1,000 Mile Road Trip Prep

co_mtn_grl · Jul 17, 2015

Hey all, I know there are a bunch of road trip threads, but since everyone's situation is different, I thought I'd start one for me.

We are planning a road trip in September from Denver, CO to Sleepy Hollow, IL. It's about 1,000 miles one way.

I'm trying to think of things to prepare the Ravioli, she currently has almost 116,000 miles. These are the things I've thought of:

1. Oil change (due at 118K so it will be needed anyway)

2. Air filters (need to be changed)

3. Spark plugs (Due at 120K, should I do them before the trip?)

4. Tire check, battery check

Is there anything I'm missing?

Thanks!

keeton · Jul 17, 2015

This is not like the old days when a long trip required an extensive maintenance regimen in order for the car to make it reliably. A 1,000 mile trip is not a big deal these days (except to your posterior

)

The oil change and filter change - sure, if the vehicle is otherwise scheduled for it. Ditto the tire check. The rest you can defer.

Whatever you do, DON'T do the maintenance immediately (as in the day before) your trip. It would be a heck of a note to find that the mechanic didn't tighten the oil filter properly when you are several hundred miles from home. Have the maintenance done a few days before so you can make sure there are no issues.

Blogson · Jul 17, 2015

As keeton mentioned, long trips are not as potentially problematic with today's vehicles including RAVs as those trips were years ago. But you will be driving across large areas with few towns so it is good to be well prepared. In addition to your check and do list I also would check the engine's drive belts, and also as you probably will do anyway, the coolant level. Spark plugs can wait until you return home, since even after adding 2,000 miles you still will not have exceeded the recommended miles before they should be changed.
Have a great trip!:smile

ronto · Jul 17, 2015

Join AAA so you won't get ripped off if you get stuck and take some bottled water also. Aside from checking the tires, battery, and drive belts, I wouldn't do any maintenance that's not due within the 2000 mile round trip.
Drive safe and have a good trip.:smile

co_mtn_grl · Jul 17, 2015

Thanks guys! This is my first vehicle with over 100K miles, so I just wanted to be sure.

bionictony · Jul 17, 2015

pack tool for roadside emergency, basic socket tools, inflate all tires make sure they match, including the rear spare tire. inspect front and rear brake pads. around 100k miles is where you replace spark plugs, drain/fill coolant and automatic transmission fluid. i just did a 600 mile round trip from LA to vegas and back. you can keep a quart or two of oil in the spare tire tool pocket.

Climbitnow · Jul 24, 2015

What a coincidence.....We're leaving for the Colorado mountains next week. The total mileage for the 2-1/2 week trip should be about 3,500 miles. Staying in Ouray for a week then Lake City for 8 days. We drive to trail-heads and do day hikes up to thin air.

I have a maintenance issue; by the time I leave I will have 2,400 or so miles on the odometer and my maintenance schedule says change oil at 5,000 miles. By the time I return I'll have 5,900 miles since the last change. While I have no problem with my Mobil 1 full synthetic doing its job for way past 5k miles, I have to worry about the warranty; I have the extended 100k warranty on my 2010 Limited 4WD with 75,100 miles right now.

I guess the smart thing to do is to change the oil, I always use the dealer for this while supplying my own oil (5 quart containers from Wal-Mart are the best price).

Tom

pico · Jul 24, 2015

I'm old school and change the oil regularly, especially when there are few miles on the vehicle.
It is inexpensive peace of mind.

Don't forget to bring polarized sun glasses for those Westerly roads in the mountains as the sun sets.
Enjoy your trip!

co_mtn_grl · Jul 24, 2015

Climbitnow said:
What a coincidence.....We're leaving for the Colorado mountains next week. The total mileage for the 2-1/2 week trip should be about 3,500 miles. Staying in Ouray for a week then Lake City for 8 days. We drive to trail-heads and do day hikes up to thin air.

Tom

VERY nice! Ouray is such a cute little town, and I have never been to Lake City but I really want to check it out one day. Please post pictures of your trip

ravenuer · Jul 25, 2015

Climbitnow said:
What a coincidence.....We're leaving for the Colorado mountains next week. The total mileage for the 2-1/2 week trip should be about 3,500 miles. Staying in Ouray for a week then Lake City for 8 days. We drive to trail-heads and do day hikes up to thin air.

I have a maintenance issue; by the time I leave I will have 2,400 or so miles on the odometer and my maintenance schedule says change oil at 5,000 miles. By the time I return I'll have 5,900 miles since the last change. While I have no problem with my Mobil 1 full synthetic doing its job for way past 5k miles, I have to worry about the warranty; I have the extended 100k warranty on my 2010 Limited 4WD with 75,100 miles right now.

I guess the smart thing to do is to change the oil, I always use the dealer for this while supplying my own oil (5 quart containers from Wal-Mart are the best price).

Tom

IMHO, I doubt 900 miles would make any difference, but if you're concerned, why not call the dealer and ask?
Have a safe trip!:smile

kanufoot · Jul 27, 2015

If you're planning on staying in Ill. for awhile, you may want to adjust your cold tire pressure. It will likely go down a few PSI from the altitude change. If you do adjust, don't forget to adjust it back when you get to CO.

kevcules · Jul 27, 2015

I usually like to prepare my Ravioli (good one

) for a trip ,or any vehicle when driving a fair distance.
Change the oil if it needs it, not a deal breaker at all. Good advice on not having it done the day before you leave either. I would change the plugs (you're close enough to the change) and air filter. Check your tire pressure too, helps a lot with wear and fuel mileage. ( I run 35lbs all the way around) Have all your fluid levels checked if you can't do it. General inspection under the hood for any leaks , noises. Use plus or supreme gas with a bottle of seafoam and your engine will love you!

Have a safe trip.....

RTexasF · Jul 28, 2015

If you haven't done so recently this would be prime time to drain the transmission and refill it.....roughly four quarts as I recall. Simple drain and fill. Once you get home do it again. A bottle of Chevron Techron (20 gallon size) in your first tank of fuel sure can't hurt. Another on the return trip as well.

ThurzNite · Jul 28, 2015

I've never had a car with less than $100k. Even my cars over 100k have ran great. My last car was 99 Solara v6 5sp with 230k. I too would like to hear from those over 100k about their reliability. I'm at only 80k miles (we're talking miles, not km, right?!) on my 2k10 v6 awd.

That being said, when I bought the vehicle from ebay sight-unseen with 55k last year, we took a road trip about 1300 miles. I didn't do any maintenance, just hoped the prior owner kept up with everything. Flawless trip. Only 2 concerns were on my mind: Stay under 60k so I can get the transmission whine fixed under warranty, which they replaced the transmission. 2nd was the stories in the forums about water pump failing. So far, water pump doing well. I'm not sure if I want to change it as preventative maintenance, or leave it alone until it fails. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"?

Dr J

1,000 Mile Road Trip Prep

co_mtn_grl

keeton

Blogson

ronto

co_mtn_grl

bionictony

Climbitnow

pico

co_mtn_grl

ravenuer

kanufoot

kevcules

RTexasF

ThurzNite

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