Driving across country-Car maintenance?
September 7, 2010 by admin
Filed under Car Maintenance and Repair
I’m planning on moving across country and was wondering what things i should do to my car to get it ready for the trip (2200miles). It’s a 2001 VW Jetta with 110K+ mileage, that seems to be running great now. Any ideas or tips on preventative last minute care or tune ups? Any help would be great. Thanks.
Check your belts, hoses. An oil change and a clean air filter would be good too.
These are times I wish Good mechanics where around every block. Simple. Have the oil changed and the coolant (anti-Freeze) if it been more than 3 years sense the last drain. If you know a trustworthy shop have them look it over. I know you might spend some money for them just looking at it. Still better then a breakdown on the side of the road. Tire pressure and condition of the tire is the number 1. A low tire causes tire failure because of heat building up. Check spar tire. check all the fluids in the engine. The more you do now the less that might happen latter.
At 120, 000 miles it would be due for a major service. I assume that you’ve already replaced the timing belt at least once, if so, don’t worry about that, if not, I’d do that first. Timing belt replacement at the longest interval is 105,000 miles and once could not predict when the belt will break. It would also be a good thing to replace the water pump and frnt engine seals as well.
I would at the very least change the oil and filter, ck and adjust the brakes, rotate tires, replace if less than 3/32″ tread, try to have a matching set of tires as well. Check the spare as well, if the spare is well worn, replace it as well; in the middle of the country stations as far and few between, I know I’ve driven accross three states in the mid section of the country and you see miles of grass, empty space and dust.
Replace the fuel filter (not in service recommendation unless you own a diesel), replace air filter, inspect belts and hoses, perform a basic safety inspection. Make sure the cooling system (engine coolant ), radiator and ac condensor fans operate normally as your going to use the ac nearly all the time at this time of year and you don’t want to overheat the motor.
High temperatures and fast speed are hard on engine oil; temperatures in the Midwest are at or near 100- F; so check the oil at least once every 5 to 6 fill ups.. its cheaper to check and add oil if needed rather than burn up the engine due to low oil. Synethic oil might be a good idea due to temp and distance you’re driving.
Replace the wiper blades, keep the windshield washer filled with something like 20/10 in the green bottle (not the pre-mix) as its great at removing bugs from the windshield, yet doesn’t damage the paint and is also non toxic. Most pre-mixed windshield washer solvents contain toxic materials that can also damage paint. You’re going to use those wipers a lot!
Doing the major service early wouldn’t be a bad idea; but not necessary if the vehicle has been maintained according to factory requirements. And one item might improve your fuel economy and performance; clean the throttle body and intake system, at the miles your at, its probably coated with dirt and carbon deposits.
Just keep plenty of water with you, stay alert and take lots of refresher naps. I hope you have a most pleasant and more importantly, a safe trip. Best wishes always, a car nut.
Besides all the great info everyone else has given you.Make sure you’re in an auto club like AAA or Sears.Because in some States like Minnesota if you’re not a resident and say you get a speeding ticket you will need a bail bond card or you will go to jail until you see the Judge & if it’s a holiday or weekend you’ll be stuck for sure.Auto clubs usually issue these sort of get out of jail free cards.Good Luck on your trip.