3.

A week goes by fine and then slight jerking makes my kids leave the car in their work place. Had to drive it back from business bay to Ajman with slight jerks when starting to move. 
This time around I got better price from Samira Ajman AED 175 each and changed the three. Appears to have solved the issue. Car is humming and hope it wasn't any other issue.

I am sure the experienced guys in the forum will find quite a lot of errors in my inexperienced ways but from now I will take advice prior to taking decision on second hand parts.

Well the best part would be to loose a few kilos without exercising in less than 90 minutes 😂

Congratulations @Thomas J. Hope to see you soon!

Congratulations @Ale Vallecchi! See you soon!

Congratulations @Mikhail Lukichev! Hope to see you soon!

4 hours ago, sertac said:

I have my 2009 SLK fully insured by AXA. Last year also it was AXA and it was full insurance. This year other companies didnt qoute for full insurance, only AXA offered keeping the same package. 

I recommend AXA if they are offering comprehensive for 2009 model vehicles.

26 minutes ago, Gaurav said:

Call RTA and ask for procedure to change insurance on the registration card. Its doable. 

Then cancel the current insurance and go for RSA or AXA insurance. Just before you cancel check with RSA or AXA if they offer you comprehensive insurance for your car model year, as they have certain rules depending on driver background and how many cars you have with them.

I have 2009 model with  comprehensive insurance, but heard from a friend that they are not offering comprehensive for more than 5-7 years of age of cars.

Yes AXA start refusing after 5-7 years unless you have a second newer car. Even then definitely no comprehensive insurance by AXA after 10 years. 
I have recently switched from AXA to Tokio Marine based on price and they have confirmed coverage for offroad and recovery too for my Prado but cannot confirm about a 2009 model vehicle. 

Well done @Halit Mert Issever! 

13 hours ago, Gaurav said:

Also intention to steer left than climbing up as desertdude rightly mentioned would have saved it completely.

Yes this appears to be the issue.

8 minutes ago, sertac said:

It is bit old  1999

Haha...then nothing to worry at all...carry a spare engine, shocks and gearbox that's all😀.

Just kidding, as @Rahimdad Bhai said, you know best!

On 11/10/2019 at 6:50 PM, sertac said:

Looks like you guys had amazing drive. I want to join every week than i am changing my mind. I was so fearless with Cherokee. Now with Grand Cherokee i am so afraid to break it. It is very solid daily so far, i am just too afraid to see it breaks like Cherokee. 

Sertac, I had the same feeling with my Prado so I am mostly attending the newbie / fewbie drive. So far I have managed to keep it without incident i.e. My front bumper has made it through! If your Grand Cherokee is not very old then I don't think it should be much of an issue. However, I don't know much about the vehicle so take my advice at your own risk😀.

Perhaps @Gaurav Bhai and @Rahimdad Bhai can advise. Also our Carnity brother @Brette has a Grand Cherokee that is new and, with very few modifications, is doing very well.

2 hours ago, Asif Hussain said:

@Atif bhai congrats... time to modify your ride now..

Thanks and yes it has to be done but I am looking at the most economical option and one that keeps my vehicle street legal. I suppose it will only be after I bury  my front bumper in the desert 😀. 

Why Chinese are dominating the market!

1 hour ago, Gaurav said:

Congratulations @Shamil for reaching the Intermediate level with Carnity Offroad club. 

As per your last Fewbie+ drive, you have shown tremendous progress and well deserve this new offroad rank. 

Looking forward to seeing you growing further and helping others to learn the art of offroading in a safe environment.

Keep up your great contribution on the forum and get socially involved in the newbie and fewbie drives to impart your knowledge.

Once you have all the gear required, you are most welcome to join the intermediate level drives with Carnity offroad club.

Intermediate:

Number of drives	10 (26 regular drives)
Level of drives	Willingness to learn + Enthusiasm + Basic dune & sand reading
Off-road gear	Flag, deflator, tire gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio, compressor, tool kit, tow rope (recommended)
Drive teamwork	Help in recoveries under Marshal / Crew supervision
Drive posting/joining	Join newbie, fewbie & intermediate level of drives only
Forum participation	Active participation on forum. Share drive experience + feedback on forum and pictures in gallery + drive and route suggestions

 Social media sharing & inviting friends & family to join offroad club is recommended for faster upgrades at all levels. 

Well done @Shamil! Nice to have you as a regular in Carnity.

39 minutes ago, Julien V said:

Congratulations @Atif. I know that you deserve it. You're always here to help. Thanks for your kindness & your mini chai bar.

Can't say anymore because of my broken English....

See you next time.

Thanks @Julien V. It was good to have met you again after last season.