Tips for a Road Trip?

[SB1500]

Got a big trip booked for December, and the Panda is coming with us!

What sort of tips for a road trip do you all have?

What to take and what to avoid?

 

[Zeewulf]

Got a big trip booked for December, and the Panda is coming with us!

What sort of tips for a road trip do you all have?

What to take and what to avoid?

Firstly it depends on whether your going abroad etc. as certain countries require you by law to carry certain items in your car in case of emergency. So make sure you check what's needed for the country your driving through if any.

 

[SB1500]

I almost forgot about my own thread!!!

Well, the trip is from N.I. to Liverpool, Manchester and Chester for three days - one day at each - in December.

On Day 1, drive to Belfast and get the ferry to Liverpool. Italian ship + Italian Fiat! lol
Day 2, Trafford Centre!!!
Day 3, Chester
Day 4, Liverpool
Day 5, Back on the ferry to N.I.

So it's really a series of small journeys, but together makes a large sum of miles and is quite far from home.

Really hoping no break downs or part failures are going to pop up, and to be honest cancelled the AA membership since normally at home a relative can always tow the car.

Are there any things you should generally keep in the car when straying far from home?

 

[StevenRB45]

Depends on your car.

If it uses oil, take some, take screen wash maybe given motorway work will have salt spray at this time of year. Check your tyres and If you don't carry a foot pump and wheel brace normally may be an idea to put them in and make sure you have your towing eye. Tbf total mileage is not gonna be more than about 250 depending where you start and that over the whole trip so unless you've got problems up front it should take that over 5 days no bother.

Tbf if I'm away from home and doing distance I just make sure all the tyres and fluids are right before setting off each day and that I haven't picked up any leaks which should stop any nasty surprises.

 

[SB1500]

We've replaced so much of the cooling system, radiator, thermostat, steel outflow pipe, joint pipes, etc and it doesn't appear to be losing any on a weekly basis.

New sump, oil, filter, flywheel Oil Seal.

Rebuilt gearbox, new clutch, brakes etc.

Tyres passed an MOT recently, good shape to be honest.

Spare wheel and tool kit all in place, except for some screwdriver which was long gone by the time I got the car.

We've done so much to the Panda that id like to think there's nothing else likely to go wrong.. but how many times I've said that only to be surprised, well I've lost count lol

I do carry about 1.5L of spare oil in the boot now so I'll be sure to keep it there.

Foot pump, cheap £5 one from Argos. Check.

I suppose 250 isn't bad when I look at it that way. I've done three times that in the past two weeks!

 

[StevenRB45]

Sounds like most of your car is newer than mine!

 

[PuntoHowTo]

As pointed out you're not really traveling huge miles so do the usual car checks, oil water bulbs and so on. Maybe carry a spare bulb kit and you have your foot pump, a bit of oil and water, there isn't a lot else you'll need?

I always carry drinks and snacks on a long drive to avoid having to stop. Satnav if needed, mine is in the dash and a map/phone with a map in case you get lost or satnav dies

 

[Wee Smurf]

I wouldn't worry that much to be honest. You'll be driving less than if you decided to take a trip to Cork.

 

[SB1500]

Thanks guys. All great tips.

Never realised about the short miles really. I guess it's more being across the water and not being able to be towed back by family lol

 

[Noxide]

Never realised about the short miles really. I guess it's more being across the water and not being able to be towed back by family lol

And so, Murphy's Law...

Seriously sounds like you've got all the essentials prepped though, all I can add to what everyone else has is bottled water, raincoats and a highvis get up should worst case ever pop up. You should be fine though, I'm sure most cars get considerably more abuse and far less attention than yours has.

 

[varesecrazy]

Thanks guys. All great tips.

Never realised about the short miles really. I guess it's more being across the water and not being able to be towed back by family lol

check the EVENTs for NW italian car night

 

[SB1500]

check the EVENTs for NW italian car night

Are these guys willing to tow me home in their vintage Fiats? ;-) haha

 

[varesecrazy]

Are these guys willing to tow me home in their vintage Fiats? ;-) haha

a lot of our meets tend to involve somebody with a question about "how to.."

so if you've got an issue - they may well be better than your passengers..

 

[SB1500]

a lot of our meets tend to involve somebody with a question about "how to.."

so if you've got an issue - they may well be better than your passengers..

My passenger is my gf who wouldnt know what to do if something goes wrong!

Hopefully it'll all go to plan!

The biggest stress on the car will probably be start/stop traffic at the Trafford Centre. But balanced out by REAL MOTORWAYS for a change!!!