Driving Mustang 1500 Miles...How Should I Prepare?

topless98gt · Sep 10, 2007

Hey guys, I am about to drive the Mustang all the way to Toronto, Ontario, Canada from Arlington, TX, USA. What should I do to prepare the car for the long haul aside from checking cold tire pressure, changing oil, and checking all fluids? Would now be a good time to go Royal Purple synthetic in the motor?

If you can hold yourself back, please do not post any "funny" replies. I am leaving promptly at 6am on Wednesday morning and need to get this stuff done. Thanks for everything!

GettinThere · Sep 10, 2007

Air up your spare. Put some basic tools in the trunk. Check belt and hoses. Check coolant, maybe add a bottle of Water Wetter. Bring map(s) and a cell phone. Have a good trip.

topless98gt · Sep 10, 2007

GettinThere said:
Air up your spare. Put some basic tools in the trunk. Check belt and hoses. Check coolant, maybe add a bottle of Water Wetter. Bring map(s) and a cell phone. Have a good trip.

Will the iPhone suffice for both a cell phone and maps? I hate carrying maps. I also have a Garmin c330 on the windshield. I'll stop and pick up my simple tool set on my way up north. What pressure should the spare be at?

What is Water Wetter? I do know that I have a small oil leak and a small coolant leak. I might try to bypass my heater core before I go. That's where it's leaking from. Any advice on bypassing that?

Kilgore Trout · Sep 10, 2007

Carry a real x-shaped tire iron:

Shiroelex · Sep 10, 2007

Make sure you have your lug key! My spare says max 60 psi. Also a good idea to throw a can of Fix-A-Flat in your tool kit. The big truck can is the one to have. Grab an extra jug or two of coolant if you have a small leak. If you have a lube shop around that can handle it, get your trans and diff fluid checked. If you have a LeBra and headlight covers, now is the time to install them. Bird etching and bug guts are not clearcoat friendly! Have some change available for the random toll road. If you have offroad exhaust that drones at all, now might be the time to consider some Supertrapps.

2000fordstanggt · Sep 10, 2007

Kilgore Trout said:
Carry a real x-shaped tire iron:

aka: the 4 way

tiptone · Sep 10, 2007

While it may sound like a joke it is not. Get a cushion, those seats weren't meant to be ridden in for 1500 miles...

SaleenGT2001 · Sep 10, 2007

my car would require at least 4 belts with that amount of miles

GettinThere · Sep 10, 2007

topless98gt said:
What is Water Wetter?

It is a coolant additive, made by Redline. It comes in a small plastic bottle, and can be found at most auto parts stores. It should help keep your coolant temp down a little.

BennyBlown2v · Sep 10, 2007

Bring along a quart or two of oil, small bottle of brake fluid, transmission fluid for power steering and/or trans. Really you shouldn't have much to worry about if everything is in working order to begin with, and you pretty much covered the main preventative maintenance bases already. Personally I would carry a full size spare (ebay/classifieds/junkyard wheel + brand x tire), that way if you do pop a tire you can finish your trip instead of just getting to the closest down to fix the original flat.

01BlkGT · Sep 10, 2007

SaleenGT2001 said:
my car would require at least 4 belts with that amount of miles

Why is this??????

propellerhead · Sep 10, 2007

Sign up for AAA.

Mustang5L5 · Sep 10, 2007

ditch the spare and put a full size spare in. You don't want to be 700 miles from home riding on a donut. They are only good for 50MPH and 50 miles range tops.

I sourced a used bullitt wheel and tire as a full size spare. When i go on long trips (100+ miles) i take out my space saver and put the full size in the well. Haven't had to use it but nice to know it's there.

I also have a car kit witrh misc tools, tire plug kits, 20" breaker bar and correct sized socket to change the lug nuts, flashlight, spare wiper blades, spare belt, and anthing else i think i would need like matches, knife etc. it all fits in a small 30x8x6 toolbox i keep in my trunk.

Change the oil and any other fluids that should be replaced.

Top off washer fluid

1Phat5Liter · Sep 10, 2007

Like everyone here has said, just check your belt and top off your fluids pretty much. And it can't hurt to have gps and 24hr roadside towing...

BlackGT4.6 · Sep 10, 2007

It sounds like you have done about everything if your car is in good running order I wouldn't worry to much.

Superhereaux · Sep 10, 2007

extra headlight, tailight and turn signal bulbs and change your license plate bulbs when you change your oil

i ALWAYS carry a large flathead screwdriver on my trunk lid (jammed behind wiring harness so it stays put)
a small adjustable wrench
a small knife
20oz. bottle of water
small flashlight
jumper cables
lighter
basic first aid kit
and a small air compressor in my car at all times. oh and a spare key hidden on the outside of my car, nothing like getting locked out of your car at a rest stop hundreds of miles from anywhere.

on longer trips i add said bulbs, extra belt, a few more tools (including a multi-tool and larger knife), fix-a-flat, a gallon of distilled water, quart of oil and my 1/2" breaker bar instead of the 4-way (the 4-way is the better choice since you can also help other people). i do need to upgrade to a full size spare though

DropTopPony · Sep 10, 2007

I used to drive mine from NJ to Tampa FL and just did the regular maint to it and made sure the spare was good and i did need it once.
I definately don't miss driving the stang on that long ass ride though as it gets uncomfortable after about 6-7 hours...then you start thinking why didn't i drive the minivan...and then you have a nice little run in with a Ricer and think thats why

topless98gt · Sep 10, 2007

Thanks guys. I will take as much of this advice in as possible. There are a few things I might not even consider, such as changing the license plate bulbs (they are just 3 or 4 months old), but most of them I will.

Thanks again for everything! Tomorrow (Tuesday) is the big day to perform everything. Then I go to sleep, and Toronto here I come!!

Killa · Sep 10, 2007

all the advise from above is about your car, YOU IS THE MOST IMPORTANT, bring food and alot alot energy drink .

the98stang · Sep 11, 2007

I can barely stand a 200 mile trip in my stang...so damn UNCOMFORTABLE! Lol anyway, bring a pillow for your butt like suggested. Also bring back up food and a portable piss bag (they do sell them lol)

Driving Mustang 1500 Miles...How Should I Prepare?

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