Getting My Baby Ready For Some Mileage

[StreetBrawler89]

Im going to be taking a 13.5 hour drive this upcoming weekend and I am trying to put togother a list of things to do to make sure the car is up for it. I have rebalanced and rotated the wheels/tires, replaced the brake pads and have been running Mid Octane gas to prepare for the valve cleaner and injector cleaner I am going to run through it two days before I leave. I also did an oil change with Royal Purple 5w30 Full Synthetic, but Im trying to think if I missed anything. Its going to be cold where I am going, maybe snowing...which is not cool considering I live in Florida.....I am considering putting some waterwetter into the radiator now that I have read a review from a trusted individual(Thanks Navy). Is there anything im missing guys and gals?

[navylife59]

No need for that water wetter in the frigid cold. You about covered it. I would make sure that your spare is aired properly. Check your wiper blades and fluid. These will be needed in the bad weather. Check the brake fluid level. Inspect your serpentine belt for any fraying or other damage. Check your trans fluid level. If your trans is a manual, car is over 30K miles, and never been changed, you might consider a change out to a synthetic. I know that is a little early on the service schedule but might make the MPG a tiny bit better.

Being bad weather, make sure that your Scion 1st aid kit is stocked, you have some road flares (autoparts stores/Wally World), a blanket, flashlight, bottle water, some high carb snack bars, and a cell phone. Not really for breaking down, but if you get caught in a 40 car pile up on the highway or stuck in a snow drift. This stuff happens and you could be stuck, alone for quite some time depending on when or where.

The Scion tC is a very sure footed fellow in the snow. Not an AWD mind you, but better than most others. The tC is also extremely reliable, so I do not suspect that you will be having any troubles beyond a flat tire. I regularly drove my tC from New Orleans where I am stationed to back home in Texas. That was a 9 hour trip doing 80MPH. Never a whimper and that was with being S/C even up to 15PSI.

Wait there is just one thing, bring some good tunes so that you won't bore yourself to sleep on that long drive. Set yourself distance goals to make, not just when you need to stop for gas. Driving straight that long is just asking for fatigue induce accidents. If you feel exhausted, then pull over and take a break. Get plenty of rest before you head out. In the Navy, we have to fill out a trip plan if we are driving over a certain mileage.

Oh yea, try not to road race every knuckle head that pulls up beside you and wants to race. Safe motoring.

[StreetBrawler89]

Thanks Navy, completly forgot about my belts! Intresting about the manual transmission fluid needing replacement as well, I had never heard of it this early before thanks for the heads up. I believe my iPod connection is going to save my life on this trip because I am going to need all the music. As for racing every idiot that comes by that will be hard, I like to think of myself as the bane of the "Cheapo Honda With Autozone Custom" pieces, but I think I can do it. Thanks again!