I am going to take a Road Trip to Knoxville area in January.
The only trip Winston has made was down to Islamorada in the keys from Fort Lauderdale. (200 Miles)
Any suggestions on car preparation or ideas for a three day round trip?

 

Check for "Summer" or "All Season" tire rating, mine (15" six-spoke) came with "Grand Touring Summer" performance catagory,
not good for snow/ice.

Enter your tire at TireRack.com to see your specs.

 

Bearcat,

3 day round trip to Knoxville from south Florida! All you are going to be doing is driving, which is fun in a Mini, but still lots of driving.

If you haven't driven the Dragon before, you should plan to do it. It is Hwy 129 south of Knoxville. 300+ curves (I think that's right) in 11 miles. It's a fun drive, but watch your speed and stay on your side of the road. The cops are kind of picky about it.

 

I thought "The Dragon" was in North Carolina. If not we are looking to move near the "Smokies" and are on a fact finding trip. The Dragon will definitely come after the move.

 

The Dragon is kinda on the way. between Asheville and Knoxville. You shouldn't miss a chance at driving down The Dragon. Bragging rights and all.
Man, South Florida is parking lot flat. Heading into mountains will be like going from 2D to 3D. This outa be fun!

OK, couple of things. Check your fluid levels and tire pressure before you go and before you come back. Watch your speed. Keep and ear on the radio for weather. Conditions can change fast.
That trip in 3 days is gonna be alot of driving. Make sure to stop and walk around every few hours. Days are short this time of year. Easy to fall asleep in the dark.
Enjoy the ride.

 

I've done that drive, kind of. I went to college in at Atlanta and drove back and forth from Kingsport, TN. Usually, I took 85 up to SC and then drove to Ashville, but I've done the drive via 75 through Knoxville as well.
Are you going to Knoxville? If so, we visted some of my gf's friends over Christmas, and a lot of interstate 40 in downtown Knoxville is shut down. Not a big deal, but you might want to double check your route with the Tennessee Department of Transportation website to make sure your final exit is still accessable.

I took the drive with my new MINI from Philly to Bristol,VA (then on to Knoxville, back to Bristol, and then back to Philly) last week for Christmas, and the only hitch was figuring out how to fit my Christmas presents and my gf back into the car for the trip back. We figured it out eventually, and Zoe (my gf) eneded up not having to take Greyhound back to Philly (kidding!).

Oh, all I did was check my tire pressure when I got to Bristol. It seemed fine, although some of the tires were a little over inflated. For multiple passangers plus luggage, the door plate recommended an inflation of 33 psi. I think they inflate the tires to 38 psi at the dealer for improved handling. So, check your tires (when they are cool, preferrably early in the mornnig before any driving is done) to see to what PSI they are inflated.

Have a good trip!

 

Thanks for the advice.
We are going Jan 17th and hope to be there with breaks and a night stop on Sunday. We are look to relocate and will look around the Servierville Area.
Really don't know if we can swing the "Dragon", but if we move forward with the relocation then it will be very easy to do from there.

 

I second the winter tire advice. Michelin Alpins and BFG Blizzaks are wonderful on cold asphalt, snow, and ice.







Michelin Pilot Alpins: $400.
Running low 12's through a deserted Deal's Gap in the snow; priceless...

 

Money being tight I don't see a urgent need to change tires for a three day trip. My GPS is mapping us via I-75, but the return might present the opportunity to hit "The Dragon" how ever I would prefer to do it with the right equipment. If there is a "snow" issue and my tires (All weather) are a problem, then we will wait. My wife has a 2006 Mazda Miata and she should also have fun on that road. Just a little slower.

 

I live in K-town (Knoxville). Great place to live. Nice size city and major university town. Also mountains, lakes, lots of things to do outdoors (including lots of twisty back roads)! Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg is a rapidly growing area and is great if you like bumper to bumper traffic 24/7 (hope you have an automatic). Definitely hit the dragon while you're in the area, it's about 1 hour from west Knoxville. But a drive through the National Park is very nice as well. Snow or ice could be an issue, it has snowed some over that way this year and can start snowing at any time it seems like. No need for special tires though, you will either be able to drive those roads if they are clear or you won't if there is any ice at all. Good luck with your trip!

 

If the asphalt is below 40 degrees:
Summer tires will let you safely drive at 3/10's.
All seasons at 5/10's.
Winter tires at 7/10's or more if there's no salt or sand on the road.
The different rubber compounds harden at different temperatures. Like the other guy said, just eyeball the road surfaces. Minis are surprisingly good in moderate snow and are better on ice than my Jeep. Really.
This was me a couple of weeks ago on that same stretch of road in the pictures above; I don't think the Mini would've crashed:
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=21498

 

I like to hear Mini does better on anything.
Question, What or where can I find the tire rating you posted ( 3/10, 5/10 & 7/10).
I don't know what they mean.

 

Yes, I've been to TireRack.com for some information but I would also like to learn about those ratings,
as well as "84H, Temperature A, Traction AA and Treadwear 280"? TIA