Pre-road trip check list

[mamzak]

Going on a 2000km road trip tomorrow, and want to make sure I don't miss anything. Car is a 91 318is.

I just got new tires as the old ones were bald as shit, wheel alignment as well.

Tomorrow morning i'm going to change the oil, gearbox oil, diff fluid, and put new brake pads on. Anything else I should do prior to leaving?

[tjts1]

ear plugs

[e34john]

I usually to the maintenance a few days or a week ahead of time to make sure everything went right and I have no leaks. How old are the components in the cooling system and the brake fluid? Don't forget to load up on Mountain Dew and beef jerky

[blunttech]

whenever i change belts,hoses etc if the old ones are still serviceable i throw them in a box in the trunk. bring some fan belts, a roll of duct tape and a gallon or 2 of water/coolant. maybe some wire and of course tools.

[rThor432]

I'll think into it more later when I've got more time, but for now I'll agree with Blunt's mention of "wire". Also, bring new relays or replace yours before the trip.

Having spare wire in the car (with or without connectors) has saved me on various occasions. One that comes to mind is when I was at the bank with my S52 car. I parked it and it wouldn't fire when I tried to start it up. The source? Fuel pump relay actually blew a hole out the side of the cover. I jumped it and drove to work with no problem.

On the way back from Vintage at the Vineyards a couple years ago, the main relay on my 323i crapped out. Luckily, Mitch M told me I was crazy to drive around on those "25 year old relays" and he gave me some relays before the trip. Saved me a call to the tow truck..