What to prepare for 7,000 mile road trip on 220d
 

A bunch of friends and I are planning a road trip around the country in two benzes, probably a 72 220 d and a 76 300d any suggestions besides the obvious (oil change, tires, belts...) that I should do to these cars?

1. Get AAA
2. Carry a full toolbox, fuel filters, and any fluids you might EVER need (oil, atf, psf, etc)
3. Give many offerings to the god of diesel :D

Fluids
Fuel filters
Air filters
Full set of belts
Tools
Jumper Cables
Duck tape
Glow plugs
flares
flashlight
cell phones
Fix-a-flat
Beer
Bail money

Do ALL the maintenance you need, carry spare filters and fluids, etc. Bring your lap top with wireless so you can get to us if you have a problem.

Take me.
Digital Video cameras to post cool pics later.
BTW what's your itinerary, so far?

Bring some good music, too. If you're travelling through the bible belt, all you're going to find on the radio are country stations and praise stations. Not that God and Country music are bad things at all....I just can't listen to that stuff while I'm driving.

Since you brought up radio. Subscribe to XM, and set up a Sky-fi2 to broadcast to the FM radio. I'm so addicted to XM, that I won't even take a 5 minute hop into town without it. There are all kinds of choices for music on it, and you don't have to deal with the endless commercials like you do on (F)utiley (M)ismanaged radio.

If you do a search you may find some really good threads on this subject.. from a couple of years ago...

Don't forget A Tow Strap


"Bring your lap top with wireless so you can get to us if you have a problem."

That would be Epic.

Stranded in Death Valley and saved by the mob at mercedesshop.com

We could finally stop referring to those old moon landings,
when searching for an analogy about the pinnacle of mankind's technological achievements.

"Patric, this is Houston....
we're going to need you to make an air filter out of your socks."

"Houston, we have a problem, haven't changed them in 3 days, please send help."


"I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that."


"HAL?"

( with apologies to 'Apollo 13' - '2001: A Space Odyssey' & 'Christine' )

Probably lost in the horrific forum crash!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

:D Houston, we need fuel......

Well, what have you got handy for burnin?

Well, we have some cactus seed, and I happened to bring my seed press, bio-d processor, fuel washer, fungus killer, and WVO strainers with me.

Good thinking men, get to it!!



Gotta love diesels! :D :D

I guess I like to play it risky, this past summer I went on two long trips (and many sub 500 mile ones) first trip was to washington dc, week long, total miles 1,780 or so. Second was all the way around lake michigan and to oshkosh, WI....2.5 day trip, nearly 1,400 miles. All I brought on either was some extra fluids. Not so much as a wrench or a fuel filter. :D

If going on a 2,000+ mile trip I would definatley bring a lot of other stuff too though.....

road trip
 

I have a 69 220d and have found many age-related suspension problems. If you've only driven your 220d with light loads any suspension problems might not show up, such as the inability to steer the car, literally. I got sucked into the side of a semi on the interstate due to this. And I lost more than the left side body. Seriously, please do check the suspension, including all bushings before your trip.
And, I don't have the name of the forum member who said get AAA, but that is one good suggestion. I think mine cost's me $60 or so dollar's a year.

Longest trip I made with the SDL so far was about 700 miles. I brought some tools but they were a waste of space. I didn't even need to pop the hood the whole time. Maybe next year I will drive it to FL for fun, I probably won't bring a screw driver.

If you know the car you can usually spot problems before they become a problem. Also MB roadside and a cellphone is my plan B. :D

Make sure the maintaince is up and you have good tires. Also check and make sure your spare is in real good shape. You may have to run a awhile on it so if its 20 years old and rock hard replace it.