Going on a trip, What to check?!?

[Guest EOppegaard]

Well, I am taking my 93 subie legacy wagon tomorrow to have its oil pan replaced. It's in pretty bad shape ever since I bottomed out on a rock over the winter.

 

Now, I am leaving for Washington D.C. this weekend with my g/f and would prefer not to have to stop at a mechanic, or call AAA on the way there from Connecticut. Is there anything I should have them check tomorrow? I don't want them to try and sell me crap I don't need, or do services I do not need either. I just had my oil changed about 1,000 miles ago, so it is in pretty good shape, and now that I think of it, they will have to change the oil tomorrow anyway.

 

Anything I should have them check/do? I am somewhat handy myself, and if there is anything I should do on my own, feel free to pipe in!

 

Thanks guys!

[Guest Drquasievil]

Tough to answer since we don't know what you have done so far as preventive maintnance. If you had your car for a while you should know if you can trust it to take you there and back. Other than making sure your fluids are topped and nothing burns or leaks, there is not much you can do. I am sure others will have you pull things out bjut that's silly

 

Look at it this way. Should the car burn on the way there, you'll know how to put off the fire, should you have a heart attach from the fire, you should know how to handle that. And if the fire looks good, you know how to take pictures and post them on the board.:rollin:

[Guest 1 Lucky Texan]

I think it is a question with merit.

One approach is, what might be likely to cause a breakdown/problem over time/distance but not around town? I'd say cooling issues and tires. On AWD vehicles you might say more specifically tire pressure/circumference.

 

The next question is, what to do after a breakdown. Do you want maximum ability to do roadside repairs or do you just want to communicate safely with a tow service?

 

What weather related or day/night cycles are involved? Would you also want to be prepared to assist another motorist? What about yourself and others if involved in an accident?

 

Some folks that have a newer and well maintained vehicle just checked out by the dealer may be fine setting out across country with 1 or 2 burly guys, a coupla credit cards and a roaming cell phone.

 

A petit lady alone in a 12 year old vehicle that slowly leaks coolant,has the CEL on, has a 3 year old battery, mismatched tires and plans to travel on secondary roads at night? Well....

 

Carl

1 Lucky Texan

[Guest remarcable]

I suggest a coolant flush if it has been longer than two years since the last one. Most certainly change and/or top off all the fluids in the car.. at the very least check to make sure the levels are ok.

 

also:

 

Oil change/filter

transmission fluid change and check front diff oil (if an automatic)

front diff/tranny oil change (if manual)

Check the brake pads for adequate material and check the lines for bulging or leaking. A brake fluid flush is suggested too.

 

If it has been awhile you might want to get an alignment and wheel balancing done. I recently went on a bone jarring 500 mile round trip which could have been made MUCH more pleasant if I had recently balanced my wheels.

 

I also suggest carrying with you a spare set of headlight bulbs, a container of 50/50 water/antifreeze (you can buy it premixed for convenience), a fully inflated spare tire and/or patch kit, a flashlight, a towel, and a portable fire extinguisher.

 

I also highly suggest bringing some excellent music.

[Guest PAezb]

Have a cell phone handy for emergencies.

[Guest Drquasievil]

You asked for it and here you have two replies. They have good points to follow but what they are asking you to do is routine maintnance.

 

Answer this:

 

Have you done routine maintnance acording to the manual?

Do you trust your vehicle to take you there and back?

 

If you answer no to any of the questions, I suggest you rent a car with unlimited miles so you don't have to worry about anthing except for traffic. You should still take care of your car but even with that, anything can happen during your trip.

 

Good luck

[Guest 1 Lucky Texan]

One thing I've found frustrating more than once when traveling, crappy windshield wipers! I just sorta live with 'em around town but being in the lane next to a semi in the rain is nasty with streaky wipers.

 

Carl

1 Lucky Texan

[Guest 99obw]

I am posting from Tennessee, after having driven straight through from western NY last Saturday. The suby ran flawlessly, but I only got about 23 MPG with two adults, three kids, a car top carrier and a lot of stuff. I ran it pretty hard though.

 

Here are the things I did before we left. Many were routine maintenance items that were due.

 

ATF and filter

Diff lube

Oil and filter

PCV valve

Air filter

Fuel filter

Wipers

New Yokahamas

 

I general just make sure your car is in the best condition possible. I also take a box of tools, including every fluid, funnels, flashlight, jumper cables, etc.

 

Good luck, and have fun!

 

99obw

[terryb52]

Hi all---I was interested in this post since I will be making a long trip in about 3 weeks and have never taken my '92 Legacy wagon farther than 30 miles. I bought it recently and don't know much about it. I am having a friend help me look it over but am wondering if maybe I shouldn't do some of the stuff mentioned here---like tranny fluid and radiator flush. I wasn't planning on spending that much money before leaving, but it will just be me and my dog driving over 1300 miles each way. Has anyone used those prepaid cell phones? I only have an unactivated cell that I can call 911 on. Thanks!

[1 Lucky Texan]

It so happens my youngest had her PPC with her on my recent trip (see OBW trip report - very long) and it would hit cells fine but occasionally showed a roaming charge. I assume it just 'charges' more minutes - like maybe 3:1 or something? Anyway - it will work.

 

Do be sure to keep a mental note of nearby exits/landmarks. I don't think it's easy to triangulate your position yet. You will need to give general directions to 911 in an emergency. Also, flatbed tows only for AWD Soobs OK?

 

Carl

1 Lucky Texan