| kalyanakrishna |
Hello all,
I have a long drive coming up: From bay area to Las Vegas and back.
I am a new proud owner of 2003 Acura MDX touring. I am just wondering if you guys have any suggestions about doing a checklist before I start.
Thanks,
Kalyan |
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| RSM |
quote:
Originally posted by kalyanakrishna
Hello all,
I have a long drive coming up: From bay area to Las Vegas and back.
I am a new proud owner of 2003 Acura MDX touring. I am just wondering if you guys have any suggestions about doing a checklist before I start.
Thanks,
Kalyan
We recently drove from Vancouver, BC to San Diego. Before the trip, I had an oil change and changed my tires as the tread is pretty low. Make sure your headlights and turn signal lights and brake lights are all working fine. Don't forget the windshield wiper fluid. Try to take a rest every 2 to 3 hours or every time your gas tank is half filled. You won't get tired this way. Bring lots of water, drinks and snacks. If you have a Navi, that's great. Otherwise, it will really help to have a portable GPS especially if you are driving at nightime and it is raining. |
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| kalyanakrishna |
Hi RSM,
Thank you for a detailed reply. I appreciate your response. However, long drives are nothing new to me. I did the Vegas drive once already with a rental car.
I was specifically looking for any advice on Acura MDX. I forgot about the wiper fluid. Thanks for the reminder. |
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| midnightMDX |
| RSM made some good points. Just make sure all fluids are good. Dont forget to inspect your spare tire, make sure its properly inflated. That trip isnt too bad, you'll be fine. |
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| kalyanakrishna |
| Thanks for another one! I have never checked the spare tire. |
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| bolt |
| Great points above........especially packing a good cooler/ Avoids all the hi-priced 5-6buck BLTs ;) I made it from BOS to FL keys/grassykey/on 278bucks of gas last yr when it was in the 3.15 a gal and up range. Thats all I spent, I slept in the truck @ a Truck stops on bunch of pillows. But I'd also say REST alot,..from experiance. Good Luck! |
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| kalyanakrishna |
Thanks for all the advice. I checked under the hood today morning. Radiator coolant is half way to the minimum. Engine oil is fine. Power steering fluid is half way to the minimum and bake fluid is topped of.
Some questions:
I checked:
1) brake fluid - full
2) power steering fluid = half
3) radiator coolant = half
4) engine oil = full
5) spare tire = ok
6) Wiper fluid = cant see
Anything I missed?
Now ....
do I need to top off the fluids that are half through or can I wait till after the trip. I am only worried about the radiator coolant .. rest I know can wait.
Wiper washer ... is that just water or anything else?
Thanks,
Kalyan |
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| midnightMDX |
| I would top everything off, so you wouldnt have to worry about it. If you are in a warm climate, water would be ok. Washer fluid usually has a lower freezing point for winter use(cold climate)or sometimes other things like RainX. |
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| RSM |
quote:
Originally posted by kalyanakrishna
Thanks for all the advice. I checked under the hood today morning. Radiator coolant is half way to the minimum. Engine oil is fine. Power steering fluid is half way to the minimum and bake fluid is topped of.
Some questions:
I checked:
1) brake fluid - full
2) power steering fluid = half
3) radiator coolant = half
4) engine oil = full
5) spare tire = ok
6) Wiper fluid = cant see
Anything I missed?
Now ....
do I need to top off the fluids that are half through or can I wait till after the trip. I am only worried about the radiator coolant .. rest I know can wait.
Wiper washer ... is that just water or anything else?
Thanks,
Kalyan
On our last trip, I forgot to bring my cd's with me. Got no mp3 player on my X. I used the radio but there are areas where the songs being played were not to my liking so make sure you have your favorite songs with you. I brought a couple of energy drink like Red Bull. |
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| kalyanakrishna |
Thats what happened on my last trip in Dec 2007 ... A brand new Prius rental ... did not play mp3 CDs!! Who knew ... I did not realize that till I was on Pacheco pass. I was stuck with the radio throughout that trip .... Something was better than nothing .. especially they have that "Desert Highway Station" (IIRC) ... that was ok to some extent. Now I have my iPOD loaded up with all my songs to last for 5 continuous days. Put it on shuffle and let it roll ....
BTW, did any one here take the Yosemite route to Vegas? |
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| JayMar88 |
Make sure you check the basics.
1. Fluids - oil/coolant/ brake/ ps (also check your accessory belts for cracking and hoses for swelling and aging.)
2. Wiper Blades (change them if you're even a little unsure cheap insurance)
3. Check tires and air pressure
4. Check spare
5. Wash and wax car (some say you'll get better mpg with a nice wax job.LOL)
6. Wipe inside windows and windshield.
7. Check all lights for proper operation.
Other than that, you should be in the clear. I always like to give the car a good cleaning before I take it on a trip. Makes me feel better. |
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| kalyanakrishna |
I bought the car from a dealer just 6 weeks ago .. so I am confident about the hoses and belts. I would definitely like to top off those fluids.
Yeah, got the car washed on Sunday, its pretty clean right now.
I am looking forward to see the mpg, I see 25+ mpg every time I am on a freeeway or even a decent continuous ride. I love to see how much I get on I5 with that 70 mph speed limit.
Last trip, the Prius gave me about 45 mpg but I will never take that car again on a that long trip. |
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| JayMar88 |
quote:
Originally posted by kalyanakrishna
I bought the car from a dealer just 6 weeks ago .. so I am confident about the hoses and belts. I would definitely like to top off those fluids.
Yeah, got the car washed on Sunday, its pretty clean right now.
I am looking forward to see the mpg, I see 25+ mpg every time I am on a freeeway or even a decent continuous ride. I love to see how much I get on I5 with that 70 mph speed limit.
Last trip, the Prius gave me about 45 mpg but I will never take that car again on a that long trip.
With our 08 we've been getting 22+ at 75mph. |
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| Sinecure |
quote:
Originally posted by midnightMDX
I would top everything off, so you wouldnt have to worry about it. If you are in a warm climate, water would be ok. Washer fluid usually has a lower freezing point for winter use(cold climate)or sometimes other things like RainX.
Around here the stock washer fluid you buy at the auto parts store or that gets put in your car when you take it for service is not freeze-proof. Even in the winter. Of course it never freezes here, but drive a few hours into the mountains and its a different story. I always make sure to buy my fluid in Tahoe and fill it up right before I take the car in for service - especially at this time of year and in the winter.
Kalyan, you know that you can turn off the A/C and still leave the temp guage in "auto" mode, right? That'll save you some $$ on gas if its not too hot during your drive. Its been cool at night lately around here so maybe you'll get lucky. I find turning off the A/C saves me a ton of gas. |
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| kalyanakrishna |
Sinecure,
I am back already ... the trip was nice. Had fun.
Yeah, I didnt use the A/C at all. It was in auto all the time and I just make minor adjustments. And since there is no one in the back seat, the "Rear Manual" is always on and I turn off the rear fans.
I have to go and get some washer fluid later. Its still ok now.
Thanks everyone. |
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| midnightMDX |
| Glad you had a fun trip. Post some pics if you can. |
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| kalyanakrishna |
I didnt take any of the car, unfortunately.
But here is the car at home in the bay area.
hmm .. how do I attach a pic here? |
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| midnightMDX |
| When you post a reply, there is a section that says Browse. You can only add one at a time. Unless you have the pictures hosted somewhere. |
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| kalyanakrishna |
| I had to resize and reduce the size to attach here. :) |
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| midnightMDX |
| Midnight blue. Sweet! :D |
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| kalyanakrishna |
hey hey hey ...
Its Bali blue (I think) |
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| G. COLTON |
quote:
Originally posted by kalyanakrishna
I had to resize and reduce the size to attach here. :)
You need o further resize and reduce.
G |
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| midnightMDX |
quote:
Originally posted by kalyanakrishna
hey hey hey ...
Its Bali blue (I think)
You have an 03, its Midnight Blue Pearl. Bali Blue is offered on 09 MDX. |
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| kalyanakrishna |
ah! my bad ... middnight blue sounds much better. :)
ok .. next time. This is the first time I attached a pic. |
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