Im going to be heading down to florida for spring break.. from NY its going to be about 1300 miles each way. Besides an oil change, is there anything else I should do to prepare for this trip? Im thinking im gunna raise the air pressure in my tires a bit, but is there anything else I should do?

 

you should be good to go. your heading to south beach arent u? i live in ft. lauderdale and i just came home from UF and im gonna go down to south beach next week.

 

Definitely the oil change.
Check the tire pressure and check for any current nails/staples/screws.
Balance and rotate the wheels.
Check your coolant level, maybe a coolant flush is needed.
Check the brake fluid level.
Check the belts conditions, no signs of shredding or cracking.
Check the spark plugs and fuel filter.
Also, check the pressure in your spare wheel, last thing you need is a flat spare wheel when/if you need it. Also, make sure you have the jack and lug wrench as well

After this, your car is VERY WELL prepared for the trip.

 

Ok cool, sounds like im pretty much set.. New plugs like a month ago, as well as fuel filter, Had my tires balanced around the same time, guess im due for rotation though. Good idea on checking the spare.. I dont think ive ever even looked at it since I got the car. Thanks a lot for the fast responses.. Im leaving in probably 16 hours

 

I went to Phoenix from CA and back. I didn't do jack to my car. Car made it to Phoenix and back to CA safely.

 

Don't raise the tire pressere.

Keep in mind your coming from 20 deg weather and heading into the 80's. That alone is going to raise your tire pressure up by probably 5 lbs. If you increase it up here, by the time you get to Florida, your tires will be overinflated. Your car may feel tighter on the road, but actually you have a smaller contact path which means less rubber on the road and thats not good.

Set them correctly up here first thing in the morning COLD, then enjoy the ride down!

 

Also, keep like a gallon of water and some dried food like power bars handy just in case. You can never be too cautious. A good flashlight would be great too.

ZuM

 

Last year my brother and I drove from Ohio to California in his 89 Maxima and the only thing he did was have the oil changed. That was a road trip!

 

that's a great ride.. done it about 6 times. last one was coming back in a Uhaul with a rustang on a trailer. that was a bizzatch.

 

watch out for Super Troopers

 

Don't forget protection.

 

Watch your speed when you are as far as Souther GA and throughout FL. The police know that the kids are coming and they are usually out in force. Have fun!

 

My sentiments exactly. DO NOT SPEED THROUGH COBB COUNTY GEORGIA!!!!! Those guys have gotten me twice on my way to Spring Break.

 

waldo apparently is the speeding capital of fl. its right otuside of gainesville so if you happen to pass thru there slow down. and also on i75 go slow until you reach the turnpike.

 

Few Trip Tips:
1. Road trip CD (a must... and it has to have some cheesy 80s music)
2. Video Camera/Disposable Camera (i did that trip in 2000, and missed a 20-car Mustang GT & Cobra Caravan, and two college kids watch their Winnebago go up in flames on the side of the road )
3. Roadside assistance #s/Insurance Card/Inspection sticker up to date
4. A MAP
5. Pen and paper.... nothing like high speed communication with hot chicks, hopefully in Maximas (The camera is good for this too)

I am sorry, did you just 'meow' at me??

B

 

hehe, thanks for the advice guys. I've actually driven all the way down, as a passanger, this is my first really long drive. Im seriously gunna need to watch my speed, but the flow of traffic is pretty dam fast, so I think I'll be content. We're gunna be driving straight through on a sunday night into monday afternoon so there shouldn't be an excessive amount of police I would think.