bpjadhav

Folks, I'm relocating from Birmingham, AL to Boston, MA in September for a new job. I've decided to drive my car to Boston, which is a 1,191 mile journey from where I live.

Some details on my car:
1998 2.5TL
Current miles: 154,9xx

Maintenance performed in the recent past:
1. I had to change the Cam sensor, so changed the timing belt, water pump, tensioner and thermostat as well - 700 miles back (Drive belts were replaced at 105K and they look solid).
2. Replaced fuel filter - 700 miles back.
3. Changed battery - 2K miles back.
4. Replaced brake fluid - 7k miles back.
4. Changed transmission filter screen and replaced differential oil - 2K miles back.
5. Replaced spark plugs, wires, distributor rotor cap, enginer seals and valve cover gasket - 16K miles back.
6. Replaced air filter 27K miles back.

Everything except the battery was replaced with parts from Honda/Acura.

Do you think I've missed anything? Or should I be good for the drive with all the stuff I've had done. I'm planning to split the journey evenly across 2 days - 600 miles on day one and 590 on day two.

I intend to keep the car well beyond 200K miles, hence all the maintenance. I hope I should be good for the next 60K miles... barring the usual ATF and filters replacements.

I'd love to have your insight into this.

Thanks!

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

u should be good... i drove my 98 TL 1600+ miles from Dallas to NJ last year without any major maintenance beforehand... u should be good as long as the car is in great running condition before u leave... best of luck, pace your self, and don't push you or the car... it is easy to get road hypnosis for that long of a period of time...

spooky3ce

Gallon of water and maybe a quart of oil in the trunk wouldn't hurt... Make sure your tires are in good condition... Tire pressure gauge... make sure you have everything needed for changing a tire... Small tool set... cash... Batterey cables... Flash light... pocket knife... condom... jacket... microfiber towel or rag (keep the TL looking nice)... Matches and a lighter... Roll of TP... cell phone... snacks and Gatorade (big mouth bottle)... Never know when you might have an emergency...

Your car should hold up... the list above is for safety only...

Truck driver Gas stations have showers and usually have some restaraunts in them and are well lighted... FYI...

Other then that, you have everything covered in your list.... I know this because every year i make a trip from Salinas, CA to Yuma, AZ which is about 500 miles if i remember correctly... Will be doing it this November again and i'm going on 235,000 miles on my 2.5... So you should definatly be good...

Good Luck on your trip... and congratz on the new job...

meazz1

When was the last time ypu have changed antifreeze? I am not sure if it is done at the time of you replaced timing belt.
I have 97 2.5 with 230k now. I drove it from Atlanta to NY city and back, 1800+ miles, no problem. I only changed oil and all 4 tires before hand.

You are ok.

bpjadhav

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Kamlung - my first project is for a client in NJ, so I'll be working in NJ for a few weeks initially. I'll keep an eye out for you.

Spooky - thanks for the best wishes and the road tips! I'd almost forgotten the condom!

Meazz - The antifreeze was changed with the timing belt job (700 miles back). I decided to go with antifreeze from the stealership... I know it was overkill... the fockers charged me 15 bucks a gallon! I could've just gone with the regular stuff from any auto store, but I wanted to see blue coolant in my reservoir

The tires are in very good shape... I'd replaced them 18K miles back and I've been rotating and balancing them every 6-8K miles.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

just shoot me a PM if u r in town.. i can come meet u up for a beer or something...

96teeluxury

this monday morning i'm heading from ny to fl for college in my TL, just did some routine checks myself. our cars rock!

bpjadhav

Sure thing Kam, I'll keep you posted.

spooky3ce

So how was the drive? Hows the new job? Did you meet with KaMLuNg?

Let us know what happend...

Did you use the condom?

01tl4tl

Make sure ALL the lights work
pump the tires up 2 psi for the trip- check the spares pressure too
Check the lug nuts 80 ft lbs torque

A can of Seafoam in the tank and in the intake will clean the injectors nicely for you
see gen2 thread Seafoamed the Ol TL for details

Find some 80s rock and set the cruise control~ I cant drive 55!!!!

A 30 minute nap will make you safe again to drive.- Use the rest areas!
Driving long periods is like an airline flight- bad health issues can result from lack of movement- squirm and shift in the seat and get out and walk around and stretch- lay flat on a table- helps prevent back strain- use the lumbar heat!
Enjoy the scenery

Go90go

I was waiting for this!

~Cheers~

bpjadhav

Hey Spooky, my trip has been delayed due to some issues with the paperwork. I'll probably be making the drive sometime in the third week of September and I'll probably be in NJ sometime in November. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the tips 01tl4tl. I just used a can of BG44K in my fuel tank about 1000 miles back. I've heard the car smokes a lot while seafoaming it... and since I rent an apartment, I don't really have a place to seafoam it without the risk of having people complain

bpjadhav

Guys, finally made the trip. No hassles and no issues at all. I think it took me about 22 hours of driving. And that was because of the traffis in NYC! I drove up 95 and I didn't know it passes right though NYC... I should've bypassed it. It took me about 2 hours to cover those 20 odd miles.

Stopped overnight in Virginia... am very happy I decided to drive.

Now I'll need to prepare the car for the Boston winter. I'm thinking about an engine block heater or remote starter.

Also, washing the car in winter is going to be a pain. I hate taking her through a carwash. I used to handwash it when I was in AL... don't think I'll be able to do it in Boston during winter.

TLin401

The winters in New England are really harsh. I would recommend getting a remote starter so that you don't have to go outside and start the car and you can do it from where your living.

bpjadhav

Thanks for the tip Big Balla. Do you have any recommendations as to where I should look for a remote starter? Is the installation complex?