On Saturday my friend and I will be going to Eastern Pennsylvania to possibly buy a car, and then we'll be immediately turning around and coming back home. However, I'm taking my sisters '93 Olds 88, has around 130k or so on it IIRC, it runs very well and I'm not worried about it making the trip, but I want to make sure there isn't anything you think I should do before the trip to make sure it will be in good running order. Obviously I'm going to check all the fluids and tire pressure, but is there anything else? It should've had a recent oil change, so that shoudln't be an issue. I just want to make sure I'm not completely forgetting something that should be pretty obvious.

Thanks I appreciate the help,

Shawn

check all the lights head/tail just to make sure, give the car a good interior clean, make sure to clean the WINDOWS inside and out, that can be the most annoying thing to look out of a dirty window while driving

Thats a good idea, I hate a dirty car, I was planning on vacuuming it out because I can't stand driving it as dirty as my sister has it, but didn't think about the windows. I work at a detail shop so I'll just bring it in a give it a good cleaning beforehand. I know all the head/tail lights work, or at least they did last week, but I'll double check them, wouldn't want to have any issues there, nothing like getting pulled over out of state for something stupid like that.

I appreciate the tips there...thanks.

Shawn

get all the liquids checked along with tires and gauges......i am about to make a trip too to buy a car in chicago...1000+ round trip in acar that is unknown.......yahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

lol
good luck with ur trip

Not much you can really check other than the basics. Make sure the trans is working good before you take off. This is the only thing I really worry about my 94 when taking decently long trips.

Having a clean car for a long drive is always better.

Now that it'* too late, you should look into getting AAA. It'* saved my butt a few times in the past

stop here in pittsburgh if you have some car trouble!!!

I don't know why everyone is concerned about long trips. It is the best thing for you're car!! Now turning the car on in subzero weather and driving for a couple miles and turning it off is whats ruff on a car.

If you haven't checked the Spare Tire in about a year, I would look to see if that it is inflated to about 60 PSI. Enjoy the ride. Call us when you get there.

Because on long trips, first off, your a long ways from home, so if something bad does happen, it might be a big problem. Also, stuff gets hot. The engine is running at a good rpm for a long time, and if it uses any oil (usually not the case), this can especially be a problem. Tires get hot, and if not inflated properly, can easily blow-out. If you have a leak of any sort, on a long trip, that can be a problem. (if it is worse when the car is running) Anyone who doesn't make sure to check all their fluids and pressure and all that for a long trip is a fool IMO. You have to remember, 1300 miles is more than a lot of people drive in a month. You can't tell me you go a month without checking any fluids or tire pressure or anything like that. Yes, I agree its not hard on a car, but its a great oppourtunity for stuff to go wrong.

BTW...I made the trip just fine with absolutely no problems.

Shawn