What to check before long distance drive?

[Voice of Reason]

Hello everyone. A little about me since I'm new and will likely be posting here a lot in the future.

I've been into performance cars since I got my license 14 years ago. I've had 3 Mustangs, a 73 351C convertible, a 95 GT 5sp coupe, and a 03 Cobra coupe in that order (with a 01 Trans Am convertible thrown inbetween the 95 and 03). I sold the Cobra last year to save up so my wife and I could start a family. She's pregnant now and due at the end of October.

So now onto the question. Her parents are the original owners of a 95 GT auto vert that they never drive anymore. It has 60k miles on it, of which I've probably put 20k on). Over the past 5 years I don't think they've even driven it a total of 15k miles. They are giving the car to us to have fun with until I can get something else to take to the track in a few years. The thing is the car is in IL and we're in TX, so this Saturday I'm flying up and then spending the next 1.5 days driving it back. All told it will be a 1000 mile trip. Here's the list of things I told them to check on the car and I think they are even going to take it to a dealership to have looked over. Can anyone think of anything else major I should have checked out prior to the drive? Thanks!

- Hoses
- Belts
- Windshield wipers
- All lights (headlights, turn signals, brakes, license plate light)
- Tires (for wear and proper air inflation), this includes the spare tire
- Fluids (oil, brake, power steering, coolant, windshield wiper)

 

[Hef5.0weisen]

I came home from the desert last year, car sat for about8 months...charged the batt and went 900 miles from North Carolina to Arkansas no problems...
Your list is more than I did, only thing I recommend is cleaning the crap out of the windows/mirrors and have a good music selection, maybe an oil change prior
good luck....one last thing, wished I had a warning triangle or something of that nature in the trunk just in case I had to change a flat on the highway at night, piece of mind I guess.

 

[HISSIN50]

Congrats to you and your wife (for the little Voice of Reason who is about due, and for the new ride).

That list looks good to me. Have them make sure the tires look ok (Dryrot, etc) and run the car for a bit (take it for a drive and then let it idle in their driveway). This might show any leaks that have developed so they can be dealt with before the drive.

If you have spare parts (or they do), fill up the trunk with them and some tools. I take things like a spare serp belt, spare coil and ignition module, etc.


Good luck.

 

[Bosko5.0]

congrats! check and or change tranny fluid, and air filter; and get an alignment done it will help on a trip, also check for snacks.


Good luck

 

[Car Nut]

I'm about to take my stang on a 1,500 mile trip in a couple weeks and have done pretty much everything listed so far. I've got over 155K miles on the stang, but not worried at all about it getting me back trouble-free.

Maybe add a bottle of fuel system cleaner into the gas tank before filling up the next time.

How dirty is it under the hood?

Check the oil half way through your trip and see how it's doing? Maybe perfect, maybe not.

Have fun!