Hello everyone,
On sunday i will begin a long 2500+ trip with my old 1983 300 turbodiesel. Ive had the car checked throughly, i had all lower ball joints and upper control arms replaced, new tires, front brakes replaced, rear axle replaced. All the fluids my mechanic said look good including fuel fliter. Now im a little scared because ive never taken a trip more than 5 hours with it, even though i have AAA. What spare parts should i bring with me that i can obtain in the next two days? The battery is new and the spare is good.

tools, fanbelts, oil, water, fuses, dry food, jack, can of fix a flat, blanket, flares & cell phone..I am sure there are more you could use..

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2000 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4
2006 Mazda Tribute
1983 Black 300 D (donated to charity)
1993 Teal 300 D (160K) Sold
"I love the smell of burnt diesel fuel in the morning, it smells like ....VICTORY"

Semper Fidelis
USMC 1973-1976

Have all of that you mentioned except fan belt (which ill buy tomorrow) and the cell phone (i guess i refuse to give in and buy one of those devices until they make them cheaper and clearer sounding). Thanks Diesel!

On a trip that long, I suggest that you carry a jug of diesel in the trunk. Running out of diesel fuel in the middle of nowhere without a cell phone would really take the fun out of any trip - long or short.

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1980 Mercedes 240D
1982 Mercedes 300SD
1985 Mercedes 300D
1993 Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel

I agree with everything mentioned earlier. But...perhaps the MOST important for a diesel on extended trips (or trips of any length) is extra fuel filters, both main and inline. You never know when you will get a tankful of bad fuel that will bring the engine to stop QUICKLY! Especially in parts of the country where you are not familiar with the quality of the fuel.

The trip should do the car well...have fun!!!

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Chris

'04 ML500 - 53k, Inspiration Edition, Desert Silver
'11 Audi A4 Avant - Brilliant Black
'87 300SDL sold
'99 C280 Sport sold
'85 190E 2.3 sold

I had almost 300,000 miles on my 240D before I started carrying a tool box in the trunk. I drove an average of 1,100 miles per week, and it was not uncommon to get in and drive 350 miles without getting out of it.

We also took my wife's 300DT from Texas to Wisconsin and I did not take a tool box. These cars are known for their reliability. You've already checked things over, so just watch your fluids and tire pressure, relax and enjoy the trip.

Gute Reise,

I would recommend enough drinks for you and the car.

Its a good fine Benz, Jeepboy - NOT TO WORRY. You've done all that is necessary.

Give us a few pictures of your tour?

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

did you have all the heater hoses checked ? a blown heater hose can mean a overheated engine real quick . I carry some small various size peices of heater hose ,clamps ,and wooden plugs so if I blow one I can isolate it till I get a replacement.can be kept in a small box in trunk with screw driver and dosn't take up much room . I also carry a couple of gallons of 50 50 anti freeze mix...
William rogers.......

Take the Ferrari tool kit: a credit card and a phone change

Have a great trip!

…Tracy

Thank you for the great tips!
I will look for fuel filters tomorrow and bring extra Diesel

I have had a radiator hose bust on me one time in my first car and I was stranded. Ever since then I keep a few pieces of pvc type pipe about 4 inches long and about the same outer diameter as the inner diameter as the hoses. I have two for the radiator and two for the heater hoses. Also a couple of clamps to splice them in in case of a break. Total cost about $3.00. I haven't had to use it yet but it will be worth every cent of that huge investment when I do. I also keep some tools, fix A flat, oil,fuses, jumper cables(used for other people so far)blanket,flares, those little had warmers, flashlight,first aid kit, matches, and a few other oddball things. I carry these things with me all the time. I have a plastic tote in the trunk. Ya never know. andy

You didn't say where you're going to, and what route you're taking. That could make all the difference in what would be suggested to you...

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Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

A flashlight is a good idea, along with extra oil and transmission fluid. Belts aren't a bad idea, but if your car has been checked by a good mechanic, you should be fine. These cars are so reliable that I'd suggest simply checking all your tire pressures, oil and ATF, clean the windows inside and out, and just go. An extra headlamp and some spare proper German wattage bulbs may be a good idea in case you blow a brake light because these affect the operation of the cruise control.

I would think twice about carrying a can of diesel fuel across the USA, especially if the thing leaks and smells up your cargo. If you stick to interstate highways and look for cheap diesel prices as you get towards 1/4 tank, you should be getting fresh clean fuel suitable for truckers, and fine for your MB.

One thing I haven't seen suggested yet is Windex and paper towels. I've had bad experiences with the mystery juice found at gas stations, as well as the squeegee that they keep in there. One thing for sure is that your windows will pick up a lot of bugs and road grime over 2500 miles.

Also, if you think you will have some free time at your destination, you might want to take a bucket, car wash solution, wax, terry cloths, Vinylex, etc. I always seem to find myself without these items when I have a lot of free time to clean the car, although it's amazing what you can do with water and some towels from the hotel room. Oh, maybe take a couple pillows in case you're not too cheap to sleep in rest areas

Have a good trip,

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Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

Now, to carry all these suggested items. Does your car have a trailer hitch? What size trailer will you need for all this?

Gute Reise,

I will make this easy for you. You may borrow my truck and load the Mercedes on a trailer and then pack in all of the items that you supposedly need for this trip. My truck gets 9 miles to the gallon if your easy on the throttle so in addition to the above items bring lots of MONEY to fill it up.

Relax and have a good time. Your Mercedes will get you there and back in style. Have a great Trip.

Paul
1999 E300DT