Driving Down - need help (?s for "car people")

jenfur

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 3, 2000
Messages
1,402
We are driving down to WDW From Va/NC border area - we have done this before but our van was much newer then . What preparations do you make on your car/van to make it down ? For some reason we are getting really nervous about it . How much tread on the tires is really needed ? I am usually a ignore it and go on type , but my DH (who knows nothing about cars) is worrying endlessly. :confused:
 
I would take it into whatever place you normally have work done and have the fluids, the tire pressure checked, change the oil.

How many miles do you have on the van and have you ever changed the tires or had them rotated?

I am not mechanically inclined but those are the things that I would check, I am sure that someone else will have other info for you.
 
I have a 1999 Caravan with 89,000 miles on it . We bought tires last year before our WDW trip in Dec. We had a tune up about two months ago . We plan on having the oil changed the week we go .
 
We always drive our old 1992 Nissan Sentra. It has LOTS of miles on it, but it is the best car in the whole world!! We always take it to the garage and have a complete check-up before a long trip. We just tell them we are getting ready for a long trip and we want them to check everything - tires and all. They always tell us if they spot something that might be a probelem on our trip. We also always have the oil changed. We have never had any problems so far!
 

89,000 miles is not too many miles and since the van is relatively new, I would do as has been suggested, perhaps take it to a Dodge dealer unless you have a prefered, trusted mechanic, and get the oil change, belt(s) checked, hoses, etc. Tell them you are about to go on a long trip and want to take care of anything that should not wait untill you get back. Be wary that having told them about a long trip, they may recommend items that really don't need fixing right away. If confused by their advise, take it to another garage for a second opinion.

With that mileage, one thing I would recommend having inspected is the serpentine belt. This belt runs everything under the hood that is powered by the engine (power steering, power breaks, alternator, a/c, etc.). The cost of replacing the belt should be about $100.00.

Also, if your van uses a timing belt and it hasn't been replaced, it is way past due. Most imports use a timing belt that wears out about every 60,000 miles. This belt is inside the engine and if it goes, the engine could be seriously damaged because the parts in the engine that are synchronized would no longer be in sync and would start coliding into each other. The cost of replacing it would be about $250-$400. However, just ask if your van has one, most domestic brands have a timing chain instead of a belt. Typically, the chains aren't likely to give any trouble with your mileage.

Having given all of this advise LOL, I am in no way a car care expert. There may be other items that need to be serviced and only a qualified service technician can determine if there is, but your van should not be past its prime by any means so you shouldn't have to worry about car trouble unless there is something you know about, or if it has started giving you problems.

Have a great trip!
 














Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top