What do I Need to do to Prepare My T/A for an 1800 Mile Road Trip?
05-08-2008, 05:51 PM
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What do I Need to do to Prepare My T/A for an 1800 Mile Road Trip? Well I've made the decision to drive the T/A home for the summer. This weekend I will be driving her from Phoenix AZ to Minneapolis MN. I just couldn't live without it all summer, plus I have access to tons of tools at home that I don't have at school. MOD TIME!
So anyways, I was wondering what I should do to prepare my car for the trip? I changed the oil less than 1k miles ago. I'm not really worried about the car mechanically, but I really don't want my front end to get thrashed from rocks and bugs. My buddy who is driving from Phoenix to the SF bay area in his GTO put masking tape all across his front bumper, fenders and front part of his hood to protect it from rock chips and bugs. What do you guys think about this? Should I just **** it and let whatever happens happen? I will obviously try to prevent any of this from happening but you never know.
Also, newb question, but what should I run my tires at for the trip? I honestly can't see any manufacturer reccomended specs on the tire. They're BFG gforce sports 275/40/17's all around. I've been running them at 28-30 or so. I was thinking 32psi for the trip. How that sound?
If there's anything I should make sure to check out before the trip feel free to post it up. Thanks in advance!
So anyways, I was wondering what I should do to prepare my car for the trip? I changed the oil less than 1k miles ago. I'm not really worried about the car mechanically, but I really don't want my front end to get thrashed from rocks and bugs. My buddy who is driving from Phoenix to the SF bay area in his GTO put masking tape all across his front bumper, fenders and front part of his hood to protect it from rock chips and bugs. What do you guys think about this? Should I just **** it and let whatever happens happen? I will obviously try to prevent any of this from happening but you never know.
Also, newb question, but what should I run my tires at for the trip? I honestly can't see any manufacturer reccomended specs on the tire. They're BFG gforce sports 275/40/17's all around. I've been running them at 28-30 or so. I was thinking 32psi for the trip. How that sound?
If there's anything I should make sure to check out before the trip feel free to post it up. Thanks in advance!
05-08-2008, 05:57 PM
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I took mine on a 2400 mile trip from NJ to South FL and didnt do anything special other than check all the fluids and tires before I left and put a few coats of wax on it just for peace of mind. By the time I was done and home the front end was covered
seriously I must have killed about 1000 bugs so I just clay barred the whole thing and viola, she was like new. Just bring some detailer spray and micofiber towles and you'll be set.
seriously I must have killed about 1000 bugs so I just clay barred the whole thing and viola, she was like new. Just bring some detailer spray and micofiber towles and you'll be set. 
05-08-2008, 06:21 PM
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I've put 174,000 miles on my car (214,000 total now)... frequent 500-700 mile road trips. Never noticed any dings in the front until it was well over 100k. If you care about you paint... you should probably pick up a carbra for road trips. I never did, but it looks pretty shabby at this point. No worries... about to get new paint, but I'll probably get a bra then.
Check your fluids. I had to move my tired pressure up to 40 psi to get even wear. Then fill it up, and hit the road... my LS1 has never left me stranded (except for blowing out tires). Never a bad idea to bring a full size spare if you can. Or just a tire... these low profile, wide tires can be hell to find when you're in a jam.
05-08-2008, 06:39 PM
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He shouldn't spend that much in gas. He hasn't installed his 4:10s yet. He should see 400+ MPH with his M6. I fill up at a quarter of a tank and that is at 250 miles or so. That's not easy driving either and I have 4:10s.
Just check your fluids and tires and roll out. Then when you get home... put them gears in!!
Just check your fluids and tires and roll out. Then when you get home... put them gears in!!
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what is that like 400 bucks worth of gas or more? 
05-08-2008, 08:42 PM
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With an m6 you should get great mileage. I usually got around 30 with mine going from NC to SD and back all the time. Dont follow or get very close behind trucks and you shouldnt get too many chips. That and take all main interstates and 4 lane roads. I ran my tires right around 33psi, it rode a little rougher but seemed to help with wear and gas mileage. And enjoy the trip. I liked getting mine out for a road trip. The mountains should be a fun ride too! Are you going though Denver?
05-08-2008, 11:06 PM
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Sounds about right everyone, thanks for your input! Yeah the 4.10's will be going back as soon as I make the return trip back to AZ in August. Gas is gonna suck but it's gonna be worth it to have my car up there. We'll probably be hitting denver and getting a hotel for the night. Air filter is a K&N and was clean as hell when I checked it during my oil change. Otherwise it sounds like I have it covered. Anything else?
05-09-2008, 06:39 AM
#16
He shouldn't spend that much in gas. He hasn't installed his 4:10s yet. He should see 400+ MPH with his M6. I fill up at a quarter of a tank and that is at 250 miles or so. That's not easy driving either and I have 4:10s.
Just check your fluids and tires and roll out. Then when you get home... put them gears in!!
Just check your fluids and tires and roll out. Then when you get home... put them gears in!!
haha, i know you meant MPG.....just had to give you some **** about it
but i seriously doubt he will get 400 MPG.....possibly 300 - 350, but not 400+
not unless he drafts along behind an 18-wheeler the entire way or something.....
05-09-2008, 01:31 PM
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i want to take a road trip in my car too. i am too chicken **** cause of the stone chips thou. maybe evantually thou... i would hit a fresh oil change just so it wouldnt be on my mind thou. some basic wrenches and screwdrivers and a flashlight too. basic ****
05-09-2008, 02:13 PM
#18
400+ MPH? holy ****, that's gotta be a record!
haha, i know you meant MPG.....just had to give you some **** about it
but i seriously doubt he will get 400 MPG.....possibly 300 - 350, but not 400+
not unless he drafts along behind an 18-wheeler the entire way or something.....
haha, i know you meant MPG.....just had to give you some **** about it
but i seriously doubt he will get 400 MPG.....possibly 300 - 350, but not 400+
not unless he drafts along behind an 18-wheeler the entire way or something.....
btw, 400 to a tank is totally possible.
last year on road trip i got 419 miles before i filled up with 14.2 gallons. that included roughly 50 miles of local driving, ~ 10 miles of stop and go, and a good amount of time with the t tops off. 6th gear and cruise control does wonders
05-09-2008, 02:52 PM
#19
id keep it at least half full. youll get much better gas mileage that way. a radar detector is a great investment. get one that says they will pay your ticket if you get it. seriously. its worth it. my 450 dollar ticket for doing lik 22 or 27 over was VERY gay. and for that i could have had me a nice *** radar detector.
05-09-2008, 06:46 PM
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I got ahold of a nice Passport fuzzbuster for the trip so that's all set. Why would I be getting better gas mileage filling up at half a tank? I'll prolly run my tires at about 34-35 psi all around. Does that sound good? Also, good call on bringing some tools. I also have the jack and spare still in the car so thats all good. Anything else? I'm gonna go get her washed and do a killer wax job with some meguiars gold class paste wax in a little bit.
Thanks guys!
Thanks guys!
