Old Car With Low Miles Going On A Long Trip

[macarose]

I have a customer who has decided that they will be taking a 2009 Toyota Camry on a 700 mile drive. It's complicated, but they actually have a lot of very good reasons for doing this.

Since they're not car savvy I decided to check a few things. The tires were replaced recently. I'm arranging to have it dropped off right where it needs to have an oil change... and then there's one more thing.

A transmission fluid change. This vehicle has less than 26,000 miles, but I am concerned that the additives aren't going to be as robust as they should be. She's very young. Not into cars. So I'm trying to make this as good as possible for the family.

I'm inclined to think a full flush would be perfectly fine given the low miles. But then again, maybe a drain and fill would be the better solution.

It's a toss up for me. I think fresh fluid would be best. But maybe I'm wrong, and a drain and fill would be the better choice.

As always, thanks! My hope is that she gets to keep this car for another 10 years and uses her future savings to the fullest.

 

[Astro_Guy]

Since when is 700 miles a "long drive?" I would be more inclined to look at the condition of the radiator hoses than to worry about the transmission, but that's just me.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Since when is 700 miles a "long drive?" I would be more inclined to look at the condition of the radiator hoses than to worry about the transmission, but that's just me.

Exactly. Or 2009 old?

Honestly its condition. I would take my 2008 Xterra with 420K miles anywhere. 700 miles isn't even a warm up.

I would check all the fluids and take off. You can do a fill and spill on the trans when they return, but honestly why mess with it before.

 

[Urshurak776]

By the title I was expecting a Pennsylvania to Seattle drive or something. Change the oil, check the brakes, and roll. Certainly wouldn't hurt to do a drain and fill of the transmission but not necessary until later. Maybe change out the spark plugs, engine air filter, cabin air filter (if it has one) considering the age.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I would service the fluids, check the filters and let 'er rip!
Spill and fill the trans. Maybe inspect the fluid first.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

I am inclined to do drain and fill, possibly twice if there is time. I don't know how difficult it is to do on this vehicle. Our subarus are relatively easy. Full fluid exchange could also be done with probably no issues

 

[The_Jeff]

I like to be noninvasive the day before a long road trip. Change a spark plug? What if you put a hairline crack in the coil, or strip something? Long odds but very inconvenient.

Check everything, repair only what's visibly wrong.

 

[skyactiv]

I'd also check the condition of the wiper blades as that could easily be overlooked.

 

[FZ1]

I have a customer who has decided that they will be taking a 2009 Toyota Camry on a 700 mile drive. It's complicated, but they actually have a lot of very good reasons for doing this.

Since they're not car savvy I decided to check a few things. The tires were replaced recently. I'm arranging to have it dropped off right where it needs to have an oil change... and then there's one more thing.

A transmission fluid change. This vehicle has less than 26,000 miles, but I am concerned that the additives aren't going to be as robust as they should be. She's very young. Not into cars. So I'm trying to make this as good as possible for the family.

I'm inclined to think a full flush would be perfectly fine given the low miles. But then again, maybe a drain and fill would be the better solution.

It's a toss up for me. I think fresh fluid would be best. But maybe I'm wrong, and a drain and fill would be the better choice.

As always, thanks! My hope is that she gets to keep this car for another 10 years and uses her future savings to the fullest.

Have the tires inflated to the door placard, fill the gas tank, drive in the rightmost lane at the speed limit and, "Let it roll on down the Highway."

 

[gfh77665]

Young female? Focus on tires, belts and hoses. Not worried about trans fluid, but its a good idea. Change it now if you have time or later if you don't.

 

[BigCahuna]

Inflate the tires to what it says on the new tire. I doubt the new tires are the same as what they put on that car in 2009. More than likely the new tires will have higher operating pressure so the will roll easier, handle better, and give better gas millage.,,

 

[XJRiver]

!

 

[carviewsonic]

Random things can fail on any car. I would make sure she has an adaptor to keep her cell phone charged in the car. Also that she has clear instructions on what to do or not do for staying safe in case of a break down. An AMA or similar membership would be worth considering as well.

 

[D60]

700 miles in an '09 Toyota sounds like a normal day here in the West. I'd check fluids and tires and carry a cell phone.

Make sure the spare is serviceable and all necessary tools are present.

 

[RBT]

I have a customer who has decided that they will be taking a 2009 Toyota Camry on a 700 mile drive. It's complicated, but they actually have a lot of very good reasons for doing this.

Since they're not car savvy I decided to check a few things. The tires were replaced recently. I'm arranging to have it dropped off right where it needs to have an oil change... and then there's one more thing.

A transmission fluid change. This vehicle has less than 26,000 miles, but I am concerned that the additives aren't going to be as robust as they should be. She's very young. Not into cars. So I'm trying to make this as good as possible for the family.

I'm inclined to think a full flush would be perfectly fine given the low miles. But then again, maybe a drain and fill would be the better solution.

It's a toss up for me. I think fresh fluid would be best. But maybe I'm wrong, and a drain and fill would be the better choice.

As always, thanks! My hope is that she gets to keep this car for another 10 years and uses her future savings to the fullest.

Besides serious electrical faults (uncommon for Toyota) what gets you stuck on the road are cooling system failures and tires. Camry is a good car but the belts are now 17 years old as are the hoses. They should both be inspected, more the belts than the hoses. That and tires would be my primary items. Otherwise I don’t like to do major work right before a road trip - would rather do it a period of
Time in advance so I can make sure I or the shop didn’t inadvertently screw something up.

 

[RBT]

Typo deleted

 

[K2K2]

+1 on radiator hoses.

 

[Legs4Arms]

Inflate the tires to what it says on the new tire. I doubt the new tires are the same as what they put on that car in 2009. More than likely the new tires will have higher operating pressure so the will roll easier, handle better, and give better gas millage.,,

Totally agree. I run higher pressures than the door card states. The way the car handles and the gas mileage improvement is night and day.

I'll take a slightly harsher ride for that any day

 

[Legs4Arms]

+1 on radiator hoses.

And belts. Check for glazing, cracking, or fraying.

 

[Wylie6G72]

Totally agree. I run higher pressures than the door card states. The way the car handles and the gas mileage improvement is night and day.

I'll take a slightly harsher ride for that any day

The only pressure that should be listed on the sidewall of the tire is the maximum operating pressure. Tell me you don't run your tires that high.