Hi, I have an 85 300TD with 390,000 miles on it, which seems like a lot, but I've had it for over a year and it has literally never broken down, never even stalled. I had the turbodiesel overhauled when I first got it, also got new tires and brakes at that time. Recently I got a tune-up and they mentioned some stuff like it was leaking oil, but nothing serious.

My boyfriend and I are planning on driving from Portland, OR to Alaska (probably near Denali, in the mainland). It's about 2,500 miles. I have driven other cars that far, including a 79 Volvo that I bought for $800 that was in really bad shape and was constantly stalling and breaking down, but it made it to the East Coast and back to California with 4 people in the car, in 110 degree heat at some points. But it's a little different in the lower 48 where if the car breaks down, you can probably get it repaired nearby, or if it's totaled, take a bus/train back home.

I guess I'm worried about getting stranded along the Alaska highway and being forced to ditch my beloved car because it would be impossible to get it towed far enough to get it repaired unless I got super lucky and broke down near the extremely rare towns.

So my question is: are there any special issues about driving an older TD in the cold/snow? Probably the coldest it will get will be 30 degrees (yeah, even in May), but by the time we get to Alaska it will be warmer. I've already driven it in temps like that, and I've already driven it over snowy mountains several times (Mt Hood, etc), but not on such a long trip. Is there anything specific to diesel that I need to know to drive it in the cold/snow? If it does stall or break down, are there any quick fixes or things I could do (as someone with limited knowledge of cars) to get it going again? Any tools or parts I should bring just in case?

I plan on going back to where I got the tune-up to ask these same questions, but I'm afraid they'll tell me I need to get all kinds of work I don't need.... I can't afford anything unless it's really necessary.

Also, do I really need snow tires? I grew up in Minnesota so I know how to drive in the snow. I would be more worried about ice if I was going up a steep mountain road.

Any other ideas would be appreciated. We were going to take the ferry up there like we did last time, but it's just so much more expensive than driving, and it would be nice to have transport while we're there this time. Also, we want to bring our cats.

thanks for any advice!!