Driving to either Munnar or Wayanad in Kerala could be a great choice if you are looking to explore its hills, forests, tea plantations, waterfalls, and misty viewpoints. But, there is always one question that keeps lingering in the mind, especially for those who are accustomed to urban road conditions: “Can I cope with the hill roads?”
Well, of course you can, provided you consider how responsible you are at the wheel and which car you pick. The roads to both Munnar and Wayanad cannot be called a straight and smooth one. You should be ready to deal with sharp turns, slopes, buses, sudden mists, wet and muddy roads, along with immense traffic jams. And this is where an automatic car for hilly areas prove to be a wise choice.
We at Kottayam Cars, make sure that drivers forget about the constant worrying and the need to manage the clutch and gears.
Is It Safe To Drive In Munnar For a Newbie Driver?
Yes, it is safe for a newbie driver to drive in Munnar provided he drives slow and does not take any risks like overtaking and uses a good car. Let’s be realistic, Munnar roads are very narrow and winding, especially roads which lead to tea plantations, view points, towns, and roads leading to resorts. You will also encounter other vehicles like tourist cars, buses, jeeps, two-wheelers, and pedestrians using the same road.
What poses a big problem to a new driver driving in Munnar is not the speed, but the control of the car. On a manual car, it is very difficult to restart once you stop on an incline. You must balance the clutch, accelerator, brake, steering, and movements of the traffic.
That is why if you rent automatic car for Munnar, you will not worry about balancing the clutch and changing gears too often. The car will change gears by itself and you will only concentrate on the road, corners, braking distances, and oncoming traffic.
Why Automatic Car For Hilly Areas Are More Beneficial?
Using an automatic car for hilly areas is more advantageous since it simplifies the drive. Driving through the hill station requires calm and composed movements, as there are several uphill sections, plantation road, curves, misty patches, and crowded tourist points. Driving in Wayanad is different, like forest roads, ghat sections, resort roads, and long drives between tourist attractions. In both cases, the benefit of an automatic gear shift makes your drive a lot less stressful.
Manual vs Automatic: Which One Would You Choose?
| Situation | Manual Car | Automatic Car |
| Uphill | Difficulty in clutch control, rolls back | Easire for newbie drivers, better control |
| Hairpin bends | Requires frequent gear shifts | Smoother gear control |
| Tourist traffic | Tiring requiring frequent breaks | Less leg fatigue |
| Wet roads | More coordination needed | Driver can focus more on steering and breaks |
| Sightseeing | More tiring | More relaxed especially for beginners and families |
Which Car Model Is Better For Munnar And Wayanad?
For most travels in Munnar and Wayanad, the best option would be a small automatic SUV. For lighter travels, hatchbacks are ideal, while midsize automatic SUVs suit families and longer journeys from highways to hills. Here are some suggestions that we strongly recommend.
| Region | Road types | Best car type | Suitable models | Best for |
| Munnar | Steep roads, narrow roads, sharp bends, mist and slow traffic | Compact or mid-sized SUV | Tata Punch AMT, Hyundai Venue automatic, Kia Sonet automatic, Tata Nexon automatic, Hyundai Creta automatic | Newbie drivers, families with luggage |
| Munnar town and sightseeing | Crowded roads, parking areas, narrow lanes | Automatic hatchback or compact SUV | Maruti Swift AMT, Hyundai i20 IVT, Maruti Baleno AMT, Tata Punch AMT | Couples, solo travellers and budget trips |
| Wayanad | Ghat roads, village roads, wet curves, forest stretches | Compact or mid-sized SUV | Maruti Brezza automatic, Tata Nexon automatic, Hyundai Venue automatic, Kia Sonet automatic, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder automatic | Families, and senior travellers |
| Wayanad town and urban areas | Uneven roads, slopes, plantations, connecting lanes | Compact or mid-sized SUV | Tata Nexon automatic, Maruti Brezza automatic, Hyundai Creta automatic, Kia Seltos automatic, Honda Elevate CVT | Travelling with luggage, monsoon trips, resort trips |
Pro Tips From Kottayam Cars That Actually Work
For as long as we have been dealing with clients, listening to their problems and suggesting vehicles, we have curated some of the best local driving tips that you wont find them elsewhere.
While driving in Wayanad or Munnar, do not rely solely on the normal drive mode. In case you have an option for L mode, S mode, hill mode, or manual mode in your car, use one of those in case of steeper hills. Never switch to Neutral while coming downhill. Some drivers use this method in their automatic cars because they think it will save them gasoline, but it will give you less control and take away the engine braking.
What Is The Correct Way To Drive An Automatic Car?
There are two things you need to consider while driving an automatic car correctly. Driving on downward slopes, do not apply the brake constantly. This will cause the brake pads to become hot and may not perform effectively in stopping the vehicle.
In case you are driving on upward slopes, accelerate smoothly and consistently. Avoid sudden acceleration, especially on wet roads and turns, as the tyres might slip on the road. While stopping on a slope, keep your foot on the brake and switch smoothly to the accelerator once you are ready. The easiest thing that you can do while driving an automatic car for hilly areas is choosing the right mode and never overheating your brakes.
Choose The Right Automatic Car For Hilly Areas For a Safe Journey
The trip to a hill station should be a pleasant one and not an anxious experience. By selecting the right kind of automatic car, you will be able to spend less effort on controlling the car and more on relishing the scenic views of Kerala.
Choose Your Right Car with Kottayam Cars Today!