Please help a Newbie ;-)
Guest
Posts: n/a
Please help a Newbie ;-)
I'm flying to Michigan in 2 days to pick up my first vette (2003/6 speed/coupe/16,000 miles) I'm driving it home (South Florida) 1500 miles. The current owner says he just did a Mobile 1 synth service last week. Rear tires are brand new and fronts will handle the drive just fine. Anything I should do to the car before driving for 22 hours non-stop? I've never had a sports car with this much under the hood so I'm a little shaky when it comes to getting her ready for the trip.
I'll be checking on this thread for the next 48 hours until I leave for the airport. Your help is greatly appreciated. I look forward to a long and productive membership with this forum.
Cheers,
Jason
I'll be checking on this thread for the next 48 hours until I leave for the airport. Your help is greatly appreciated. I look forward to a long and productive membership with this forum.
Cheers,
Jason
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Originally Posted by dajael
I'm flying to Michigan in 2 days to pick up my first vette (2003/6 speed/coupe/16,000 miles) I'm driving it home (South Florida) 1500 miles. The current owner says he just did a Mobile 1 synth service last week. Rear tires are brand new and fronts will handle the drive just fine. Anything I should do to the car before driving for 22 hours non-stop? I've never had a sports car with this much under the hood so I'm a little shaky when it comes to getting her ready for the trip.
I'll be checking on this thread for the next 48 hours until I leave for the airport. Your help is greatly appreciated. I look forward to a long and productive membership with this forum.
Cheers,
Jason
I'll be checking on this thread for the next 48 hours until I leave for the airport. Your help is greatly appreciated. I look forward to a long and productive membership with this forum.
Cheers,
Jason
Check the oil - not just amount but color/condition, too.
Check coolant - make sure you have enough and look for leaks under the car.
Check brake fluid - same as with the oil.
Eyeball the tire condition for sidewall damage, etc., and look over the rotors for cracks, too.
Inspect the serpentine belt for condition and tightness.
If it has a stock air filter you might consider changing it before leaving. If an aftermarket air filter - check to see it isn't clogged or in need of cleaning. (It shouldn't at 16K miles, though).
Check your tire pressure (not just on the DIC).
Put in gear and GO!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats and drive safe.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 1
From: hamilton nj "Life's tough......It's even tougher if you're stupid."-John Wayne
Anything I should do to the car before driving for 22 hours non-stop? Cheers,
Jason[/QUOTE]
22 hours non-stop!
Hope you have a good bladder 
On a serious note, use common sense and the trip will be great These cars are a dream to drive. Good luck on the new ride 
Jason[/QUOTE]
22 hours non-stop!
Hope you have a good bladder On a serious note, use common sense and the trip will be great
These cars are a dream to drive. Good luck on the new ride
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,722
Likes: 64
From: DFW Texas
CI 7-8 Veteran
CI 8 Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07
i would recommend besides what cajun has stated to stop some were in between and sleep...for the sake of being safe 22 hrs straight is really pushing the body...almost like driving drunk after so many hours. just be safe have fun and dont over push yourself.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
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Do what is mentioned here and drive safe. And congrats on the new car.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,195
Likes: 2
From: ATL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
All great advise. Remember too that the steering in this car is RESPONSIVE. I found this out the other day. 
Luckily no one was next to me.
Congrats on your new ride. Enjoy the road trip.
Luckily no one was next to me. Congrats on your new ride. Enjoy the road trip.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 0
From: Grants Pass OR
Take a tire pressure gage with you. Check it first thing in the morning. What you want is factory recommended 30 lbs in each tire. If you don't have your gage with you, the DIC is pretty accurate. Hot, they run about 33 lbs.
You will enjoy your car a whole lot more if you make it a two day run. No reason to put you or the car at risk for an accident.
You are going to love your car!
Dan
You will enjoy your car a whole lot more if you make it a two day run. No reason to put you or the car at risk for an accident.
You are going to love your car!
Dan
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
Check all of the fluids before a long drive. Check all of the information on the DIC, it should show oil life remaining at close to 100%. The car needs to be moving for a few minutes to get updated info on the tire pressure monitors. Once you are at highway speed for awhile you should scroll through the gauges on the DIC to check fluid temps: oil, coolant, and transmission. Some C5 fuel gauges are tempramental. I think it is a good idea to set A or B trip odometer at zero when you fill up the gas tank. If the gas gauge does not seem right you should expect to get about 400 highway miles on a tank of gas. You should get 30,000 miles on your front tires as long as you are not racing. Try not to peel out too much or you will be buying new rear tires before 16,000 miles too. Of course you car is well broken in so be sure to lay some rubber and find some mountain roads to take on the way home. WARNING: your face will hurt from grinning.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 48
From: Glide Oregon
Originally Posted by iceburgh
I dont think I would do 22 hrs straight...your asking for issues.
Pull over and sleep for 6 hours
Pull over and sleep for 6 hours
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 6
From: Saraland Alabama
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Don't forget to call your insurance company and get a binder on it before your drive off in it. Also have the insurance company fax you a copy of the binder . You wouldn't want to wind up in some back woods jail somewhere along the way for no proof of insurance.
Ask about the rear axle leaks most C-5's have. My '02 has 8000 miles on it and I noticed a drop of oil under the rear axle yesterday, UGH.
Definitely stop somewhere and get a few hours sleep along the way.
Enjoy the ride! I flew to Philadelphia in July to buy my '02 and drove it back to Mobile, Al. (1280 mile trip) Boy what fun we had !! My wife and I both flew up and spent 4 days driving home taking many side roads and detours (tourist) along the way.
Ask about the rear axle leaks most C-5's have. My '02 has 8000 miles on it and I noticed a drop of oil under the rear axle yesterday, UGH.
Definitely stop somewhere and get a few hours sleep along the way.
Enjoy the ride! I flew to Philadelphia in July to buy my '02 and drove it back to Mobile, Al. (1280 mile trip) Boy what fun we had !! My wife and I both flew up and spent 4 days driving home taking many side roads and detours (tourist) along the way.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Wow..I posted this like 20 minutes ago and already like 11 replies...you guys have confirmed what I was already thinking...this is a GREAT forum!!!
A few more specs: slotted and drilled rotors, B&B intake/exhaust/front tires are GFG 19x9 and rear are 20x10 all Pirelli P-Zero's. He's putting new rears on the car 11/16/04.
Thanks so much for all of your comments!!! I'll have a buddy with me and we are doing shifts until Georgia and then spending the night. When I said 22 hour non-stop, I guess I was being a little misleading...sorry. When I figure out how to get some pics on here I'll share them. This is the most proud I've ever been of a vehicle that I haven't even sat in. LOL
Thanks again, you guys are great!!!
Jason
A few more specs: slotted and drilled rotors, B&B intake/exhaust/front tires are GFG 19x9 and rear are 20x10 all Pirelli P-Zero's. He's putting new rears on the car 11/16/04.
Thanks so much for all of your comments!!! I'll have a buddy with me and we are doing shifts until Georgia and then spending the night. When I said 22 hour non-stop, I guess I was being a little misleading...sorry. When I figure out how to get some pics on here I'll share them. This is the most proud I've ever been of a vehicle that I haven't even sat in. LOL
Thanks again, you guys are great!!!
Jason
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 0
From: Machine Silver Z06 The Golden State......... Bay Area
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by mike1944
I agree. After 10-12 hours your driving/distance judgment and night vision will be affected.
Most important tip of all. take it from me (I drive for a living) split up the time, get a good nights rest and enjoy the trip. It's not worth the risk. Congrats on the car