Making my first major trip in my DSM what should I check?

[95fwdtsi18psi]

As the title says, I'm going to Indiana which is about 320 miles and 5 hours away, and instead of taking my Camaro like I usually do, I want to take the DSM. Aside from tires what should I check so that I won't have any issues before I go. The oil will be changed before I go and the timing belt has been changed 12k ago. Thanks in advance.

 

[Aznspice27]

i'd say brakes and fluids should be changed check tie rods control arms just as a precaution

 

[vanilla gorilla]

If you havent been having any problems with the car, then I would say your good to go.

 

[93blacktsi]

the cost of a tow back??just kiddingi would check brakes and fuilds, if it runs fine them youre good to go

 

[lacroixdp]

An AAA card. You wouldn't believe how much they've saved my butt throughout the years. It's cheap insurance if you ask me. If you get AAA Plus they'll tow you 100 miles no charge and bring you gas if you run out. They'll also come change your tire. If you travel a lot it is a must, IMHO. Bring extra oil and coolant too. I don't think I've ever had a year on my membership that I haven't had a DSM towed at one point or another.

 

[95fwdtsi18psi]

You guys are scaring me . I have flushed the brake system before it's good I'd say. I do have a squeaky belt when it first starts, I checked my harmonic damper per Defiants teachings and it seems fine but it still does it.

 

[lacroixdp]

That's why you get AAA... for the things that might break on the way that you don't see right now. My last trip in my DSM blew my oil coolant line (I HATE the things, it's the first thing I swap out). AAA saved my behind with a nice tow to my house. Time before that, my DSM had a blow-out. I suppose that's why I have a daily driver... it's for when I need to get some place without drama from my car

 

[95fwdtsi18psi]

To late for AAA now, I'm leaving next week. I'll just take my Camaro again, I love 16MPG

 

[lacroixdp]

If you order it on the phone, you can use it 24hrs after ordering it! 16MPG isn't too bad at all! My first DSM only got 13MPG.

 

[95fwdtsi18psi]

How much a month is it? Yeah I used to get about 20 highway but once you start porting stuff and upgrading fuel on an lt1 it all goes down hill.

 

[lacroixdp]

I pay $140 a year for 2 people... I think we get 4 tows a piece. It's only $120 for one person, but you only get 4 tows then... you're basically doubling your tows for $20 a year I used all 8 tows back in '03 so it's just habit to get 2 people for me now!

 

[GSXSixteenG]

I think you'd be fine to take your DSM. Just make sure you have coolant and oil with you. AAA didn't help me when my alternator when it went a couple years ago so I dropped them. I told them I needed a flat bed, and what did I get, an ordinary hoist tow truck after I waited for 1-2 hours on the side of the road. About 1 hour later and 6-7 jump starts I made it home. The tow guy was atleast nice enough to follow me and keep jumping me.

 

[95fwdtsi18psi]

I would hate to get 200 miles in and break down in Indianapolis, but maybe I would get lucky and find one of our nice members on here

 

[lacroixdp]

If you get into trouble just get hold of me - I'll be out in the garage working on my DSM all weekend

 

[95fwdtsi18psi]

I'm going up to Lafayette Indiana to see family I'm sure you know where it's at.

 

[lacroixdp]

Yup - about 60 miles north of where I'm at. I'm on the north side of Indy.

 

[95fwdtsi18psi]

I'll be staying on I-65 right through Indy, your not in the major city area are you? I never liked it.

 

[mitsuman3000]

Whoa, never noticed you live in bowling green 95fwdtsi18psi. I'm in Paducah. You'll have to look me up when the next drags are at the track up your way.

Back to the subject, you should be fine taking the dsm, I daily drive mine, and have taken some really long hauls in it with no probs.

 

[95fwdtsi18psi]

Whoa, never noticed you live in bowling green 95fwdtsi18psi. I'm in Paducah. You'll have to look me up when the next drags are at the track up your way.

Back to the subject, you should be fine taking the dsm, I daily drive mine, and have taken some really long hauls in it with no probs.

Hmm let's see I'll be at Beech Bend this Saturday and Tuesday. I'm there almost every fun night! We have a local forums that have meets and track days out there

 

[mitsuman3000]

Hmm let's see I'll be at Beech Bend this Saturday and Tuesday. I'm there almost every fun night! We have a local forums that have meets and track days out there

I will try to get up that way within the next couple of weekends. Our track got shut down last season and I'm looking for a new one close that has a dsm or two at it.

 

[Travis96GS-T]

You should be good, highway miles aren't very hard on a car. I just drove my gs-t over 3000 miles cross-country no problems, got 35+ miles to the gallon too...Just check it over real good before hand.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Tires.

 

[counti41]

check everything and dont dog ## car on the trip unless u dont want to get back...bring a tool kit with u that contains 10,12,14,and 17mm wrenches and sockets just in case something breaks...good luck!!!

 

[95fwdtsi18psi]

I will try to get up that way within the next couple of weekends. Our track got shut down last season and I'm looking for a new one close that has a dsm or two at it.

There are 3 of us who are regulars, but I mainly hang out with my f-body friends. My families tuning shop sponsors Beaver fun nights here at Beech Bend so I pretty much have to go. Just a warning I will be in my Camaro unless you let me know ahead of time I'lll bring the DSM, don't tell my Dad!

 

[95fwdtsi18psi]

Tires.

Brand new Nitto NT05's