I will be driving accross the country immediately after driving off the lot in my new MCS. Any tips?

 

Congrats on your new car, where are you buying and where are you headed? I did the same thing from Classic to WA state.

After you leave the dealer, stop at a gas station and check your fluids. They will probably be fine, but then is the time to find out if they aren't.

Vary your speed as much as possible for the first 500 miles or so. Stay under the MINI recommended rpm limit during that time. After that, start getting into it more and more.

Don't tailgate at all to avoid rock chips. If you don't want to permanantly install a clear bra, you might want to get some of the 3M adhesive material and rough cut it to cover as much of the front of the car as possible. Then just peel it off when you get home.

Change your oil as soon as possible after 1-2k miles. Mine was dark and funky at 3k.

If you stop to wash your car on the way, do it brushless.

 

I'm picking it up at South Motors in Miami then back to San Francisco. The plastic sounds like a good idea. I'm looking forward to the trip. Going to hit New Orleans on the way.

 

>>I will be driving accross the country immediately after driving off the lot in my new MCS. Any tips?

BAT,

Aloha from Hawaii and welcome to NAM.
Drive your MINI around the dealership a little first just to make sure that everything seems to be working fine.
Try out all of the control switches and adjustments. Make sure there are no rattles or things loose like trim.
Check the windshield for any chips or cracks and check the paint for any flaws. Make sure all fluids are full and keep checking oil and coolant level during your trip.

Bring a tire pressure gauge and check that the psi is about 32 to 37 all around. 37 for four people and 32 for two.
Take off your front license plate holder since you won't have a plate anyway. That will keep it from getting bashed up with bugs. It is just two screws holding in place. Put it in a bag. Bring the screwdriver with you.

Bring a windshield screen with you and lots of music CDs if you like. A cooler is nice and dark eyeglasses. Tint the windows 35% if you have some time.

The first 500 miles are to break in the tires, brakes, & clutch. In no time you will reach 1250 miles.
Have fun and stay away from large trucks carrying little and big rocks that fly out the back.

 

Aloha,

Thanks for the detailed bits, but how about the CD player break in period? When can I crank it up? Smoky or green colored lenses? Won't be able to tint the windows, so hopefully the air conditioner is substantial. So much to keep track of....

 

Also don't use cruise and vary your rpms. I had to do this too, was kinda fun going from 4th to 5th to 6th to 4th to 5th to 6th to 1st (joking) etc etc.

B

 

You are going to have a blast! what a way to see the country.

I'd suggest trying to stay away from main interstates and finding some back roads and highways if you have extra time. This will make it easier to vary your speed/rpm.

I found that on my 1600mi trip home the cruise control was very helpful. Just don't stay at the same speed or rpm for long periods of time. You can vary your speed with cruise control using the (+) and (-) buttons on the steering wheel.

don't eat in the MINI and try to stay away from fast food.

 

Congrats on your new car. Several people have driven cross country. I'd look up MiniClo, our forum moderator, and OmToast and send them a private message (P.M.) for cross country tips.

Hope you'll be able to return to the Bay Area for NorCalMINI's first birthday ride to Lake Berryessa on 5/23.

 

More than anything else ,HAVE FUN,
Then have more FUN
keep that up
should be OK

 

Along with your Owners Manual, your dealer should give you a directory of all the MINI dealers in the U.S., which could come in handy if you were to have a problem.

Congratulations on your new MINI.
Have fun.
Good luck.



_________________

 

So where can I get this 3M material?

Thanks for the tips!