Ok so my tl has 168k miles got new tires over summer. I don't have any issues but what should I do before going on trip? Any precautions

 

check all fluids, tire pressure, conditions of hoses, make sure the battery is in good working order. That's pretty much it. Congrats to 168k!!

 

...and bring beer and a credit card.

 

gas up on premium for optima fuel mileage.

 

For a road trip?

 

inflate tires to max allowed cold pressure for extended high speed use

carry an empty/old but clean, liter drink bottle- for Human Element Range Extension -HERE bottle

clean windows inside and out, spare tire pressure full, paper map to back up gps,
phone charger, snacks,

ck ALL- every single light bulb works correctly!

bring camera, take it easy, have a good time!

 

nothing that you wouldnt do before taking a road trip in a car with 10k miles assuming you have kept up with the normal maintenance

 

An empty jug, rubber bands, duct tape, epoxy glue, good spare tire. This will help you moving on when the car breaks down. Feud question - what are the most problems you see cars broke down?

 

inspect radiator cap--maybe replace at 10$ to be safe
Most cars on trips seen on side of road are showing coolant problems

fill the washer bottle, use `marine/rv` stuff- it wont freeze till well below 32
ck wiper blades or replaces for good measure

I get out to walk around and stretch, lay down on picnic bench if possible - every 1-2 hours for 5-10 minutes
that will keep the blood flowing in your legs and help keep your brain sharp as the miles roll by

 

I agree it seems most cars on the side either have coolent issues or tire issues

 

Glad the question was asked... I'm heading out to Florida from Colorado this Friday. Didn't think about the radiator cap, will get one tomorrow.

I've already gotten new tires, got the rear main fixed this week. Oil change, wipers, etc.

Great suggestions.

 

music!! hit the `used cd store` in town for some new stuff
large parts of the country lack much in the way of choices...

(as Elwood Blues) What type of music do you usually have here Maam?
Why we got both types!,,country AND western!!

unless you already have xm/sir and listen to whatever you want

that max tire pressure really is important for a full load of stuff and sustained freeway~ speeds
will up the mpg a little too

have you seafoamed? a can in half a tank, then a can in another half tank will do a major good job
Or 1 can at just under full tank on start of trip and another on the way back
seafoam works best with 30 minutes+ constant drive,,heat helps soften crud along with the cleaning oils in seafoam
will improve trip mpg,,for an $8 per can investment

 

Yup, credit card so you can pay for the tow, repair bill, rental and a hotel room and beer to drink while you're pissed off stuck on the side of the road.

 

At that mileage, all your belts (including timing), belt tensioners, radiator hoses, radiator cap, thermostat, radiator fluid, and PCV valve should be replaced. Long trip breakdowns are usually from cooling system and belt problems.

 

I did have all that replaced at 100k. I will be doing that again soon.

I didnt think the TL had a pcv valve?

 

yes we have a pcv
and a few people have found them to be clogged badly in recent post
Even caused a rear main oil seal leak!!!

internal engine pressures must be released somewhere.
on the TL its located on the `rear` valve cover near the driver side end
there is a hose from it over to the air tube from air filter to Throttle Body
may as well get one when you hit the parts store for the rad cap, cant hurt to have a new one~

 

yeetoy- the idea is to make the TL reliable, so you dont need the tow truck!

this isnt your old shitebox thats held together with duct tape, zip ties etc

 

If I were you I'd get that PCV valve replaced ASAP before the main seal goes. It's a 2 min job.

 

An AAA membership is the bargain of the year the first time you run into trouble. Trust me I know!
That being said fill the tank before the drive and add 2 bottles of Seafoam and you should be running better than when you began the trip by the first 100 miles.
Make sure your tires are good and set pressures, check all fluids and it can't hurt to start with a fresh oil and filter change.
Yea! -Road Trip!

 

Can I get pic of the location of Pcv?

 

Whoa, whoa.....zip ties are mans greatest creation, thou shalt not hateth on zip ties

 

The pcv is the little black connector at the end of the hose and going into the intake manifold.

 

Yesterday at 5:pm I left my office in charleston wv and got to Ocala fl at 4am... For the trip I averaged 28.9 mpg, not bad going uphill on mountains. Oil in the car is amsoil 5w30 signature with 10k. Before the trip I did dump 2 bottles of amsoil pi fuel additive to give it a good clean.