Drive time

Tips for gaining maximum enjoyment from a 4 hour drive through torrential rain, most of it in the dark, and in a 1.6l car, on the way to see someone unwell:

• Sport mode is a waste of time. All it does is lose 6th gear on the auto box
• Don't disengage traction control when going through Awakino gorge. It's fun, but only for a second or two.
• Six speed auto is an oxymoron.
• Don't think about why you're going where you're going. Think about why they need the car you're delivering to get home.
• Sometimes the horrendous price of petrol can be considered an investment.
• There are no public toilets open after dark between New Plymouth and Ngaruawahia.