Road Trip Maintenance

XanderWiFi · 07-01-2010, 01:34 PM

This month I have to drive from El Paso, TX to San Antonio, TX for some army training. The drive is about 9 hours long and 650 miles through the Texan summer desert. I want to ensure that Angel is in top shape because I don't want to die out there should she break down lol. So here is the maintenance plan:

-Seafoam in intake (completed)
-Seafoam in oil (completed)
-Seafoam in gas tank (completed)
-Oil Change (completed)
-MAF clean (completed)
-New CAI filter (completed)
-Tire pressure check (completed)
-Transmission flush (completed)

Anything else to add? I really want an oil cooler as I am going to be driving 90mph through desert heat. I will be carrying my mechanic kit, extra bottle of coolant, water, snacks in case I do break down. All tips and tricks welcome.

lonnie · 07-01-2010, 01:49 PM

Check the belt
AC charge
All lights...brakes, hazards, flashers...etc
Check Coolant
Wind shield washer fluid
Brake pads\shoes
Plenty of music

heineck · 07-01-2010, 02:24 PM

Check plugs n wires too

XanderWiFi · 07-01-2010, 02:31 PM

Lonnie, may sound dumb but what do you mean check the belt? I plan to check the coolant reservoir as well but I forget if you do it when the engine is hot or when it is cold.

lord2heart · 07-01-2010, 03:29 PM

check belt as in for cracks or anything, bring a spare just in case

lord2heart · 07-01-2010, 03:30 PM

also, wouldnt hurt to bring a quart of oil for just cause

lonnie · 07-01-2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord2heart

check belt as in for cracks or anything, bring a spare just in case

Nailed it!

XanderWiFi · 07-01-2010, 05:59 PM

Check on the oil. Coolant level check: do it with the engine hot or cold?

Weazel · 07-01-2010, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanderWiFi

Check on the oil. Coolant level check: do it with the engine hot or cold?

Haha, well lot's of pressure and super hot liquid isn't fun

For a good level check, do it cold, if you're careful, you can do it hot.

XanderWiFi · 07-01-2010, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weazel

Haha, well lot's of pressure and super hot liquid isn't fun

For a good level check, do it cold, if you're careful, you can do it hot.

Oh yeah...der...must've been thinking o the tranny or something.

Ion is also sending me our HP Tuner and is going to walk me through configuring that. Hopefully that optimizes things a bit with the CAI and exhaust and such.

XanderWiFi · 07-15-2010, 04:32 PM

All the maintenance is complete. And the wash is as well. I'll be checking to see how she does on mpg but I expect it to be lower due to 85mph speed limits and AC use.

heineck · 07-15-2010, 06:48 PM

noice, beware of the bugs tho after 9 hrs u should have a pretty good pile o bugs all over the bumper lol

cavaliers60 · 07-15-2010, 07:13 PM

I drove from Phoenix, AZ to Indiana... Only thing I did was get the oil changed before I left. lol You should be fine.

wrestlingandrunning · 07-15-2010, 08:24 PM

Maybe put on stock wheels for comfort

colonel6632 · 07-15-2010, 08:33 PM

i drive 500km every 2-3 weeks. i never do anything really... i fill the tank and give er. lol. sometimes check the tire pressure, or oil changes. i seldom check the oil. i know thats bad. but if you do regular maintence you'll be fine

XanderWiFi · 07-15-2010, 09:18 PM

Stock wheels? Why for? I know she'll be okay minus some fluke occurrence. But that fluke will land me smack dab in bum eff egypt of the desert in the middle of summer. NOT a good scenario.

cavaliers60 · 07-15-2010, 10:54 PM

Make sure you pack a couple gallons of water with ya (just in case).