Just about ready for the first long road trip in my 2002 (48,750 miles) coupe I purchased last fall. This trip will be about 600 miles and want to make sure all is ready. Looking for any tips on checking road readiness.
I have done the following:
4 new tires
4 wheel alignment
Repaired EBCM (ABSFixer)
Replaced antifreeze
Replaced Clutch fluid
Replaced Transmission Fluid
Changed Oil and Filter (Mobil 1)
All lights and signals work. (Had to replace both headlight motors)
All belts and hoses look good (No visible signs of issues)

I guess my biggest concern is the age of the hoses and belts.

Any other suggestions or advice. Wife is going on this trip so want to have a smooth trip with no issues if possible.

Thanks

 

You did more than I did before we took our trip last year. 2000 miles to NCM and Nashville and back. Only problem I left the parking lights on at the museum and the battery went dead. Jumped it and had it checked at the Chevy dealer in Bowling Green. Everything AOK so onward we went. My wife stays pretty much glued to her tablet to keep herself occupied so if she's anything like mine bring along an extra USB charging cable.

 

Great idea on the USB. My wife stays glued to her Kendal. Were your hoses and belts original?

 

I couldn't tell you about the hoses as I bought the car used two years ago, but they look to be in good condition. Have a safe, enjoyable trip.

 

Sounds like you've done your homework. If the belts don't have cracks, they are likely OK. If they are bothering you, replace them. They're not that expensive.

If hoses look and feel good, they should be fine. You could take a roll of duct tape if you want an emergency repair for them.

Remember to stay hydrated and take breaks. Enjoy the travel to the destinations as well.

Have fun!

 

Some things that come to mind:
- Some BASIC hand tools
- Spare qt of oil
- Sun Glasses.
- Phone charger
- GPS
- EASY PASS/ Toll PASS
- Fill your windshield washer reservoir
- Small light blanket for the wife She FREEZES on the passengers side.
- Some Paper towels for that nasty windshield or spill that happens.
Tire pressure gage. Check tires before trip. May have to adjust due to outside temps (at least I did) CT to Bowling Green in early spring. (30 degs in CT when we left, 90 deg in BG when we arrived.)

Sounds like you did a good job car prep wise.

Bill

 

Thanks,

Some great ideas on being prepared. Thanks for the tips.

 

You should get a portable charger so you don't have to have it plugged it to the battery all the time. Useful also if power outage:

 

And be sure to map out all the Bob's or Frisch's Big Boys. Their Hot Fudge Cake will keep you going for hours!!

 

When I go on trips, I carry this Halo 6 Charger with me. Even jump my battery for me and charges phone. About the size of a book.

 

I two heading out on a 3300 mile road trip in three weeks. oil change, replace headlight bulbs, check fluids and such. battery jump it w/USB port, gps, basic tool kit and more, extra hat in case one blows off (vert) and pistol.

 

PLEASE make sure that all of the states that you travel through honor your CCW. If not, put that baby away in the rear compartment. I know Florida has a very good Reciprocity with many states, (so does TX, Which is here i will eventually retire ) but CCW Trip planning is a MUST!!

SOME STATES, like commi CT, NY, MD, MASS, have a very strict 10 round mag policy. SUCKS but, you have to abided by their silly rules.

Good luck on your trip.

Bill

 

 

Bring along a USB cigarette lighter plug or other charger so you can charge your cellphone in the car. Get an air vent or other inexpensive mount for your cellphone on the dash so you can use the GPS mapping feature of the cellphone while you have it continuously plugged in to power.
Depending on where you are going, the radio reception may be **** poor, so rig up something to be able to listen to an iPod or Pandora or something hooked to the radio if you want to hear music. In my 2000 I have a cassette deck in the stock radio so my iPod is plugged into a $3 cassette adapter and that works great. And the iPod plugs in to the accessory plug in the console so I can have 8-9 hrs of uninterrupted music if I want.
For my two 2500 mile trips I brought along a small scissor jack and a plug kit and an air compressor, and a 2"X12"X24" board, all stored in the rear compartments, just in case I needed to do an emergency side of the road repair.
Don't forget jacking pucks if you need to get your car lifted at some kind of service center.
And a container of oil and one or two of Techron. All this stuff easily fits into the small storage compartments in the rear.

And I forgot to add - since I also had a Spot messenger, I had that on so friends and relatives could track my trip and see my progress.

 

Did anyone say a flat tire repair kit? I keep one in the car with a portable inflator. Just enough to get me to shop.

 

If you have an iPhone phone, you can "share my location".

 

Just installed run flats so good on that.

 

If anyone has a passenger that always seems too cold when the AC is on..........these are a great find.

https://www.zip-corvette.com/97-04-p...AaAiHFEALw_wcB

 

I bought my C5Z with 87k miles and about a month later took it on a 4,500 mile road trip. The only issue I had was temps going way up when driving slow in the desert. It was caused by the outside of the radiator being full of road dirt. I suggest you hose off both sides of your radiator just to get the built up dirt off it. Not just the AC intercooler but the radiator.

600 mile round trip, that's not that far and you should be fine.

 

@88StingrayEnjoyer If you will, please do share the story of how your '88 performs during the trip upon your return home. Here's wishing you and your car the very best! (i'm looking forward to road trips in my '94).