NNPC MAKURDI

lomomike:
nice pics bro, but in cartalk we preach safety 1st too so please we love you so do your family, instead of driving and taking pictures get someone in your car and direct him when to take some pictures so you dont lose control of your car and get involved in a mishap. thanks..

I've tried to document my long distance trips but it hasn't been easy controlling the wheels and taking pictures at the same time. I think I will look for a spy camera with steering wheel controls or something.

@OP drive safely

kablooee: Some narrow ekiti road.

All the way from Efon-Erio-Aramoko-Ijero-Kabba....one needs to be very careful when overtaking on that road.

Just reading through your inspiring post and I just wouldn’t have thought that a Ford Puma would have been resilient enough to do that road trip, considering our roads. Furthermore it was discontinued in 2001, so your car is at least 13/14 years old, how long have you had it for I must say it looks pristine.

aieromon:

All the way from Efon-Erio-Aramoko-Ijero-Kabba....one needs to be very careful when overtaking on that road.

You can say that again.

komekn: Just reading through your inspiring post and I just wouldn’t have thought that a Ford Puma would have been resilient enough to do that road trip, considering our roads. Furthermore it was discontinued in 2001, so your car is at least 13/14 years old, how long have you had it for I must say it looks pristine.

I've got a 330D diesel engine BMW which is my new "toy" and a wrangler Sahara for off road but my love for this puma knows no bound. Tnx komekn

Am back to abuja now. Journey BTW makurdi and Abuja is very annoying because of the multiple road blocks, every 2km and sometimes less u have some annoying road blocks. Will leave for Lagos on Saturday. Network is better here. I'll start uploading pix and complete them when I return home.

Meet the puma zetec engine. The never tiring engine.

Ok, got up rather late that faithful day, already had my things packed d previous night. Besides d regular engine checks, the most important thing to me when going on a long trip are my tyres, when I've new tyres they increase my confidence. I don't eat breakfast when embarking on trips. Left the house exactly 0810hrs

kablooee:

I've got a 330D diesel engine BMW which is my new "toy" and a wrangler Sahara for off road but my love for this puma knows no bound. Tnx komekn

You impress me beyond words, firstly one of the few Nigerians who hasn’t accepted the rubbish put out by Nigerian mechanics as to the viability of using a diesel car in Nigeria, the 330d engine is stupendously economical and robust (real mileage cruncher)

Secondly, how do you with our dusty roads keep that engine bay so clean I am amazed?

Finally, I have done a fair amount of road trips across Europe and in the US. You are re-igniting my interest, about 5/6 years ago I tried to organise a road trip London to Lagos, I had some ex army girls (Ghanaian origin) who were seriously committed but shockingly all the guys dropped out (fear of the unknown )

komekn:


You impress me beyond words, firstly one of the few Nigerians who hasn’t accepted the rubbish put out by Nigerian mechanics as to the viability of using a diesel car in Nigeria, the 330d engine is stupendously economical and robust (real mileage cruncher)

Secondly, how do you with our dusty roads keep that engine bay so clean I am amazed?

Finally, I have done a fair amount of road trips across Europe and in the US. You are re-igniting my interest, about 5/6 years ago I tried to organise a road trip London to Lagos, I had some ex army girls (Ghanaian origin) who were seriously committed but shockingly all the guys dropped out (fear of the unknown )

Thanks for the comments, I go for what I like irrespective of what some shoddy mechanics think about it. Got the BMW last year and words can't describe the performance and the fuel economy is also very good.
Done a couple of trips with it also.

About my engine bay, I clean it out when I've got free time. 30mins is more than enough.

Approaching Lagos toll gate, irrespective of the time you get here, you see people asking for ride outside Lagos, I wonder why they don't go to the designated parks and prefer to stand here.

Traffic was free at Redeem..... Good to go

Road construction about 20km to shagamu bridge, traffic traffic all the way. I got really upset cos it was longer than the usual traffic here

Still in traffic.

kablooee: Still in traffic.

I was in that hold up for almost 2hrs on sun, the road is narrow and once a vehicle breaks down it causes build up of more traffic.

Finally out of traffic approaching sagamu Junction.

After sagamu Junction. Ibadan express, rough road, very rough.

Approaching the first bridge on ibadan express way, back in the days when I use to frequent IB, I usually usually count the bridges to know how close I am. There are 5 of these before you get into Ibadan

Driving pass this useless truck, a stone flew from it and hit my rear glass really hard I hard to pull over to check.

Couldn't cover all the bridges, this is the last one before the "Kingdom of guru whatever he calls him self.

"Kingdom of heaven on earth "

Turning towards ife road from ibadan

kablooee: Driving pass this useless truck, a stone flew from it and hit my rear glass really hard I hard to pull over to check.

You may have to overtake it again.

Why did you choose ife route?

I was thinking ore could have been a better choice.

More info needed as I might be driving to aso villa soon

Ikenna351:


As you are about to climb Murtala Mohammed Bridge, along Lokoja - Abuja highway, you will hear a terrible grinding noise like twice, as if your transmission or wheel hubs just exploded. Don't stop. Keep going. The problem is with the road, not your vehicle.

You will likely hear the noise twice, especially those heading to Lokoja from Abuja, immediately you drive out of the bridge.

Ikenna

I am beginning to believe the source of that noise were my tyres. These were brand new tyres I bought last year. Have done some trips with the car since the tyre replacement, but it appears they have started becoming noisy on roughly tarred road. Abuja road can be deceptive sometimes, when it comes to knowing noisy tyres or not, untill drive outside town. Will stay away from that tyre brand.

Or did you experience it as well?

Ikenna

Ikenna351:


I am beginning to believe the source of that noise were my tyres. These were brand new tyres I bought last year. Have done some trips with the car since the tyre replacement, but it appears they have started becoming noisy on roughly tarred road. Abuja road can be deceptive sometimes, when it comes to knowing noisy tyres or not, untill drive outside town. Will stay away from that tyre brand.

Or did you experience it as well?

Ikenna

Ikenna, problem is the rd I experience it all the time, you are correct and very observant.

Ikenna351:


I am beginning to believe the source of that noise were my tyres. These were brand new tyres I bought last year. Have done some trips with the car since the tyre replacement, but it appears they have started becoming noisy on roughly tarred road. Abuja road can be deceptive sometimes, when it comes to knowing noisy tyres or not, untill drive outside town. Will stay away from that tyre brand.

Or did you experience it as well?

Ikenna

Oh yes I did, irrespective of the speed you use there you must experience it.