Old Car With Low Miles Going On A Long Trip

[Legs4Arms]

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.

Of course not. 5PSI higher in the front, 4PSI rears than what's stated on the door card.
Nowhere near max pressure. I'll also adjust depending on the weight of the stuff I've got in the trunk and back seat etc. on road trips.
The recommended pressures on my car is for a soft forgiving ride and that's not how I drive.

 

[GSCJR]

If it were mine, I'd correct fluid levels and tire pressures; nothing more. I was gifted a 2005 Altima with less than 39k miles because it's "too old", and I would drive it SoFLo tomorrow with the same plan.

 

[Legs4Arms]

If it were mine, I'd correct fluid levels and tire pressures; nothing more. I was gifted a 2005 Altima with less than 39k miles because it's "too old", and I would drive it SoFLo tomorrow with the same plan.

Alti 2.5 or 3.5?

 

[GSCJR]

2.5L w/4spd A/T @Legs4Arms

 

[VolvoZ]

2009 is not that old. I’m currently on a much longer road trip (4 X 700) in a 2006 Honda Odyssey with 210K miles, still running some of the original coolant hoses. Would definitely check the hoses and belt(s), particularly if the vehicle resides in a hot region of the country.

And make sure that there’s no loose plastic body panels that could come loose (like I saw today in South Carolina)…. The dopes were driving past me with the bumper cover mostly attached, except for the right corner which was “catching air”, then later, the bumper tore back further. They were apparently oblivious to the fact that they were dragging plastic on I95 for at least 15 miles or so. Unfortunately, me and several other drivers had to follow these dupas for quite some time due to the traffic.

 

[JeffKeryk]

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

2 PSI over is one thing; much more than that can make ride and handling worse.

 

[Egg_Head]

Brake fluid bleeding/flush would be in order.

 

[TomYoung]

I would check fluids and tire pressure. As many have suggested, this is not that great a distance. When back, make a list of required maintenance items and do them.

 

[Kira]

Is the old rule of upping your tire pressure by 10% BEFORE HIGHWAY TRIPS a legit one?

Nobody mentioned the possibility of an ancient, excessively dirty battery or a 'low down' state of charge.

edit: Aged key fob batteries! And I wouldn't go near low-mileage spark plugs which may resist removal.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Don't forget to check the nut behind the wheel...

 

[Legs4Arms]

2 PSI over is one thing; much more than that can make ride and handling worse.

Not in my case but maybe I shouldn't be advocating what I choose to do.
Stick to the door cards folks

 

[Vexorg]

700 miles in a Toyota? That's like asking a marathon runner if they can walk down the block.
700 miles in a Ford Model T? Now that's an adventure!
Check fluids, make sure spare is aired up and send it.

 

[Astro_Guy]

Young female? Focus on tires, belts and hoses.

You might be surprised to learn how quickly one can forget about belts after driving hybrids.

 

[Astro_Guy]

2 PSI over is one thing; much more than that can make ride and handling worse.

OTOH the Prius enthusiast community favors 42 F / 40 R which is seven PSI above recommended. I guess it all depends upon the vehicle.

 

[BigCahuna]

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.

Yes, it will state the highest pressure that the MFGR says you should run. But, you can run any pressure UP to that maximum pressure. If you run say, 32 psi, which is an old rating that I don't think any vehicle recommends anymore, and your vehicle feel like it's dragging going around corners, adding a few psi will make it feel better and roll easier. The side benefit is better gas mileage, and better tire wear.,,

 

[Revving2Redline]

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

Glazing will usually give up a squeaking sound with it in D but foot on brake. In that case, replace tensioner at same time.

 

[Spring Break '92]

One thing I carry daily and have my wife take with her if she is going out of state, is a full size wheel and tire assembly. For my CR-V, I bought another entire aluminum wheel and a tire to match the rest and I rotate it in and out but for her car, I bought a steel wheel and another tire to match the ones on the regular aluminum wheels. Thankfully she has never had to use it when she was away, but I have had to swap mine out away from home a few times. For every car I buy it's one of the very first things I do.

 

[Propflux01]

Brake fluid, definitely. Tranny fluid, drain and fill if you're gonna do it. Tires are new, so just PSI on them, and I'd swap out that belt.... It's 17 years old. Check hoses. Inspect the air filter, it's probably as old, also. Press on with pride.

 

[barryh]

I like to be non invasive the day before a long road trip

At the very least I would want to service a car several weeks before a long trip to give it chance for a few shake down runs to make sure everything is OK.

I don't think age has much do do with the issue for a vehicle in good order and in regular use. The one and only time my 47 year old motorcycle let me down is on the first run after a service because I'd failed to tighten something adequately.

 

[Arc]

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 tire pressure listed on the door is only the minimum for the factory installed tires. People tend to believe it's for any tires put on the car at a later date. You are correct about adjusting for load etc. I put a set of 10 ply tires on my truck and the tire shop wouldn't up the pressure because of that door sticker nonsense. As soon as I got home I aired them up to 60psi where they are supposed to be.