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You had the timing belt and water pump replaced? right?
I would take the following:
jump starter (if you have one)
jumper cable
3/8 socket set,extension set, and ratchet
Metrics Combination wrench set
flash light + battery
plier
Paper map (GPS does get confused or break)
waterCheck for fluid leak
Check the condition of the belts
Check for suspension problems
Check the condition of air filter
Check the battery condition (if old)Excellent suggestions. The timing belt was replaced at 31000 miles by the previous owner a few months before I bought it 4 years ago. I assume it was replaced due to age not miles. The water pump I don’t know. I know this only because I found a sticker on the timing belt cover indicating dare and mileage of t belt change
My wife wants to rent a van but I want to drive my own van.
I would do a good solid visual inspection and change any necessary fluids.
Take a good selection of tools with you for any road side emergencies. Make sure your spare tire is in good condition as well.
A first aid kit would be any benefactor in my opinion.
But great post above also on other items to check/bring with you.
I used to lug around a pretty good tool kit on long trips, but I’ve stopped doing that because I never really needed it and it is a lot to carry around. No harm in bringing some sockets, wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, etc., but I would focus on PM rather than lugging too many tools along. As a practical matter, if something goes wrong with the car that actually forces you to stop, it is unlikely that you will be able to fix it without a good place to work and a lot more tools than you’ll want to bring with you (scan tool, multimeter, jackstands, a good jack, light, shop supplies, fluids, drain pans, extensions, prybar, hammer, penetrant, socket u-joints, etc.)
I just keep up with maintenance, look over the vehicle carefully for damage prior to the trip, fix anything I find that is marginal, and then take the risk I’ll need the services of a shop if something major and unanticipated goes wrong– but I haven’t had that happen yet and I think it is unlikely.
Rick, you make some very good points in your reply. Tomorrow I am going to my van a real good inspection. My oil, battery, and front brakes/rotors/calipers are fairly new so I should be good there.
Last year I nearly got into trouble on the Blue Ridge Parkway when my left front brakes started pouring smoke. Luckily after extended cooling down and some tender driving I made it home 700 miles later
That’s when I found that the caliper guide pins were frozen with rust.
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