driving long distance, precautions?

nonglossjason

I did not have intercourse with a sheep.

Jan 27, 2006

138

20

39

Sep 11, 2006

#1

• Sep 11, 2006

• #1

Ok i know this is not the most exciting thread but im going to be moving up to washington and will be driving there wensday. I already got new plugs wires, cap rotor and goign to be changing the oil and water pump tomorrow. IS there anything else i should replace. Car runs great but going 1400 miles in a 5.0 scares me. Thanks in advance guys!:SNSign:

 

88Stang331

New Member

Mar 30, 2006

239

0

0

Sep 11, 2006

#2

• Sep 11, 2006

• #2

Well first off, hope you enjoy living in WA, i can't wait to go back after my contract is up.

As far as your question goes, make sure your tires are good (tread/air pressure/lug nuts/chains) all fluids are good including windshield wiper fluid and coolant, windshield wipers or Rain-x for when it gets wet outside. Other than that, watch out for deer and farm animals.

 

rd

Founding Member

Jan 12, 2000

3,316

63

109

Ocean Springs MS

Sep 11, 2006

#3

• Sep 11, 2006

• #3

I would not change a thing that was not broke, just before a road trip.

Take tools, tire pressure gage, a spare fanbelt, some coolant, oil, ps fluid, brake fluid, flat tire inflater, maybe a spare tfi module, battery jumper box or cables (box is better imho)and hit the road!

My 79 did dozens of 600 mile trips, and a couple 1200 milers easily.

 

8

89stangWhiz

Member

Sep 28, 2005

104

0

16

Mechanicsville, MD

Sep 11, 2006

#4

• Sep 11, 2006

• #4

I take my 5.0 on 1000+++ mile road trips all the time, doesnt scare me. She does perfect. Plus you will love the gas mileage if your on the highway

 

afast93stang

Founding Member

Jan 6, 2002

1,407

4

39

North Texas

Sep 11, 2006

#5

• Sep 11, 2006

• #5

I still drive my coupe on long distances to visit family every few months. The engine has 193k miles on it and I pretty much check what was said above.

 

srothfuss

Last night I stabbed the same guy 7 times in a row

Oct 17, 2004

1,796

3

0

Woodward Ave.

Sep 11, 2006

#6

• Sep 11, 2006

• #6

As long as the car is in great working order there is no need to worry about driving long distances. I've been to Canada, Florida and California (all from Michigan) in a few different Fox Body mustangs and never had a break down.

Don't forget a few extra hose clamps too! Never know when a 2 dollar part will leave you stranded 50 miles from the next town.

 

I

iwashmycar

20+ Year Stangneter

Apr 7, 2004

1,236

1

39

Columbus, Ohio

Sep 11, 2006

#7

• Sep 11, 2006

• #7

i just check the tires and the coolant and oil. Keep a nice bottle of coolant and oil with you too and check it sometime during the trip....should be fine

 

sunil6784

Member

Mar 31, 2005

620

0

18

Boston, MA

Sep 11, 2006

#8

• Sep 11, 2006

• #8

srothfuss said:

As long as the car is in great working order there is no need to worry about driving long distances. I've been to Canada, Florida and California (all from Michigan) in a few different Fox Body mustangs and never had a break down.

Don't forget a few extra hose clamps too! Never know when a 2 dollar part will leave you stranded 50 miles from the next town.

Click to expand...

I was just gonna suggest that too. Hose clamps can come in real handy, especially to fix some itty bitty teeny weeny leak.

 

stang8urimport

Autozone Junkie

Founding Member

Jun 21, 2002

1,499

12

59

Daytona Beach, FL

Sep 11, 2006

#9

• Sep 11, 2006

• #9

I feel the same as the thread starter. My car runs perfect, nothing wrong with it. It's dead reliable. Only ever been on a tow truck once in 16 years(PIP exploded)... But I would never drive it long distances. I see a 16 year old car. It's not like driving a car long distances that's less then 5 years old. Things do happen, so be careful. All the suggestions are good. But say, your TFI.. if it's stock... or the PIP, if it's stock... Coil...? All these things like to go bad after long drives that build heat.

 

ninety15.0

New Member

Mar 10, 2004

1,336

0

0

Sep 11, 2006

#10

• Sep 11, 2006

• #10

watch your gauges...make sure it stays cool...heat is the ultimate enemy...i just took my baby on a 1000 mile trip from SC to NY no issues....85mph the whole way at 2700 rpm and 26 miles per gallon!!!

 

just4bob50

Active Member

Apr 2, 2005

504

5

28

Pa.

Sep 11, 2006

#11

• Sep 11, 2006

• #11

if you start changing parts that dont need it right before a big trip, your just asking for grief. If your engine temp is fine I wouldnt bother changing the pump.

 

nonglossjason

I did not have intercourse with a sheep.

Jan 27, 2006

138

20

39

Sep 11, 2006

#12

• Sep 11, 2006

• #12

thanks for all the suggestions, the reason i am changing my water pump is because its leaking out of the weep hole.

 

TRWXXA

Member

Jan 18, 2003

190

1

19

RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!!... Made you look.

Sep 11, 2006

#13

• Sep 11, 2006

• #13

As long as your car has been well taken care of, you shouldn't worry about driving it any distance. If it has current problems, get them fixed. Take care of routine stuff before you go. Carry some critical spare parts -- TFI and coil which are known to frequently suffer from heat damage, a spare, plug wire, and serpentine belt. Some hose repair tape would be sufficient to patch a hose and get you to a repair shop.

I just took my 110K mile, rode-hard-and-put-up-wet, police mustang on a 1100+ mile round trip to the MCA show in Alabama. There was never a worry.

 

T

Topdowncruise

New Member

Apr 7, 2005

207

0

0

Canada

Sep 11, 2006

#14

• Sep 11, 2006

• #14

Just bring a AAA membership and a cell phone.