Driving my 2013 ILX from Arizona to Alaska & Back
#1
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Driving my 2013 ILX from Arizona to Alaska & Back
Hey ILX fans. I'm 435 miles into a 7,700 mile trip to Fairbanks & back right now.
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/alaska_route_2016.jpg)
My car is a 2013 2.4 6-speed with 164,000 miles on it. On my 5th set of tires. Second battery. Second set of rear brakes. Otherwise alllllll original. So let's see how she fares in the great north. I'm in southern Utah now but headed to Montana tomorrow, then Alberta the following day.
This is a repeat of a trip my dad & I took 10 years ago in my Legend.
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/legend_ak.jpg)
I'll be posting (probably short) updates each night on my blog: http://drivetofive.wordpress.com
Also plan on sharing some pics occasionally on my Instagram @tysonhugie
Tune in if you want. Thanks!!
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/alaska_route_2016.jpg)
My car is a 2013 2.4 6-speed with 164,000 miles on it. On my 5th set of tires. Second battery. Second set of rear brakes. Otherwise alllllll original. So let's see how she fares in the great north. I'm in southern Utah now but headed to Montana tomorrow, then Alberta the following day.
This is a repeat of a trip my dad & I took 10 years ago in my Legend.
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/legend_ak.jpg)
I'll be posting (probably short) updates each night on my blog: http://drivetofive.wordpress.com
Also plan on sharing some pics occasionally on my Instagram @tysonhugie
Tune in if you want. Thanks!!
The following 3 users liked this post by 4cruizn:
#2
Team Owner
Awesome!!!
#5
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (1)
Enjoy and safe travels.
#6
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Thanks guys! In British Columbia now. Shooting for Fairbanks in the next 2-3 days. Car is doing great. Here is the latest blog post a shot from tonight's motel stop.
https://drivetofive.wordpress.com/20...tish-columbia/
https://drivetofive.wordpress.com/20...tish-columbia/
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/buffalo_inn_2.jpg)
The following 2 users liked this post by 4cruizn:
Curious3GTL (06-06-2016),
jwong77 (05-26-2016)
#7
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
We made it! I'm now in Fairbanks, Alaska, 3,600 miles from home.
The ILX has performed flawlessly this trip. Here's my latest blog.
https://drivetofive.wordpress.com/20...rbanks-alaska/
This picture shows my arrival at the state line in 2006, then yesterday.
The ILX has performed flawlessly this trip. Here's my latest blog.
https://drivetofive.wordpress.com/20...rbanks-alaska/
This picture shows my arrival at the state line in 2006, then yesterday.
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/ak_compare.jpg)
The following 3 users liked this post by 4cruizn:
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#8
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iTrader: (1)
wow! That's great man.
#9
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Thread Starter
Took a walk (drive) on the wild side yesterday, to where no Acura has been. It was a 4-hour one-way, northbound road trip from Fairbanks on muddy, rough roads to the Arctic Circle. ILX got me there and back in one piece!
That day's blog entry here:
https://drivetofive.wordpress.com/20...arctic-circle/
That day's blog entry here:
https://drivetofive.wordpress.com/20...arctic-circle/
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/arctic1.jpg)
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Curious3GTL (06-06-2016)
#10
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Figured I might as well go ahead and finish the saga here.
I'm home. 7,909 miles in 16 days. The car was absolutely flawless.
Final blog post here:
https://drivetofive.wordpress.com/20...sdale-arizona/
I'm home. 7,909 miles in 16 days. The car was absolutely flawless.
Final blog post here:
https://drivetofive.wordpress.com/20...sdale-arizona/
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/arrival2.jpg)
The following 2 users liked this post by 4cruizn:
Curious3GTL (06-05-2016),
paperboy42190 (06-05-2016)
#13
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Thread Starter
Haha, yeah, it's pretty disgusting right now. I'm going to drive the car to work like that today so I can "show off" my dirt, but after that I'm heading directly to the power wash so I can start taking a crack at those bugs and the caked on dirt. I really ought to leave this to a professional... Current odometer 171,700 and still the most cheap to maintain car I've ever owned!
#14
Null and proud of it
Haha, yeah, it's pretty disgusting right now. I'm going to drive the car to work like that today so I can "show off" my dirt, but after that I'm heading directly to the power wash so I can start taking a crack at those bugs and the caked on dirt. I really ought to leave this to a professional... Current odometer 171,700 and still the most cheap to maintain car I've ever owned!
Good point!!!
You practically have a 6 speed TSX for Civic money... Well, more like a TSX than a Civic SI, but really, good deal!!!
Does it still feel like new?
#15
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Yes. I was just thinking that when I drove to work this morning (short 10 mile commute). The car idles, accelerates, brakes, and shifts exactly like it did when I got the car with 16 miles on it in June 2012. It's crazy. No creaks or rattles which is a little remarkable considering the roads I've taken it on.
#16
Burning Brakes
Was premium fuel available for the whole trip? Was that an issue in 2006?
#17
Null and proud of it
Yes. I was just thinking that when I drove to work this morning (short 10 mile commute). The car idles, accelerates, brakes, and shifts exactly like it did when I got the car with 16 miles on it in June 2012. It's crazy. No creaks or rattles which is a little remarkable considering the roads I've taken it on.
I saw a 2003 TL TypeS in Nighthawk Black Pearl back in November I think... Looked perfect, had 230,000 milies... Headlights were clear, paint was smooth as glass...
#18
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Here is my fuel log for this trip (also included in the blog).
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/gas_1.jpg)
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/gas_2.jpg)
Look who got a bath tonight!
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/clean.jpg)
#19
Null and proud of it
Premium fuel was not available for the whole trip in either 2006 or 2016. Sometimes it's either Unleaded or Diesel. No choices of octanes. But the ILX runs fine on regular. It just gets worse MPG, from what I observed.
Here is my fuel log for this trip (also included in the blog).
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/gas_1.jpg)
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/gas_2.jpg)
Yeah for sure. Miles don't scare me one bit. Obviously, haha.
Look who got a bath tonight!
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/clean.jpg)
Here is my fuel log for this trip (also included in the blog).
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/gas_1.jpg)
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/gas_2.jpg)
Yeah for sure. Miles don't scare me one bit. Obviously, haha.
Look who got a bath tonight!
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/clean.jpg)
Very nice!!! I didn't realize the highest you all get out west is 91... I almost always get 93, sometimes Shell has 92, but no 91 really...
Look at this 1993 Legend I saw for sale!!!
![](https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazine.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/image_e51d5ab9bf3ef03016f4789fe20b2b96f9d96c8b.jpeg)
#20
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Yes 91 is about as high as it gets out here unless you're at a racetrack and they have some other sort of higher octane premium.
Haha, nice sighting on the Legend. I save all the Legend spy shots that people send me, then post them on blog entries. Here is the 7th time I've done it. Almost ready for #8.
https://drivetofive.wordpress.com/20...hot-roundup-7/
Haha, nice sighting on the Legend. I save all the Legend spy shots that people send me, then post them on blog entries. Here is the 7th time I've done it. Almost ready for #8.
https://drivetofive.wordpress.com/20...hot-roundup-7/
#23
#24
Midnight Marauder
Thanks for the blogging the epic trip, thanks for keeping us updated through your blog!
#25
2020 Acura RLX Advance
Jason. Did you have a clear bra installed on your ILX when new? Did the paint suffer stone chipping on your long journey?
I drive my (2nd) RL about 30k-40k per year mostly for business and stone chips drive me nuts so I get the clear bra. I put 183k over 3.5 years on a brand new 2003 CL-S navi 6 speed. Did not have clear bra so front end, especially bumper had a lot of road rash.
Enjoyed your journey!
Ed
I drive my (2nd) RL about 30k-40k per year mostly for business and stone chips drive me nuts so I get the clear bra. I put 183k over 3.5 years on a brand new 2003 CL-S navi 6 speed. Did not have clear bra so front end, especially bumper had a lot of road rash.
Enjoyed your journey!
Ed
#26
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Thank you, it was a blast and I hope to do it again in the future. Definitely in 2026, if not sooner. There will be an upcoming feature story in Arizona Driver Magazine about the trip so the ILX will get some decent coverage in there ![Smile](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Thanks much! It shows a little wear and tear but for about 175,000 miles it's really not too shabby!
Haha, long-hauler! I don't have any other huge trips planned this year. Taking it to San Diego next week so that should be fun though.
You bet. I'm glad people are enjoying following along. It's hard to believe I've been driving / blogging this car for over 4 years now.
Hey Ed, yes I did. Initially I had a full clear bra done on the entire front bumper as well as half the hood. Later I peeled it off the hood because I didn't like how visible the line was - plus the ILX hood is at such a horizontal angle, very few rocks were making contact. Currently the front end still looks pretty good. The headlights (unprotected) are hazing and pitted. I've had to replace the fog lamp lenses once because they are glass and very susceptible to damage.
I've been wrapped up in a new project in the last couple of weeks so the ILX has been on the back burner for driving. Brought a 1992 Integra home from Seattle and I've been having fun with it. It's almost the exact same color as my 1994 Vigor.
![Smile](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Thanks much! It shows a little wear and tear but for about 175,000 miles it's really not too shabby!
Hey Ed, yes I did. Initially I had a full clear bra done on the entire front bumper as well as half the hood. Later I peeled it off the hood because I didn't like how visible the line was - plus the ILX hood is at such a horizontal angle, very few rocks were making contact. Currently the front end still looks pretty good. The headlights (unprotected) are hazing and pitted. I've had to replace the fog lamp lenses once because they are glass and very susceptible to damage.
I've been wrapped up in a new project in the last couple of weeks so the ILX has been on the back burner for driving. Brought a 1992 Integra home from Seattle and I've been having fun with it. It's almost the exact same color as my 1994 Vigor.
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/fronts4.jpg)
The following users liked this post:
jwong77 (07-09-2016)
#27
Took a walk (drive) on the wild side yesterday, to where no Acura has been. It was a 4-hour one-way, northbound road trip from Fairbanks on muddy, rough roads to the Arctic Circle. ILX got me there and back in one piece!
That day's blog entry here:
https://drivetofive.wordpress.com/20...arctic-circle/
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/arctic1.jpg)
That day's blog entry here:
https://drivetofive.wordpress.com/20...arctic-circle/
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/arctic1.jpg)
#28
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
It's a Honda Civic part. The roof itself and the moonroof placement between the 2012 Civic and the 2013 ILX are identical.
Odd that this thread was bumped up. I took another off-road trip this past weekend. 191,400 miles and counting.
https://drivetofive.com/2017/02/05/r...arker-arizona/
Odd that this thread was bumped up. I took another off-road trip this past weekend. 191,400 miles and counting.
https://drivetofive.com/2017/02/05/r...arker-arizona/
![](https://drivetofive.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/dusty.jpg)
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kurtatx (02-07-2017)
#29
Instructor
Good job dude. You're making amazing miles on this car. I have the 2016 ilx and hope to reach the milestones you achieved. Unfortunately I don't hav there luxury to drive super far places since I'm in Hawaii right now. Traffic sucks.
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