Long distance drive planned - what maintenance to do?

[Immortality]

Nothing wrong with MACE products, they do work on the V6 engines.

Seems we have a petty hate brigade going on........

 

[Eevo]

most important maintenance on long drives is the human.
get enough sleep
eat healthy
pull over when tired
etc etc

 

[shamma020]

I've only had the car for 6 months so I don't know what was done before that. I'll change fluids and filters like I said, I'm not looking into doing any mods, just want to know general advance maintenance.

I don't think I'm overthinking it, I'm just being careful. It's running really well at the moment but also isn't doing 1000km a day in 40deg heat.

What do I look for if the coolant needs a flush? Or o2 sensor need changing?

Already have basics like bulbs, blades, serp belt, fuel.

Cheers!

 

[VS_Pete]

1000km a day so you have backup drivers yes?

 

[EYY]

i used to take a dfi module with me when i went on long trips but that was only because my car had a history of burning them out.

I leave one in the car now. Not much you can do when you're in the middle of nowhere and run out of spark

 

[edals]

If you maintain your car it should be fine.
Also carry spare water, food, mobile and have a good towing road side assist package.

 

[Immortality]

O2 sensors if it's using a lot of fuel. If the fuel economy is within the expected norm than I wouldn't necessarily bother with it.

Coolant system, do you know the vehicle service history? IF not you have a couple of options have it tested, just change it or leave it alone.

Been a V6 engine there are a number of issues that depending on service history and mileage I would be looking at.

V6 engines have a issue with intake gaskets. IF it's a high mileage engine and the coolant needs doing I would consider doing the intake gaskets and water pump at the same time as doing the coolant. I would also fit a new thermostat and radiator cap at the same time as doing the coolant and as others have mentioned, possibly the radiator hoses as well. But on the other hand, why disturb something that is running well..............

 

[figjam]

1,000 km a day on that road..piece of cake......unless you are taking diversions into Adelaide and Melbourne.
Things to have.....RAC (or similar) membership, sonic animal repellers, (about $5), good tyres, a feed of KFC and plenty of Coke, (to ensure that you have reasons to wind the windows down for some fresh air).
Fuel economy...should be less than 10L /100km, so you shouldn't need to carry extra fuel.

 

[shamma020]

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=171278834391&alt=web

Does that seem good value?

Car has 145k on it, service history not very clear, not in regards to cooling system anyway. Might have it checked out.

I have a backup driver yes, but that's all she will be, a backup in case I cark it! Haha do those sonic repellers work??

 

[Reaper]

Hey all,

In December I'm driving from Perth to Sydney, I'm just wondering what preventative maintenance is suggested to do before a long drive in potentially hot days! My mechanic said maybe a coolant flush, o2 sensors..

I'd like to do as much as I can myself to save the coin, I don't know a lot but can pick it up pretty easily with a good how-to. I'd also like to improve fuel economy as much as I can now because the car will be fully laden (wagon with all our stuff). So will change air filter, fuel filter, run some injector cleaner and probably clean the maf sensor/throttle body. Is it worth a coolant flush and changing o2 sensors? Any other advice?

Cheers guys! Looking forward to getting under the car and making her purr.

Shamma

If the car is otherwise reliable and regularly maintained car I'd just check fluid levels are ok. I'm not sure why a trip to Sydney would require O2 sensors. Just fkn drive it.

Don't over think it, if the car is reliable now then there isn't a need to suddenly go changing a whole lot of stuff.

A good service wouldn't hurt and neither will a coolant flush but get all these things done well before hand so that if something does occur after the work it will happen before you get into the journey.

^^^ That