In one week, the wife and I are taking off and going further South (thank God) for a much needed vacation. She really likes my TL. In fact, a few days ago, she told me it was her favorite car that I've owned. I have to say, it is probably one of the best, if not THE best road car I've ever had. My SVT Contour was right up there, but this has nicer amenities and creature luxuries. So all in all, I suspect this one comes in on top of the heep. I am really excited about the trip (but then again, I always am). I am very anxious to see how this car does on a long road trip. When I get back, I'll let y'all know how everything went. But it's still a week away for now.

 

have fun

 

hey make sure you either get a clear bra for the car, or atleast a trip temp black bra... you would be amazed what all the bug acids, and rocks can do to the TL with its super fragile paint. rets and I got the full mask, and while i cant say on our behath, it has certainly saved me from not sleeping at night while on the road, or the ease when an 18 wheeler gets infront of me...

have fun on your trip, dont get too many tickets while showing your 6th gear the higher revs...

 

2nd the suggestion for the clear bra because of the weak Honda paint. Have fun!

 

I leave so early in the morning that I see very few trucks (on a Sunday). And by the time the sun is up full, I am on a two-lane country road for the remainder of the trip. So that helps with the stones.. but not the bugs here in Virginia, unless it's a cool dry night.

As for tickets, I haven't had a moving violation in over 33 years (April 1971). I'm trying like heck to get through the rest of my life without any tickets. Now this by no means is to say I don't have my fun when I chose. It's just to say I am cautious of the man with the uniform.

I washed it today and dried it with a microfiber lint free drying cloth I got at AutoZone. Worked great! Then I finished up with Monica. Oh Monica is my electric leaf blower. We call it Monica because it sucks and blows. Tomorrow, it gets a wax job then stays in the garage until next weekend for the trip. Just as well because most of this week, they're calling for possible thunderstorms. Then it's clean out the inside, clean the glass and get ready to load up.

 

have a great trip, I suspect you will come to appreciate the seats even more after. Our first weekend of ownership involved an 850 mile round trip that sealed the deal for me.

 

To Bonedoc;

850 miles in the first weekend of ownership? How did you vary your engine speed.. shift to different gears alot?

 

where does it state in the manual that you need to vary speed, inform me if i am an idiot, or is this a recommended procedure by auto-experts on all new cars?

 

I would alter my highway speed from 70-85 while in 5th, and I would shift down into 4th at least 3-4 times per hour. Also, over half of the trip was on back roads, so varying engine speed wasn't a problem.

 

im sure ron A will let us know of this one, but supposedly cruise control or long highway trips while the car is being broken in is not good for the car, because constant speed at the engine wont wear all the parts evenly... somthing along those lines.

 

Yeah, I tend to avoid major highways during the first 1000 miles and shift between 4th and 6th as well to get a good mix of engine speeds. It's nice when you no longer need to do this and can just drive normally, eh?