Getting my car ready for a 2200 mile roadtrip

[Natty]

I'm hoping to do 2200 miles in 2 or 3 days in my 1991 hatchback. It's been fine for 500 mile stretches, but I've never tried more. It has 189,000 miles on it now and I'll be making the trip late May (hot!).
Besides the issues of the seats killing me, does this sound possible?

I'm a strong driver and I believe I can cruise at 80mph, which probably means 70 miles for every hour of driving.

What maintenance should I do? It is in good condition, but some simple stuff (belts, etc) is probably ready to be changed.

[lilredstiffy]

just regular maitenance

check tires and air pressures
make sure the radiator is full
and belts look ok

only thing i would do is oil change if everything else checks out

if you start getting sleepy rolling down the window and putting your head or hand out always helps me. Or stop and get a snack or a drink, walk around. Not worth it to maybe wipe your car out if you are getting really sleepy.

[Yuri]

Oil change, check fluids, carry a full size spare and jack, extra water, and oil.
I used to take 1000 mile trips once a month, and then I drove from wisconsin to LA. and my car even had an SR...:eek3:

[OptionZero]

bring maps, flashlight, and don't forget the shampoo

[supportTHEezln]

And deodorant. Especially if you're coming to L.A. I don't want to smell you if you don't.

[neverlift]

check all your light's and marker's to keep your 80mph police free, good luck with your journey.
let us know how it goes

[Natty]

Oh, the fullsized spare is a good idea. I may pick one up from the junker.

I'll top off or change fluids as needed
Recharge AC (it's getting to be that time)
Tires are new and balanced, etc.
Test battery
Check belts

To go with the shampoo, I'll have quarters, a towel, and flip flops for the nasty rest stop showers.

[Natty]

oops, double post

[Natty]

And deodorant. Especially if you're coming to L.A. I don't want to smell you if you don't.
I will be missing LA (thank god ;) ). This is a trip down I-40 from Nashville to SoCal. I'll be there for summer and then drive back in August. How hot does it get? I remember Barstow was hot as hell.

80mph through the desert will be pretty punishing on the cooling system.

[-usmd-180sx]

bring some Cd's or the Ipod to keep ya company =) And take some pictures to post in a log of your journey!

[supportTHEezln]

I meant L.A. as in Los Angeles. >.< Or anywhere in Socal really. Smell fresh!

[n2motorsports]

bring a little cooler with plenty of water/beverages to keep hydrated

also, for cooling maybe put some water wetter into the radiator.

[AllenRPS13]

bring some cigarettes or red bull for u to recharge yrself, hehe

[TougeSR20Kid]

definitely bring the cigs... when i'm tired driving home it wakes me up when i smoke a cig and open the windows. dont drink too many energy drinks or you'll be hitting every restroom along the way

I'm in a similar situation as Natty i'm goin to be moving up to Eureka/Arcata for the summer: i'm running an Sr the only thing i'm planning on doing for it is change fluids and brakes maybe also get a spare tire.

next issue is there anyone from norcal that has had problems with cops cus i just figured humboldt county cops were clueless as to what an Sr20 is

[Siizzzoooo]

damn where the fuck u goin natty?

[Natty]

damn where the fuck u goin natty?
Murfreesboro TN to SoCal. It's to hang out with some friends and family for the summer. I'll need a car because they are spread out all over the state.

[Siizzzoooo]

damn...that cool, i wish i could leave and kick it in cali for the summer

[Ricks15]

Dude be sure to have 2 spare tires and a fix-a-flat can and some light tools, just in case. Energy drinks Be sure before you head out to Mix at least 5 different brands of that stuff and you'll literally go crazy and wont want to sleep in till you're in cali :keke: . But be sure to check the usuall things under the hood and after that youll be fine.

[undesiredshoe]

can forget toilet paper!

[Draginzuzu]

This wasnt listed but bring some windex or something to clean your windows. Bugs collect up on there. Make sure the wipers are in good shape. How about AAA?

[andrewmp6]

triple a is worth every penny free towing up to so many miles discounts on almost anything and bring a cell phone just in case somthing does happen

[Spec7]

You'll need to allocate more time on your trip than 2 or 3 days. You have a trip planned that will require 44 hours of travel time based on 50 mph transit nonstop. Food and fuel stops along with traffic delays and the little hinderance of sleep, will knock your projected transit speed down considerably. On a good day of driving with 3 fuel stops going from West TX to East TN, I was able to average 62 mph even though I was on cruise @ 75 mph.
Good Luck

[Yuri]

I alloted 4 days to go from WI to SoCal. 2-3 days from Tennesee to SoCal would be Kowalski spec.:tweak:

[Gnnr]

Yeah, make sure your cruise control is in working order and that your alignment is good.

[koukidough]

i did a trip like that before. ohio to LA. 2200 miles also lol. it was when i bought my car stock and the mileage on that baby was 182,000. got it cheap cuz it was from ohio :) took me about 2 days almost non stop driving. just bring some warm clothes that way you can sleep at the rest area like i did. also pump gas everytime your tank gets half empty. otherwise you might run out of gas before the next gas station. i almost ran out i was nearly on empty from az to ca, that was because i got lazy and past a gas station while my tank was a bit less than half. definitely bring a toothbrush and toothpaste with bottled water. you shouldnt have any problems tho. gl

[wootwoot]

A friend and myself drove straight from Burlington Vermont, to Sarasota Florida...We are idiots, 1500 miles

[sappychappy]

bring the cooler to drink beer along the way, lol...jk...
good luck on the trip, im sure it will make it...

[sappychappy]

bring the cooler to drink beer along the way, lol...jk...
good luck on the trip, im sure it will make it...