The wifeys '99 Maxima with 148K. Well maintained throughout it's life, no codes and runs good. It's got a timing chain so I'm not too worried about that. Not sure if it's ever had a full tuneup. I think the trans was flushed at one point. I run synthetic and change the oil & filter every 5K. The A/C doesn't blow very cold so probably a recharge and new seals. Other than that there's not much wrong with it. Any suggestions as to what to check before I'm 1500 miles from home? Thanks in advance!

 

Just check miscellaneous stuff like tire condition, tire pressure. Make sure you got a spare and maybe a roadside kit (jumper cables, flashlight, fix-a-flat, etc). Check accesory belts. Plugs might be a good idea and an oil change doesn't hurt. Maybe the suspension if it is BADLY worn out... Other than that you should be solid.


If the car has had a good maintenance track through its life it should be fine. My brother just bought an i30 with 200k miles and the guy he bought it from took his whole family on several road trips from AZ to Texas and back with no issues, never left him stranded and he mentioned he got really good economy on the highway...

 

The power steering belt, the accessory belt. The front and rear main seals. The valve cover gaskets. The spark plug tube seals. Spark plugs. Alternator. Starter. Tires. Tire air pressure. Brake pads. Brake caliper pistons and bracket slides. Brake fluid; replace if dark. Same for all other fluids including clutch, power steering, coolant, battery distilled water and electrolyte additive. Radiator upper and lower hoses. Oxygen sensors. Windshield wipers. Spare fueses and relays. It's hard to say without seeing the car. If it's in as good shape as I guess it is then you don't need to check anything.

 

WOW that sounds like a laundry list for a really neglected car ...

 

If you are unsure about that then:

change the spark plugs (OEM NGK platinums change interval is every 60K miles. NGK coppers is every 30K miles)
Replace the air filter
Change the fuel filter

Other than that, you should be good. God I miss road tripping.
When I bought my 98 I30, I drove it from LA to NYC in about a week. 4400 miles due to a few distractions, like the grand canyon The car was somewhat well maintained and I had no worries it would make the trip hassle free. Problem free the whole trip, well, except for a few speeding tickets

 

I have no clue what shape their car is in. Hard to tell over the internet. That's why pictures and videos help.

 

Good point...

 

Thanks for all the responses guys! The car is in really good shape. I think I'll go with dwapenyi's post. I pulled up a youtube video on plug changing and the rear plugs aren't as hard to get to as I thought. I'll toss in some NGK platinums, swap out the air and fuel filters and have the A/C charged (Palm Springs in august)! I may or may not R&R the A/C seals. Depends on how motivated I am.

 

Use premium fuel...

 

Sounds to me like the car is in good shape. Drive and enjoy!

 

if the car is well !!then just check motor oil and trans oil other then that just add Gas and Goooo LOL Good Luck

 

Oil ok? Check tires/tire pressures.
Top off the A/C if you want to be comfy.
Pack clean underwear, turn the key and have a safe journey.

 

have your codes checked. See if you get the one for knock sensor. they do go out. Your mileage and performance will suffer if it is out. Check this forum for how to replace it cheaply (though painfully). oxygen sensors might be weak. That would burn more gas than is needed. Check belts, hoses, tires, brakes, brake fluid levels. If all of that is good, you should have a safe, fun trip.

 

^^ Best advice here for a car that is well maintained. If anything else, just make sure the CV boots are still intact.

 

If that was the norm of things to check, I wouldn't go on any road trips! Too much!!! ha


These are the things I'd check/bring

Car related to check:
All fluids
Condition of both belts
Condition of both radiator hoses
Tire pressure
Tire condition (look for nails, tears in sidewall, uneven wear)
Spare tire and necessary tools to change a flat
Windshield wipers

Car related items to bring:
A few gallons of distilled water, 1 quart of oil, funnels
Basic ratchet/socket set and wrenches for minor repairs, flashlight, rags
Spare key (if you have a 99 with NATS)

Non car specific related:
Adequate coins/money for potential toll roads
Charged mobile phone and car charger
Maps or smartphone with GPS
Radar detector
Snacks and food
Aspirin for potential headaches
Sunflower seeds (to help keep you awake if you're putting in long hours)
Plenty of good music (to help pass the time and help keep you awake, if need be)

 

Don't forget WATER...

 

All good responses, thanks guys! I ran codes and all good. Changed the oil and filter and went to synthetic. The knock sensor went out last year and I removed it but couldn't get the new one in so there isn't even one in there now! I was considering changing the O2 sensors.

 

Extra coilpacks and tools if ya got em.

 

So you've got a CEL code, I assume? How can it be "all good" if you ain't even put a KS in there?

Please for the love of God at least tell us you always use premium fuel!!!

 

Americaner83, As I understand it, a broken KS has resistance of infinity, and a missing one would as well. As we know, a broken KS makes the CPU back off the timing to default levels. So regular gas works the same as premium. Also why some of the guys say not to bother with a KS because it all works the same when they feed it regular. The original poster would benefit from a KS, yet his car runs ok without it. Of course his performance and gas mileage would improve if he installed a new KS.

 

Exactly. And the KS code is a ghost one. If it is the only code, it wont trip the CEL.

 

I gave my car to my mechanic told him to ck my car over make sure it'll make a 3000 mile rd trip def ck water pump oil leaks tires belts lines and everything else just to b safe also carry extra fluids and a spare tool kit in case something happens!!

 

ok

 

before my KS came in the mail i was anxious to see if i would notice a difference, so i threw a resistor in...and i did notice low rpm power increase...especially on hills on hiway...if u burn premium u can put a resistor in it...but definately burn premium......pack of resistors at radio shack cost like 2 bucks...

 

The radio shack resistors are good for illustrating that replacing a knock sensor is worthwhile.


I would not leave them in my car though. I always fill with premium.


If I had the resistors in my car all would be well as long as it has premium.


If I were to load my car to a friend it is unlikely that he/she would fill it with premium. They would quite likely fill it with regular. The Max would knock and ping all day long. Engine damage? Quite likely.


Back in the day the high performance cars had to be fed premium. They would knock like heck on regular. The Max's computer will retard timing to prevent that. If a knock sensor fails the default is to retard timing so that regular is assumed to be in there.

 

148k car that the owner's not sure it's ever had a tuneup - I wouldn't be so sure of that.