What to check before highway trip

[H-townbenzoboy]

Ok, here's my plan. I would very much like to drive my 82 300D to San Antonio on this Thanksgiving. Houston is about 200 miles from San Antonio, so I'm looking at about a 400 mile round trip here, close to 500 if a trip to the outlet mall in San Marcos is in order. My 'rents want to take the 95 Lex LS400 to S.A., or take it in for an oil change on Wednesday and get a RX330 or ES330 loaner from the stealership to up there. Now, I like all the cars I mentioned, they all drive great, although the Lexuses are newer and more comfortable. Their issue is something might break on the road on the 22 year old 300D, and they don't want to be stranded on the side of I-10. I told them I could follow them in my car, but, they don't like that idea for some reason. So, I figure if I go through a checklist, and check what needs to be checked and see if everything is in order, they'll be open to the idea of me following them. What SHOULD I check before I hope to hit the highway?
-Joe

The Lexus's are going to be much quieter, and much nicer to your back and behind

But things to check would be your belts, fuel filters, oil level, coolant level, hoses, and transmission fluid levels. Also check for things that might be loose or broken...

[P.E.Haiges]

H-town,

500 miles, that's just a hop, skip and jump. I just came back from a 7000 mile trip in my '80 300SD to Vegas and AZ that was 7000 miles.

Only part needed was one inline filter, which I always carry spares, and is a 5 minute job to replace.

P E H

[Hatterasguy]

The usual stuff belts cooling system ect. Also check your tire presure and if you plan on running over 100 add 9 psi!

[TwitchKitty]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Also check your tire presure and if you plan on running over 100 add 9 psi!

What? Where did that come from?

[Hatterasguy]

I was poking fun at the Germans for putting that in the fuel door on US spec cars!

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by H-townbenzoboy

So, I figure if I go through a checklist, and check what needs to be checked and see if everything is in order, they'll be open to the idea of me following them. What SHOULD I check before I hope to hit the highway?

Now why would you want to follow them in the 300D? What sense would that make? And you already know that it would be suicidal to all pile into the 300D for the trip. If anything does go wrong, you will never hear the end of it.

Save the 300D when you are making trips on your own.

Go with them in the Lexus and be done with it.

[Jim H]

I do a 400 miles round trip weekly for work.

I check the fuel gage, make sure the tank is at lease 3/4 full, or plan to buy more.

Last night it took 5 hours to go the 150 miles, the last 3 in a snowstorm. The SDL never missed a beat, but whoever decided that hidden wipers on the W126 were cool never drove in freezing rain and snow. Sheesh!! :p

Best Regards,
Jim

[whunter]

Cell Phone and car charger.
Wallet + $100.00 USD cash.
Keys.