Long drive planned... Prep?

[Juice]

Uncle Sam is moving me to New York next week, and I'll be driving the Pearl for the 1000 mile trip. I also plan on towing a small U-Haul trailer (850lbs empty).

As far as the drive goes, O/D off, 55mph or under. Anything else?

The car has 66k on the clock, so I'm going to go get the trans flushed as well as an oil change. What other things should I look at before I head out?

Brake pads look good, and she's on a new set of Nitto's, and a new belt.

And while I'm asking, independent of this trip, is there anything else I should check up on with 66k on the clock? I have no service records of my car before I owned it, nor do I have a maintenance log, so I don't know what to do and when.

Thanks in advance!

[CBT]

Fluid and filters, that's about it. How's your front end alignment?

[CBT]

And what route you taking? Up 64 thru my neck of the woods?

[Juice]

The steering doesn't pull and the front tires never showed any uneven wear. That should mean it's about right where it should be right?

Ah, I just remembered, fuel filter. Probably one of the most overlooked things on most cars. I bet it's never been changed on this one. How often should those be changed, by the way?

[Juice]

And what route you taking? Up 64 thru my neck of the woods?

Don't know yet, I haven't set anything it stone. I'm not in a hurry to get up there, so I may make detours along the way to sight see.

[LeoVampire]

It never hurts to make sure you have a spare belt for the car or just put a new one on and keep the old one as a back up just incase Juice.

Have all of the fluids checked from the rear end on up the line.

[CBT]

The steering doesn't pull and the front tires never showed any uneven wear. That should mean it's about right where it should be right?

Ah, I just remembered, fuel filter. Probably one of the most overlooked things on most cars. I bet it's never been changed on this one. How often should those be changed, by the way?

Two most over looked things: Washer fluid and fuel filter.
If you are not sure if it has ever been done and want the peace of mind, change it out. I'm willing to bet at least half of the maintenance that's been done on my car was way early and probably didn't need it, but like I said, peace of mind. Dealership loves me, lol.

[Juice]

It never hurts to make sure you have a spare belt for the car or just put a new one on and keep the old one as a back up just incase Juice.

Have all of the fluids checked from the rear end on up the line.

Oops, forgot to mention that. Changed the belt last month too. Thanks for the heads up though.


Two most over looked things: Washer fluid and fuel filter.
If you are not sure if it has ever been done and want the peace of mind, change it out. I'm willing to bet at least half of the maintenance that's been done on my car was way early and probably didn't need it, but like I said, peace of mind. Dealership loves me, lol.

I don't use the washer fluid, I'm too vain. :D

Also, I just did a quick Map Quest of the trip and it looks like I'll be on 95 most of the way, the closest your way I'll be is Richmond.

Also also, got my flags today! :cool:

[LeoVampire]

Your welcome and cool about the flags as well Juice!

I am glad you thought about the belt most don't think about it and in the heat of the summer anything is possable. I had a small branch come up from the ground and disloge my belt from a pully which riped it apart.

First time for me but I was glad I had a spare to pop on.

[Juice]

What other fluids should I be checking? Off the top of my head: Oil, trans, PS, brake, coolant, washer.

What else?

I admit I can get a little OCD when it comes to prepping for stuff like this, so I tend to overkill it sometimes.

[LeoVampire]

What other fluids should I be checking? Off the top of my head: Oil, trans, PS, brake, coolant, washer.

What else?

I admit I can get a little OCD when it comes to prepping for stuff like this, so I tend to overkill it sometimes.


Question when is the last time the brake fluid had a full flush? Seeing you will be pulling a trailer the fluid will be running hotter on stops and slow downs so if it has been a long time then that would be a good idea as well.

Check the rear end diff fluid too!

[CBT]

Oops, forgot to mention that. Changed the belt last month too. Thanks for the heads up though.



I don't use the washer fluid, I'm too vain. :D

Also, I just did a quick Map Quest of the trip and it looks like I'll be on 95 most of the way, the closest your way I'll be is Richmond.

Also also, got my flags today! :cool:

Yeah that's about 1-3 hours from me depending on traffic.

[Juice]

Question when is the last time the brake fluid had a full flush? Seeing you will be pulling a trailer the fluid will be running hotter on stops and slow downs so if it has been a long time then that would be a good idea as well.

Check the rear end diff fluid too!

I have no idea about the brake fluid. Again, if it's one of those oddball things, I doubt it's ever been done. How much does something like that run? (I don't have the facilities to do it myself)

How do you check rear diff fluid?


Yeah that's about 1-3 hours from me depending on traffic.

I'll be rolling through there on either a Friday or Saturday, so I'm hoping I don't hit traffic anywhere (pending accidents, etc).

[LeoVampire]

I have no idea about the brake fluid. Again, if it's one of those oddball things, I doubt it's ever been done. How much does something like that run? (I don't have the facilities to do it myself)

How do you check rear diff fluid?



I'll be rolling through there on either a Friday or Saturday, so I'm hoping I don't hit traffic anywhere (pending accidents, etc).


There is a plug that a 3/8's drive ratchet with a small extention can unscrew that is on the drive shaft side of the rear end looking @ it to the right of it and above you can remove. If you can dip your finger into the fluid from the open hole then it is okay in level. Also take a look for leaks @ the inner rear wheels and around the rear end cover while your under there.

A brake fluid flush should run you no more than $50.00 @ most brake shops just tell them you want a full fluid change over all clean from the master to the wheels.

They can also check the rear end for you @ the same time just to make it easier.

[CBT]

I have no idea about the brake fluid. Again, if it's one of those oddball things, I doubt it's ever been done. How much does something like that run? (I don't have the facilities to do it myself)

How do you check rear diff fluid?



I'll be rolling through there on either a Friday or Saturday, so I'm hoping I don't hit traffic anywhere (pending accidents, etc).

It depends, you will be towing something so you won't be trying to set the land speed record anyway, lol.

[RF Overlord]

Ah, I just remembered, fuel filter. How often should those be changed, by the way?Every 30,000 miles...at most.

[Big Black Beast]

Get some daipers so you don't have to stop!!:D