From NorCal to AZ, PHX
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA/Phoenix, AZ
From NorCal to AZ, PHX I about to drive from San Jose, CA to PHX, AZ, in the next few weeks to live out there and just wanted to know what i can do to get my car ready for the long hall, any input would help thanks.
Check your fluids, pack an ice chest, check tire pressure, check spare tire, fill gas tank, burn a good music CD and enjoy the drive. 
It's still hot out here so make sure to keep an eye on temps. If your car is roadworthy then I really can't think of anything else to check. Have a safe trip.
It's still hot out here so make sure to keep an eye on temps. If your car is roadworthy then I really can't think of anything else to check. Have a safe trip.
Before I did a 3k mile roadtrip in my f-body:
Full coolant flush with a new thermostat (it needed it)
New shocks (again, it needed it)
Made sure the tires and brakes were good (used 245/50/16 wheels/tires)
Changed the oil and filter
Checked/changed other fluids (wiper, brake, PS, trans)
Removed the rear seats (extra cargo room + can sleep somewhat comfortably in car - you probably don't want to do this)
Made sure the spare was in good shape and that I had all the tools to change it
Brought distilled water in-case the coolant flush and new thermostat didn't help at all
. I stowed it between the spare and the rear passenger seatbelt mechanism.
Brought a couple quarts of oil.
Also brought a nice blanket and a ton of jackets and towels to block light, serve as pillows, or additional warmth in case it got cold at night (slept in my car at least 3 times during the trip).
+1 on the cooler. I loaded mine with water bottles and kept the rest of the case in there for refills.
+1 on the CD. I got several good CD's ready.
One thing I'd recommend you do is make sure your A/C is functioning properly... Cause it's freakin' hot.
What else I should have done:
Put a car bra on it!
Fortunately nothing that couldn't be buffed out (I think).
Full coolant flush with a new thermostat (it needed it)
New shocks (again, it needed it)
Made sure the tires and brakes were good (used 245/50/16 wheels/tires)
Changed the oil and filter
Checked/changed other fluids (wiper, brake, PS, trans)
Removed the rear seats (extra cargo room + can sleep somewhat comfortably in car - you probably don't want to do this)
Made sure the spare was in good shape and that I had all the tools to change it
Brought distilled water in-case the coolant flush and new thermostat didn't help at all
. I stowed it between the spare and the rear passenger seatbelt mechanism.Brought a couple quarts of oil.
Also brought a nice blanket and a ton of jackets and towels to block light, serve as pillows, or additional warmth in case it got cold at night (slept in my car at least 3 times during the trip).
+1 on the cooler. I loaded mine with water bottles and kept the rest of the case in there for refills.
+1 on the CD. I got several good CD's ready.
One thing I'd recommend you do is make sure your A/C is functioning properly... Cause it's freakin' hot.
What else I should have done:
Put a car bra on it!
Fortunately nothing that couldn't be buffed out (I think). Last edited by ZexGX; Sep 8, 2008 at 10:06 PM.
I just drove down to San Diego from the bay area with my car. I know it's not as far as your drive but I just did most of the stuff said above, and brought some extra oil (knowing my car is a burner) and coolant...
CD is probably the most important!!
CD is probably the most important!!
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA/Phoenix, AZ
i just did my oil change and filter, i just ordered some shocks, and getting new brakes and rotors this weekend, and spark plugs, and checking all my fluids, and my ac works fine blows cold air, i got a good spare with tools, oh and i wanna change my radiator hoses to be safe, and i need to buy an mp3 player, but how many times u think i would have to fill up on gas on this trip???
How many miles is the route you're taking? Use the Directions feature in Google Maps to get an accurate mileage count... Depending on how you drive you can get anywhere from 275 to 350-400 miles on a tank (from what I read about LSx f-body MPG).
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