Traveling with high mileage vehicles

[50yr Street Mech]

Have no problems using high mileage cars for traveling, PROVIDED, that I know the car like the back of my hand. I know what and when maintenance was done ( ex: belts, brakes, fluids, tune ups, tires, suspension, electrical, etc.). To pick a car out of the blue would be insane..Example: my sister's car with 150k on it, and I have no clue what the maintenance schedule was on it. Triple AAA card is a MUST have.

 

[CKN]

Absolutely correct. Not hating on the modern electronics-heavy vehicle as it's very nice on long road trips, but added complexity does create more failure points. This is the only vehicle that I've purchased an extended warranty on, and after the first repair out of warranty, it has paid off.

It's a full size GM product with a small block V8, so OEM and aftermarket support will continue ad infinitum, as evidenced by every single previous generation of GM full size truck and SUV. "The sky is falling" if you read some of the posters on the GM facebook pages, but I'm not worried. Looking to get 200k plus out of this purchase.

I would know buy any new modern vehicle without buying an additional-longer factory backed warranty.

 

[JHZR2]

I drive my 236K mile, 2003 Jaguar on 1300+ mile trips. I don't sweat it. I simply bring the basics, a few tools and go on my way. The worst thing that happened to me was the clutch pedal's pad came unscrewed 1000 miles from home. It is a 5 speed manual transmission. Took 20 mins to fix.

I carry a very basic tool kit, a can of fix a flat, some zip ties, oil and a gal water (really for the windshield squirter) and a leatherman.

Same with my MB diesels. If you know how to drive smooth and careful, long trips can be less stressful on vehicles.

Driving like an idiot with a heavy foot and a lot of transients can be a different story. But that can wear out far newer vehicles as well.

Rubber parts are the one concern. I had a cv axle go on me on an old >200k mile MB diesel when I was in TN. Had to get home, had to u-haul flatbed it.

Hoses could fail, that would stop you for a while.

Most things have some signs before failing (knocking on wood here as I write this, lol).

 

[Dave P.]

The stuff you think will be a problem, won't, and vice versa.

My wife drove my kid from Maine to Buffalo NY in a 275k mile Prius with bladder-shaking snow tires in January and it all worked out perfectly.

Don't do any elective maintenance during the week just before you leave. Sometimes stuff just goes screwy like that.

A few years back, my daughter and 4 friends were driving from NJ to Cleveland for a theater workshop or some such thing. The kid driving got his oil changed at a quick lube place the day before the trip. Apparently, the oil fill cap was left off the car. Somewhere in western PA, the engine seized up due to oil starvation. One of the other sets parents with a minivan and another car, and time, had to make the 8 hour drive to rescue them. Gave the kids the minivan so they could continue on and then the parents drove back home. I don't actually know whatever happened to the car that blew up and if the quick lube place was held responsible.

 

[brages]

Why would you not do elective maintenance? Wait, what is elective maintenance?

For example - don't replace a timing belt the week before your big trip. Either do it a couple of months before or wait until after the trip. You want any problems caused by the work to become evident before you go.

 

[TomYoung]

For example - don't replace a timing belt the week before your big trip. Either do it a couple of months before or wait until after the trip. You want any problems caused by the work to become evident before you go.

If a timing belt was installed incorrectly, it will show up quickly

 

[brages]

If a timing belt was installed incorrectly, it will show up quickly

https://www.odyclub.com/posts/715745/

 

[tblt44]

Trip went great, no problems
I snapped a pic as we turned 250k we were just north of Macon Ga

 

[cjcride]

deleted

 

[cjcride]

Oh well, better stay home then I guess. Too dangerous.

What do you propose? Tow a vehicle behind you as a spare? You'll never be able to cover all failure possibilities.

Satellite phone?

 

[andrew_j]

You won't have a cell signal in the middle of no where Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Nevada.

No you don’t however Apple iPhone >=14 have satellite service included.

 

[ctechbob]

Just sent the wife to FL in the 187k Acura that has pretty much been a garage queen for the last 5 years.

Changed the oil, transmission fluid, checked everything out and sent her on her way. Ohh, replaced the 2017 model Red-Top in it as well.

I suspect I'll see her in a week when she gets back.

 

[CKN]

No you don’t however Apple iPhone >=14 have satellite service included.

Yea. But you are still in the middle of no where. And you are looking at a tow of 100' s of dollars. And you need a 14 -most on here are not spending the bucks for that.

Have you traveled West of the Mississippi?