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View Full Version : What to do/check before a 2000+ mile drive? (on a 97 Leg)



tjdzor
07-13-2012, 06:04 AM
So i picked up my 97 BD (2.2l/auto) a couple of months ago and i've been checking and fixing various small issues with it, not really anything significant other than new tires, but what else would you guys suggest doing before i depart on a drive down the Alaska highway and back to Montana?

Thus far i've done a couple oil changes since the car was sitting prior to me buying it, new air filter, wipers, sea foamed it, new tires on it, checked the plugs, all fluids look good, spare is aired up, jack is present and works, replaced any burned out bulbs including HVAC controls and Cruise Control button illumination, replaced the Alt/PS belt and checked/bled the brakes (they squeek but pads and rotors are fine). I also popped one of the side timing covers and looked at the belt, and well it looked like a normal timing belt to me...

What else would you do/check before departing on such a drive? I don't have a ton of tools up here but have access to most basics.

It leaks a small amount of oil, just enough to be oily, and smell it on the manifold when stopped but not a consumption issue. And i've been getting the lowest of 23MPG and high of 26MPG, all various mixes of highway/city driving.

Reason
07-13-2012, 09:14 AM
Looks like you have the basics covered. The day before you leave check the fluid levels and keeps a quart or two of oil. Also check the conditions of your radiator hoses, replace them if they seem flimsy.

tjdzor
07-14-2012, 02:18 AM
Have extra oil and such, plan to check fluids and tires night before.

Good call on checking the hoses, gonna replace a rusty hose clamp too.

Odycee
07-14-2012, 08:20 AM
I just took 1500+ mile RT with my 95 Legacy and concerned about summer over heating long drive. I flushed and changed my coolant with fresh green Prestone and deionized water. It costs less than $20 and worth a piece of mind for a long trip especially going up hill 6% grade.

Dead91silvia
07-14-2012, 11:37 AM
-water/oil levels
-tires (make sure they are in good shape) including the spear
-washer fluid... I think I'm joking dont you?! No joke! Your window will get nasty in the summer time...
-all lights work. Head, tail, markers, signals
-Take extra oil, coolant, a set of jumper cables, fuel can, metric tool set
-belts are good...

Thats about all I can think of as of now...

Wiscon_Mark
07-14-2012, 08:27 PM
Make sure that spare tire is filled to the correct pressure, too!

Pack duct tape. Seriously. Small metric wrench set, a multi screwdriver's great to have. Paper towel roll, some rubber/nitrile gloves. Anything you think you'd need to be an effective roadside mechanic if the unthinkable happened.

And a flashlight, definitely have one or two of those. You never want to be stranded at dusk or dark without a source of light. Cell chargers are a great thing to have just in case. First aid kit, too.

I guess I'm more of a "prepare for the worst" kind of guy :lol:

FWIW, I've taken my old Subaru on all sorts of trips and its never once failed me. Hell, dead batteries were the only reason it ever didn't start. As long as you don't have any major known issues, and you've got the fluid levels right, you should be just fine.

tjdzor
07-15-2012, 07:52 PM
Thanks guys, i think i'm on basically the same page, i'll be sure to update in Aug once i make the trip :)

tjdzor
07-22-2012, 04:09 AM
Battery is cleaned and Pos terminal clamp was replaced when i noticed it was almost completely corroded through hah!

tjdzor
08-14-2012, 01:05 AM
Drive went great, used/leaked a quart of oil over 2200mi, averaged 28mpg overall with the trunk and back seat loaded and 2 people. So now i've put about 5k on it and couldn't be happier!