What are the vehicle requirements for the Duku Highway?

[RyanFitz]

Ordinary private cars with 7 seats or fewer are allowed to travel on the Duku Highway. Below are the precautions for private vehicles driving on the Duku Highway: 1. Duzizhan Town to Qiaermacha Intersection Section: This section consists of winding mountain roads, so drivers should be mentally prepared and drive carefully. 2. Qiaermacha Intersection to Bayinbuluke Town Section: The road conditions here are excellent, featuring a two-way "mountain highway," but drivers should be cautious of natural disasters. 3. Bayinbuluke to Kuche County Section: This section is located on a plateau, and low-displacement vehicles may experience insufficient power, though it won’t have a severe impact.

[CeciliaMarie]

I've got plenty of experience driving the Duku Highway – just did the trip last year. This route really puts your car to the test: First, ground clearance matters – sedans easily scrape their undersides, especially near Daban where potholes and loose rocks are everywhere (my SUV even took a few hits). Second, you need ample power – climbing 40km of continuous steep grades leaves 1.5L naturally aspirated engines gasping even at full throttle. Third, brakes must be rock-solid – those endless downhill switchbacks can literally turn your brake pads glowing red. Fourth, carry a full-size spare tire – punctures from sharp rocks are ridiculously common here. Pro tip: always depart with a full tank as 300km stretches without gas stations are standard. During rainy season, watch for landslides, and swapping to all-terrain tires beforehand makes those gravel sections way less stressful.

[EmiliaRose]

A friend who just drove a Tesla through the Duku Highway shared some insights: The significant altitude changes pose quite a challenge for the range of electric vehicles, so be sure to check charging points before setting off. In terms of vehicle performance, brake overheating protection is crucial for gasoline cars on long downhill sections, while electric cars can rely on regenerative braking. Tire tread depth is recommended to be at least 5mm—bald tires can feel like skating if it suddenly rains on mountain roads. High demands on vehicle condition mainly come from low-temperature uphill sections; older cars with spark plug or fuel system issues are prone to breaking down halfway. Additionally, if you go in late May or early June, bring snow chains as there might still be hidden ice in shaded areas.

[Turner]

Three key points for driving the Duku Highway: Ground clearance should be at least 18cm to avoid gravel, especially the potholes near the Hashilegen Tunnel; choose AT or HT tires over highway tires for reliability—I’ve seen drivers crying by the roadside after a blowout; don’t trust small-displacement turbos—my 2.0T engine felt strangled climbing at 3,400m altitude. Bring an air pump, as tire pressure drops faster than phone battery in sudden temperature drops. Replace your wiper blades—highland weather changes in a flash.