driving long distance, precautions?

[nonglossjason]

Ok i know this is not the most exciting thread but im going to be moving up to washington and will be driving there wensday. I already got new plugs wires, cap rotor and goign to be changing the oil and water pump tomorrow. IS there anything else i should replace. Car runs great but going 1400 miles in a 5.0 scares me. Thanks in advance guys!:SNSign:

 

[88Stang331]

Well first off, hope you enjoy living in WA, i can't wait to go back after my contract is up.

As far as your question goes, make sure your tires are good (tread/air pressure/lug nuts/chains) all fluids are good including windshield wiper fluid and coolant, windshield wipers or Rain-x for when it gets wet outside. Other than that, watch out for deer and farm animals.

 

[rd]

I would not change a thing that was not broke, just before a road trip.

Take tools, tire pressure gage, a spare fanbelt, some coolant, oil, ps fluid, brake fluid, flat tire inflater, maybe a spare tfi module, battery jumper box or cables (box is better imho)and hit the road!

My 79 did dozens of 600 mile trips, and a couple 1200 milers easily.

 

[89stangWhiz]

I take my 5.0 on 1000+++ mile road trips all the time, doesnt scare me. She does perfect. Plus you will love the gas mileage if your on the highway

 

[afast93stang]

I still drive my coupe on long distances to visit family every few months. The engine has 193k miles on it and I pretty much check what was said above.

 

[srothfuss]

As long as the car is in great working order there is no need to worry about driving long distances. I've been to Canada, Florida and California (all from Michigan) in a few different Fox Body mustangs and never had a break down.

Don't forget a few extra hose clamps too! Never know when a 2 dollar part will leave you stranded 50 miles from the next town.

 

[iwashmycar]

i just check the tires and the coolant and oil. Keep a nice bottle of coolant and oil with you too and check it sometime during the trip....should be fine

 

[sunil6784]

As long as the car is in great working order there is no need to worry about driving long distances. I've been to Canada, Florida and California (all from Michigan) in a few different Fox Body mustangs and never had a break down.

Don't forget a few extra hose clamps too! Never know when a 2 dollar part will leave you stranded 50 miles from the next town.

I was just gonna suggest that too. Hose clamps can come in real handy, especially to fix some itty bitty teeny weeny leak.

 

[PoopDawg]

I feel the same as the thread starter. My car runs perfect, nothing wrong with it. It's dead reliable. Only ever been on a tow truck once in 16 years(PIP exploded)... But I would never drive it long distances. I see a 16 year old car. It's not like driving a car long distances that's less then 5 years old. Things do happen, so be careful. All the suggestions are good. But say, your TFI.. if it's stock... or the PIP, if it's stock... Coil...? All these things like to go bad after long drives that build heat.

 

[ninety15.0]

watch your gauges...make sure it stays cool...heat is the ultimate enemy...i just took my baby on a 1000 mile trip from SC to NY no issues....85mph the whole way at 2700 rpm and 26 miles per gallon!!!

 

[just4bob50]

if you start changing parts that dont need it right before a big trip, your just asking for grief. If your engine temp is fine I wouldnt bother changing the pump.

 

[nonglossjason]

thanks for all the suggestions, the reason i am changing my water pump is because its leaking out of the weep hole.

 

[TRWXXA]

As long as your car has been well taken care of, you shouldn't worry about driving it any distance. If it has current problems, get them fixed. Take care of routine stuff before you go. Carry some critical spare parts -- TFI and coil which are known to frequently suffer from heat damage, a spare, plug wire, and serpentine belt. Some hose repair tape would be sufficient to patch a hose and get you to a repair shop.

I just took my 110K mile, rode-hard-and-put-up-wet, police mustang on a 1100+ mile round trip to the MCA show in Alabama. There was never a worry.

 

[Topdowncruise]

Just bring a AAA membership and a cell phone.