Roadtrip Questions

[MidwestSpeed3]

My girlfriend and I are taking a road trip from St. Louis to Colorado, to New Mexico and back. It has come down to taking my car on this trip, so I want to make sure I have the car prepared for it. I plan on bringing my cheap portable tool kit and my AP (should anything go wrong and I need to reinstall). I will go ahead and change my oil and filter before I leave. A little early, but I would rather have fresh oil for the 2000+ miles I will be putting on it.

Anything else I should check, bring, etc?

On a side note, if you see me driving through, be sure to honk or something. lol We will be leaving St. Louis Friday morning early and heading to Golden, CO until Sunday. We then head to Buena Vista for a few days and then head to Gallup, NM on Wednesday and to Albuquerque Thursday through Saturday morning. Then its back to St. Louis for less than 24 hours and then I have to leave for training in Atlanta for a week. Its gonna be a long couple weeks.....

*edit* I forgot to mention that I have to teach my girlfriend to drive my car before we go. This should be interesting...........

[Fiesta42]

12v air compressor. I got a Husky from HD a couple months ago that doesn't take up much space. It's nice because it will turn itself off when it gets to the pressure I set, so it's not necessary to stand there and watch it.

<crossing fingers> I have never had to change a tire because it was flat, but there have been several times when I had a slow leak and just added air instead. (never in the 3)

It'll come in handy for any kind of event you may do later on, too.

[cosmicspd3]

oh flash light for sure! plenty of music, maybe a new clutch since the gf hasnt driven it before haha jk....maybe

good idea on the compressor...ive been meaning to grab one....

[prototype_x9]

Pick up the compressor and go by the store and pick up some textured latex/vinyl gloves. When any fluid is involved it is always best to have gloves for extra texture on the part and to keep you relatively clean.

Also, pick up some kind of tire sealant, eg. fix-a-flat, green slime. Just in case your puncture a tire. A compressor wont help if you can patch the leak. Very cheap insurance.

[MadOzodi]

Quick Detail Spray, a stack of MF towels, Sprayway Glass Cleaner + Mr. Clean Magic eraser to get all the bugs off the windshield & headlights (I know you know this, but don't use the magic eraser on the paint)

Be safe and have fun on your trip man...I'm jealous! Don't forget the pics either.

[gofast]

bleeeh just get that oil changed and make sure you have some gas money and your cell phone is charged up. if you blow a tire you have a spare. i drove from vegas to chicago last winter and was problem free the entire way. a little tired at the end though because i went straight through. 24 hours of fun!

[desertrat]

I live in Albuquerque we should meet up. why are you going to gallup? not much there. taos or santa fe is where to go if your a tourist.

[MidwestSpeed3]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It looks like we won't be taking the MS3 afterall, her mom finally agreed to let us take here auto Focus. Not sure on the year, I think 2000-2002 range. Kinda glad I don't have to put all the miles on mine. Too bad my car had to suffer through 2 lessons with the girlfriend (it actually wasn't that bad).

desertrat,
we are going to Gallup because my cousin and her husband live there. Figured that if I was going to be in Albuquerque, it would make sense to stop by and visit them. Anything you recommend doing in Albuquerque? We are mainly going there for the Seth Horan concert on friday night, but will be there from Thurs afternoon to Sat morning. Heard from Seth that it is a pretty cool town and I shouldn't have problems finding stuff to do.

[desertrat]

Too bad you cant take the ms3, I took mine to vegas last summer. Visiting the family is nice. When you get to burque I recomend El Pinto for good mexican food and margaritas. There's not much of a bar scene, old town is worth checking out.

[ms3jake]

Maybe im a freak but, I would never teach anyone stick on my car. Not a girlfiend, wife, friend, NOBODY! If I had to go on a road trip that was over 500 miles each way I would fly or rent a car.
Good deal on using the focus, have fun.