Maintenance "CHECK" for your car before the BIG Drive to WDW

[brunette8706]

Hey all!

We're thinking about driving to WDW from Maryland. I currently have a 1997 BMW 318i. Currently the vehicle gives me no problems, but is their any precautions I should take for the car before I drive 2000 miles round trip? In other words do you take your car to a mechanic for a "diagnostic" to make sure everything is good to go! LOL! I don't want to break down or anything.

Any suggestions and or comments?

Thanks all!

Brunette

 

[Drew Sailbum]

Oil change. Lubricate chassis.

Check and top up all fluids. Address any leaks (low brake or transmission fluid is a warning sign).

Check brake shoes and rotors.

Check A/C system coolant pressure. You are going to Florida in the summer!

Check tires and alignment and properly adjust tire pressure.

 

[Lewisc]

Check your spare. Get extra windshield washer fluid. Replace your wiper blades.

 

[brunette8706]

Oil change. Lubricate chassis.

Check and top up all fluids. Address any leaks (low brake or transmission fluid is a warning sign).

Check brake shoes and rotors.

Check A/C system coolant pressure. You are going to Florida in the summer!

Check tires and alignment and properly adjust tire pressure.

*******

Hi Drew!

Is this what you tell your mechanic? What about the "timing belt". Should that be replaced? As always thank you so much for your reply!

 

[brunette8706]

Check your spare. Get extra windshield washer fluid. Replace your wiper blades.

**
Thank you Lewis! Great idea! Brunette

 

[skiingfast]

Is it kept up? If you don't have any current problems then I wouldn't take the time for a diagnostic text. If you haven't had a full service oil change, where they check more than the oil and wiper fluid, in a while then get one.

Otherwise a long trip is not really different than a bunch of short trips.

 

[sam_gordon]

Otherwise a long trip is not really different than a bunch of short trips.

Except you are away from home (and possibly other transportation (ie: Spouse's vehicle). If the car breaks down you have it towed to a nearby garage. Are you going to wait on it (presumably)?

You don't say how much mileage is on the car, I'm going to guess 130-150K. Personally, I *WOULD* take it to my mechanic. They have a "trip inspection" that does a detailed look at the car. Even if it's $100, that's piece of mind.

Now, don't just take it to any mechanic. Ask around, find references. Find someone that's been in business 30-40-50+ years.

 

[brunette8706]

Except you are away from home (and possibly other transportation (ie: Spouse's vehicle). If the car breaks down you have it towed to a nearby garage. Are you going to wait on it (presumably)?

You don't say how much mileage is on the car, I'm going to guess 130-150K. Personally, I *WOULD* take it to my mechanic. They have a "trip inspection" that does a detailed look at the car. Even if it's $100, that's piece of mind.

Now, don't just take it to any mechanic. Ask around, find references. Find someone that's been in business 30-40-50+ years.

**
Hi Sam!

Great advice. I have approximately 152,000 miles on the car. Yes the piece of mind is what I like! Thanks so much for your suggestion.

Brunette

 

[Lewisc]

152,000--I'd do whatever maintenance is suggested at 160K (maybe 175K). Check the manual. Maybe hoses, maybe belts.

 

[brunette8706]

152,000--I'd do whatever maintenance is suggested at 160K (maybe 175K). Check the manual. Maybe hoses, maybe belts.

**
Okay, thank you Lewis!

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

Given the mileage on your car, the timing belt needs to be changed, long trip or not. No, they don't fail that often. But, if they do, it's catastrophic to your motor.

Other than that, just get a full service oil change. In it, they check all the fluids, filters, and lube mentioned earlier. I would not bother with a computer diagnostic at this time if your 'check engine' light is not on.

Last, I like to apply Rain-x to my windshield before any Florida trip. It has the added benefit of making it easier to wash love bugs off.

 

[Lewisc]

Given the mileage on your car, the timing belt needs to be changed, long trip or not. No, they don't fail that often. But, if they do, it's catastrophic to your motor.

Other than that, just get a full service oil change. In it, they check all the fluids, filters, and lube mentioned earlier. I would not bother with a computer diagnostic at this time if your 'check engine' light is not on.

Last, I like to apply Rain-x to my windshield before any Florida trip. It has the added benefit of making it easier to wash love bugs off.

Timing belts normally get changed at either 60K or 90K. IF the OPs car had a timing belt it should have already been changed. I'm pretty sure the OPs car has a timing chain. AFAIK timing chains only get replaced if there is a problem.

I'll repeat my previous suggestion. Do whatever maintenance (belts,hoses etc) is suggested at 160-170K. Otherwise check tire pressure, change the wiper blades and probably change the oil and they should be good to go.

 

[Sadie22]

Tuesday my 10-year-old truck which will be riding down to Florida on the Autotrain but carrying us back home after the vacation started to overheat for the first time ever. The service engine soon light had come on on Monday but gone off again. We had intended to take the vehicle in to have the codes read late Tuesday. The vehicle needed to have some parts including the thermostat replaced and the coolant system flushed and refilled.

The owner's manual of your vehicle probably contains a checklist of recommended service options. I definitely would not leave on the trip without having the vehicle checked over and any recommended maintenance performed.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

We have always had a AAA membership .................just in case something happens.

And on a couple of trips in the last few years, something did happen.

With one of them we were able to make it to a local dealership on our own.

On another occasion 36 hours prior to our trip, the vehicle had to be towed in. It was repaired 18 hours before our departure.............whew!

These are vehicles that had 100k and 150k on them and stuff "just happened". Both vehicles have been maintained and garaged since new.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

Timing belts normally get changed at either 60K or 90K. IF the OPs car had a timing belt it should have already been changed. I'm pretty sure the OPs car has a timing chain. AFAIK timing chains only get replaced if there is a problem.

I'll repeat my previous suggestion. Do whatever maintenance (belts,hoses etc) is suggested at 160-170K. Otherwise check tire pressure, change the wiper blades and probably change the oil and they should be good to go.

You're right, the 318i does have a chain. They stretch, but it's not worth worrying about yet. If you ever did have major motor work done, such as a head gasket replacement, then would be a good time to spring for a new chain (since it would need to be removed anyway).

PP also mentioned thermostat replacement. That's also a good thing to do, if it's never been done. As they get older, they don't open as they should, and coolant doesn't flow very well.

If the worst case happens, there is an auto repair center on Disney property (I believe it's run by AAA). So, you wouldn't have to worry about finding a mechanic.

 

[brunette8706]

PI Squirrel and Lewis-

GREAT SUGGESTIONS! Thank you all so much! I had no idea the timing belt was a chain! The thing is, though, I don't know if it has been changed or not. Is this something the dealer would know. Once again, thank you both for all your great ideas and suggestions, it is really appreciated.

Brunette

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

PI Squirrel and Lewis-

GREAT SUGGESTIONS! Thank you all so much! I had no idea the timing belt was a chain! The thing is, though, I don't know if it has been changed or not. Is this something the dealer would know. Once again, thank you both for all your great ideas and suggestions, it is really appreciated.

Brunette

The dealer would know only if he changed it. It's an internal part, and not visible without some moderate work. Unfortunately, no one can look from outside and say for sure if it's been changed. Since it's a chain, don't sweat changing it before your trip. It's a few hundred dollar repair. My car has 175,000 miles on the original chain, and it's still going strong.

Best to keep to the simple, inexpensive, and quick repairs, such as oil, transmission fluid, coolant, windshield wipers and fluid, battery, tire pressure (don't forget the spare), brakes, and lights. Almost all of these a full service oil change place will check for you, and recommend any immediate concerns.

Have fun on your trip.

 

[victory-rc]

Just fly,dont drive. I did the drive and wont do it again.

back in 2002 we had a VW passat with 6000 miles and the timing belt let go with only 6000 miles as we stopped at the new jersey turnpike, we rented a room at our cost as we received the car back monday at 5pm . who needs it. just fly.