Prepping for road trip

[PowerFocer]

In October(ish) I'm going to be making a road trip of about 1000 miles for training and want to prepare my car for the long trip. I need ideas for what else I should do to make my car more comfortable / pleaseant / reliable for the long drive. Here's what I have so far:

-Swap my DZ101's for Yokohama touring tires sitting in my garage + Balance
-Alignment with camber peices (close to 0 with nothing in the car)
-Finish putting sound deadening all the way around the cabin
-Install sub and amp
-Fresh fluid check/change (duh)
-Lube bushings and joints (where applicable)
-Get some lumbar support thingys
-Car cover (It will be sitting mostly for about 3 months)
-Wash and Wax

-Antifreeze

I was thinking about getting those things that go on the upper part of the side windows that act as an extra sun screen. Not sure what they're called.

Any other ideas/experiences would help. This will be the longest single road trip this car has been on. Want to make it as nice as possible.

Thanks in advance,
PowerFocer

[Minchkin]

I am actually taking my trip from Ohio to California right now. We are somewhere in the middle of nowhere located in Illinois... I think...

Anyways, I recommend just doing regular maintenance and finding a full size spare to put in your trunk.

[Nickgt40]

1000 miles isn't really that long of a trip so I wouldn't sweat it too much.

If you haven't changed your fuel filter in some time, then that will probably help with mileage. Along with cleaning / replacing the air filter and cleaning your MAF.

[PowerFocer]

Its a long trip for me and I want to be comfortable.

I tried picking up a fuel filter from O'Reilly's but all they had was a WIX so I need to find a motorcraft one. I just don't want to get it from the $tealership. I only have 31K on the car right now though, so I should be fine.

And thanks for the full size spare idea minchkin.

[Nickgt40]

Hey no problem in that. I used my full size spare (for my car and others) a few different times, it was a great asset and I was very happy I brought it on my trip.

You're on the right track, bring a few basic tools with you as well. Duct tape, zip ties, electrical tape, a multi use screwdriver, etc will probably get you to a gas station if something does happen.

[Miller88]

Definitely do the full sized spare. It's probably not applicable in Vegas, but I use a winter tire as a spare in the summer. Head to local junkyard and see if you can find a decent 15'' tire and wheel from another Focus.

The fuel filter should be okay at only 31000 miles, however, it wouldn't be a bad idea to bring an extra in case you get some crappy gas (gas with crap in it). Are the fuel filters even serviceable on the Focuses?

There isn't anything able to be greased/lubricated on our cars.

Other than that, just make sure you carry some extra oil. I don't think it would be an issue in the dry desert, but here in the damp northest, people who do a lot of short trips get their oil "wet" or water laden then take off on a long trip and the engine finally gets up to temperature. When this happens, all the water evaporates out and they notice a pretty decent drop in oil level.

Wenever I take longer trips in any vehicle, I always carry all of my tools, a spare tire (full sized), extra oil, trans fluid (if applicable), brake fluid and jumper cables. This seems to work pretty well for roadside emergencies.

[Nickgt40]

The only liquid to add to that list at the bottom is some antifreeze / distilled water.

[PowerFocer]

I'm just going to get a new 16" steelie with a cheapo tire for my spare. I don't trust just about anything from a junkyard.

The fuel filter is serviceable, but I probably won't need it.

I'm going to grease the accessible bushings like my RSB since its aftermarket and it squeaks like crazy if its not lubed up.

It is very dry here and I do an oil change every 2500 miles with mobil one. Also my trip to work everyday is 60 miles round trip so I don't need to worry about "wet" oil. I've never even heard of that so that goes to show I am definitely from the desert.

I'm going to bring all tools I think are necessary, because there is no way I can take all my tools with me. I need a flatbed trailer to carry my toolbox. So far its assorted wrenches, oil filter wrench, fuel line disconnector, spark plug gapper (I have copper plugs), brake cleaner, various fluids, WD40, and jumper cables. Maybe other stuff, but that's just off the top of my head.

Any other suggestions for tools / supplies / modification are welcome. Its going to be sitting for most of the 3 months where I'm going, with very little driving so I need to take everything I will need to keep it extremely roadworthy during that time.


This may all seem like useless info, but its a good place to have it accessible.

[09vistabluecoupe]

Originally Posted by PowerFocer

The fuel filter is serviceable, but I probably won't need it.

My dealer told me it wasn't serviceable.

[Nickgt40]

Your dealer is an idiot then.

Jack the car up, look under the passenger side of the car, you'll see the filter underneath the car just in front of the gas tank.

You have to depressurize the system (which is very easy to do) a few hand tools and about 20 minutes and you're done.