Things To Check Before A Road Trip?

[The_Jeff]

Make sure your lug nuts can be loosened with the cheezy tool provided. In fact make sure your wheels come off, eg aren't rusted on.

Bring jumper cables to help others, a couple tools, code scanner, smart phone. Water, paper towels, spare wiper blade, major light bulbs.

 

[TmanP]

Tire conditon, tire pressure- including spare, oil level (now and at each gas stop!), transmission fluid level, coolant level, power steering fluid level, brake fluid level, washer fluid level. If the oil is due or close to due, change that. Check your lights (all of them). Maybe you could look at the air filter and the serpentine belt. Also, I would keep a quart or two of oil in my trunk too. Maybe some water/antifreeze. Check and clean the battery terminals. You could replace the PCV valve if it consumes any oil too.

Otherwise, you should be good. If the car can do a 6 hour trip, 13 is no worse.

Check that and don't worry too much. Good luck and enjoy the trip.

 

[Andrew1972]

Check tire air pressure including spare in trunk. Also ensure fluid levels topped. Bring a cell phone and enjoy your trip.

 

[spasm3]

I like to keep an extendable lug wrench with flip sockets in the trunk. Handy for cracking the lugs when you have a flat.

 

[itguy08]

You know your vehicle the best. If you're OK with 6 hours, 13 is not much different. Just make sure you are up for it. Did Central PA to Orlando in one shot and it was 12 hours, IIRC and tough on me.

What we take is:

• Our jump start pack - it's got a compressor, light, and 12v socket. If you see a low tire you can pump it up and have a light for emergency repairs. And a means to jump it if need be.
• Adjustable wrench, vice grips, duct tape. Helps for roadside repairs.

Before the trip top up all the fluids- power steering, transmission, oil, washer fluid, etc. Air up the tires, including spare and make sure you have the tools to change a tire. If you have any leaks either fix them or carry additional fluids to top off.

At every gas stop or every other check the oil - you're running it at highway RPMs for long periods of time and it may burn some more and you need to keep it topped up. Also check any leaking fluids.

Take your cell and have fun.

 

[xfactor9]

So this trip will be 1700+ miles round trip? I would change the oil if you're getting near the threshold

Or just rent a car if you're not confident about your car

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
A credit card with some dollars remaining on it.


Makes sense to me. Car is at age where random failures occur--could be during your normal commute, could be on a long drive. As Pop said, highway driving is pretty gentle on a car, only "hardship" I can think of is hammering it up steep/long hills. Even then... not that hard.

Check tires, fluids and charge up a cell phone.

 

[mister_two]

Good tips, I may do a NJ > FL and back to NJ trip in late March with the kids in the van. May be a good idea to bring along a tire plug kit along with other basic tools.

 

[Bgallagher]

Check the fluids, belt(s), hoses and tires to make sure they are OK. Enjoy the trip!