Long distance trips bad for car?

[wraith73]

I'm planning a trip from Perth to QLD (& return after a few weeks) in September next year, driving my Leggie, but have heard that these cars don't like the distance trips like that, cos the heat effects the turbos when running for so long. Is there any truth to this, and what precautions are needed? Has anyone else driven their's across the country, pretty much non-stop? Trying to work out if the drive is worth the risk.

 

[Scottie]

First i have heard, you will prob be doing a lot of 100-110 kmh and not really boosting at all.

I drove my car from QLD to VIC the day i bought it stopping only 3 times for 30 mins, no prob at all.

Just get a service, alignment and pump the tyres up.

 

[naughtika]

and do a periodical check up on your tires, brake fluid, oil & radiator fluid every 1000kms or so.. just to be safe..

 

[wraith73]

Thanks. Does anyone know if all Servos across the country stock premium fuel?

 

[Hotwire]

Most major country servo's have 98 these days, but as a backup just have a couple of bottles of octane boost with you. If they dont have 98, put in the octane booster with premium (95) and you'll have 98.

If you add octane booster to 91 (regular) then you'll only increase to ~95 ron - so don't boost it till you can get 98 in the tank again

 

[wraith73]

Any brand of octane booster in particular, or are they all pretty much the same?

 

[Macca]

I did a trip form Oakey (Near Toowoomba about 1.5hrs west of Brissy) to Darwin no problems at all, ran only 98RON the whole way, admittedly I did have two 20L jerry cans and i was pulling a small trailer but yeah, no problems at all.

 

[Macca]

Any brand of octane booster in particular, or are they all pretty much the same?

Ive heard some have really crappy additives in them, I cant remember the brand i have but its one of the best apparently, as it was i didn't need it anyway

Ill check what it was and write up tomorrow.

 

[Guest]

If your car is an auto, you really should have a transmission cooler fitted at this time of year.

Apart from that, a spare selection of belts and radiator hoses is a must if embarking on any big road trips. As is a full-size spare if you can squeeze one in. Carry some water for the radiator and a bit of your preferred oil too.

I did a trip in the country a couple of months back and had a bit of trouble even getting 95, luckily I was just able to get to a servo that had some. The car ran fine on that, I just took it easy as a precaution.

Apart from that, some kind of roadside assist membership or car insurance with breakdown towing, accomodation etc when away from home is always nice.

 

[bradc]

VR-4's run fine on 95 if you aren't trashing them. I've driven 1200km in mine in a day about 3 times now and never had any problems at all, as well as doing around 100km on a track over 2 hours or so. I can promise you that the temperature of the engine bay is MUCH hotter on the track than after any road driving

 

[TomTom]

98ron fuel will be an issue as long as you're in WA! Apart from Perth, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton & Albany you won't find any 98ron I guess. There is not even 98ron in Karratha! (Unleaded price up here atm is $1.399 -.-)

Depends on which way you're going, be aware there won't be any 98 between Kalgoorlie & Alice Springs and nothing between Geraldton & xxx (Broome maybe?!?!)

I can pick a new company car in the new year, I thought about getting a Legnum (costs way less than a brand new car), put a bullbar on and bring it to mine spec But because of the fuel issue I'll have to go with a Hilux Diesel etc....

 

[Kristian]

lol when I brought my Galant over I couldn't get anything else apart from 95RON, trust me they'll run fine on it.

It probably depends on which way you're wanting to go. A safer run would probably be through SA and NSW than up over the top via Darwin.

 

[pu-11-me]

I've done LOTS of long trips in mine (Without being tame) and had no dramas. It'll be fine

 

[cyber_scriber]

I would have thought that long trips would tend to cause less wear and tear on the car's mechanicals (e.g. all fluids up to temp, less stress on the transmission, clutch, suspension, brakes etc).

It's usually short trips that cause additional wear and tear on a vehicle because the fluids aren't up to temp and you're constantly on and off the throttle, brake and gears.

This is why you often see cars for sale with high K's but qualified with "highway kilometres / long distance driving etc".

This of course, assumes that you're not driving through unsealed/dusty roads.

 

[quincy777]

It should love it, fresh oil before you start and no probs. Lets face it, if it couldn't make it run it off a cliff because its hopeless.

 

[king_panther]

Errrrr... as the person who has racked probably the MOST kilometres in a Legnum (as the prior own of Grandpa with 200,000+kms) I can safely say that these cars LOVE long distance trips & there's no detrimental effect on them.

I used my car for a work vehicle for nearly 2 years & as long it was regaularly maintained I had no troubles apart from the usual servicing intervals.

Install a cruise control system & you'll be laughing.

Anyone who says otherwise is full of garbage.

 

[jet150]

I drove an auto 84 model Ford Telestar from Melbourne to Canberra and back 3 times doing cracker runs, Im sure a VR4 can survive a long trip.

 

[Mortz]

lol the turbo's will be fine. If anything these cars luuuurve long drives, i've managed my best economy figures on long highway trips.

 

[Buckas]

you should take it. from experience, the best economy is achieved at 180kph

 

[Mortz]

I'll have to test that theory good sir