Hey guys, I'm gearing up to go on a little west coast road trip that starts tomorrow. Thought I'd get your opinions:

What would you check before going on a ~5000mi trip, what spare parts would you bring, and what tools?

I've replaced the following in the last month:

• Brakes (rotors, pads)
• FL wheel bearing
• Strut assemblies (strut mounts, struts)
• Cylinder head + gaskets
• BPV
• Power steering pump+fan
• Alignment

I am already bringing:

• Fix-a-flat
• Tire iron
• 8-18mm ratcheting wrenches
• 6-22mm socket set
• Long needlenose pliers
• Torx bit set
• MINI factory jack kit
• Spare oil, spare coolant, spare gallon of water
• Zipties, duct tape, electrical tape
• Escort Passport 8500 x50 Black

What else would you bring? How important is it that I change the brake fluid before I go? Anything else need to be replaced? I'll be taking twisties the whole way to Portland. All are welcome to join!

 

Didn't you just do the brakes? I would not bother to change the fluid especially you are at the 11th hour before a big trip, unless you paddle feel soft or there is pulling to one side.

additional things to bring:
vise grip; screwdriver; LED flashlight; tire pressure gauge; lot of drinking water; towels; harbor freight DMM; first aid kit

As much as I like the twisties, in some places I avoid 2 lane highways. Way too much don't give a sh** driving going on in this mobile age. Make yourself visible turning on headlights. Stay away from heavy vehicles. Safety is number one.

Have a great trip!

 

How old is your coolant overflow tank?

 

I would bring an AAA card and a credit card.
That's all.

 

I would change the super charger belt before leaving so you don't have to worry about that on your trip.

Make sure your A/C is working correctly or buy the self charging can with gauge and check the charge.

Bring a good LED flashlight.

 

A set of mechanics gloves in the event you need to make a fix while the car is hot.
Shop towels. Not even a whole roll, just a few.
2nd the vice grip and flashlight.
Skip the duct tape, grab some gorilla tape.

 

A couple of Franklin s in addition...

 

Weather will be AZ like this week so you will feel at home. Ugh

 

Close but not like home. We have two distinct seasons here - rain, and no rain.

No monsoon, and is dry heat (like dry sauna) just when he arrives.

 

You worry too much.

I would of packed a spare, already have jack and all the tools, AAA card and a credit card like stated above.

 

A camera. Without pictures, it didn't happen.

 

Your trip is already underway, so FWIW, and for other readers . . .
I recommend a roll of paper towel and glass cleaner.

Gas stations are hit or miss whether they have good window wash stations with squeegees.

For long road trips, you can quickly clean your windows wherever and whenever you want.

This stuff (Sprayway) is safe to use on window tint.
Available at Walmart and Amazon.com
It's foamy and works great.

 

Woah, thanks for all the tips and good luck wishes, guys! The coolant overflow is less than a year old.

vise grip; check
screwdriver; check
LED flashlight;
tire pressure gauge; check
lot of drinking (and distilled) water; check
towels; check
multimeter; check
first aid kit; check
gloves; check
shop towels; check
credit card; check
insurance; check

A/C works okay, but I'll be windows down 75% of the time. The only time I have the windows up is when I'm doing 80+. Anyways, about to leave the house! Just got a few last things to pack up, and then I'm on my way to San Diego. Stopping at Salvation Mountain and Bombay Beach on the way there.

 

Just saw this. Brought my T2i+stockie lens+50mm prime+wide angle attachment+macro filter. I took a few thousand photos, I just haven't had time to process em and write up a story. Life has been insane since I got back.

I'll have the photos processed after this hell week of midterms, I promise!

 

Portable battery jumper.

 

Jumper cables and a tow strap.

 

Fuses assortment
maybe gas can if youll be remote
hot babe