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Driving from New York to Colorado - Getting the car ready


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Hey all, long time no post, I know :)

 

Between family life, personal life, bicycling, and the fact that I bought a damn house, life has been busy to stay active in all of my favorite forums. Anyhow...

 

My girlfriend and I are headed to Breckenridge to get some mountain biking and hiking in during mid August. It was decided to use my wagon since there is plenty of room for everything. I feel I am pretty on top of maintenance with the car, and I am half posting this because I am so excited to be going on a trip, but it never hurts to have a little extra input;)

 

So not counting the small issue of her not being able to drive a standard (and not being able to get solid seat time in...she leaves for a very sudden trip to Africa in 5 days), is there anything I should look over or have inspected? I need an oil change, so now is the time to do this...Here are the vitals:

 

The car is a 2001 Legacy. The head gaskets and everything related to them were changed out about 9,000 miles ago or so. Along with that service, the timing belt was changed and a new oxygen sensor was put in place. The front brakes/rotors were new when I bought the car, and they probably have oh....35k on them. The battery and alternator were also new at the time of purchase, and the clutch and all reltated parts are new as well.

 

That's it, nice to be posting again. Thanks for the input,

 

Kevin

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i did an even longer trip last year in a 1997 OBW, and looking at Alaska this year.

 

When was the last time the gear oils were changed ?

 

Aside from Blu throwing a connecting rod, the car needed nothing. i suggest you bring an ipod and a pillow to help support your neck while driving. The car isnt uncomfortable, but if your not used to it you'll get a sore neck. If your not using the roof rack, remove the cross bars. SOmetimes when the wind is in the right direction it gets tiring.

 

nipper

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change all your fluids, check your CV's, and have ALOT of music to listen to :banana:

did the trip this past spring break, it's not thhhaaattt bad.... well... anything west of illinios is as flat as a gage block... but yeah... :cool:

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I have no idea when (if ever) the gear oils were changed out. I'll crawl under the beast and check out the CV's as well. The roof rack will be used for the bikes...should be a nice rudder in the crosswinds:)

 

She says that driving through Kansas will make me want to /myself, but that's the only really bad part of the drive.

 

Kevin

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maybe get phone #s of boardmenbers on the route your taking , just in case you break down,

 

Aye, wise idea and you may want to meet of few members on the way or while your here in CO too...Double check everything and change any fluids that are questionable you should be fine. Plus your coming to one of the major Subaru states ;). If you want a repeat of what Andy did you can come change your oil in my driveway while it's raining and in the dark before you head back to the east coast :lol:. :burnout:

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Nebraska is a little more "interesting" than Kansas...there is some undulating terrain to watch but its still a loooooooooooooooong day crossing. There's a reason its called flyover country.

At certain times of the year it (Nebraska) is downright beautiful and I love the wide openness. Unfortunately the heat of summer is pretty bleak.

Lots of nice folks living in those parts.

Have a great trip!

 

PS-Kansas/Eastern Colorado: The world's largest prairie dog is made of cement and the two headed calf is stuffed. I wouldn't blame you if you stopped anyway just to get out of the car and support the local economy though.

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GOD how i HATE driving across nebraska. Watch out in the middle of the state, i forget which (and only) city that is, but there is always a cop there. Look it up on a map.

 

I have done that trip 15 times, and never driven through in daylight, and been told i am not missing a thing.

 

Western nebraska is nice, after that put a brick on the gas pedal, tie off the steering wheel, and go to sleep.

 

 

nipper

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Aye, wise idea and you may want to meet of few members on the way or while your here in CO too...Double check everything and change any fluids that are questionable you should be fine. Plus your coming to one of the major Subaru states ;). If you want a repeat of what Andy did you can come change your oil in my driveway while it's raining and in the dark before you head back to the east coast :lol:. :burnout:

That was a good time! thanks for the help ;)

as for nebraska... yeeeeeeeehaw.... i don't think my turbo has even seen that kind of action before... or after.. for such a long time... :rolleyes:

but yeah, that one cop, i know what nipster speaks of, so when you see signs of civilization, take the hammer off a notch, and let her simmer down a little bit until you're back out on the open pancake.. :cool:

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