So, in Jan I will be taking me 1999 Civic to the Orange Bowl and was wondering what I should do to "prep" it for the ride.

I just changed the oil with full synthic oil with a new filter, and new brakes. Topped off all the fluids and checked em all, all within spec.

Car is bone stock automatic 4 door civic with 139,xxx miles on it.

Anything I should change/check?

It also has a newer timing belt done at around 100k miles.

 

You wasted your money putting sythentic in it.

Check tires, alignment. Also, it might not even be a bad idea to flush the trans.


Go over everything at least once, you don't want any suprises half way home.

Really, as long as the car has been properly cared for, and you keep oil in it, I don't see any issues.


I've taken mine on MANY road trips with no more then 2 hours notice and never had any issues.



Are you go for a straight shot, or stopping at hotels? Stopping every so often and letting her sit for a while, and check fuilds would be good too.

 

I will have to b stopping for gas/food/rest rooms. but other than that i want to try to do the drive in 1 shot. 18 hours each way.

 

Flushing the transmission isn't always the best thing to do. What you could end up doing is jamming up the screens with gunk and actually cause the trans to fail. You could do as good with just changing the old fluid out. Everything else the previous poster said is a must though.

 

Yea I dont mess with changing the tranny fluid for that exact reason, i just make sure its in the right level on the dipstick.

And everything else is pretty much well maintained ive owned the car for over 100k miles and the previous was my grandma and i know she maintained it..

I also am a pizza boy so i rack up a lot of city miles a month, about 1500 a month so i think highway driving would do it a favor, at least i hope haha

 

Um, all I can think of that wasn't mentioned.....

condition of tires? how much tread? how old are the tires? (All tires are stamped by DOT when they were made, so...0109 = Jan 09, etc)

Check for any dry rotting, cracks, treadware, etc etc.

1800 miles @ 70 mph, creates alot of heat on that rubber....now, over in the NE where its 20 degrees, you'll be fine....its when you get to warmer climates mostly....but still, worth a look.

Id also reco cleaning battery terminals, grounds on the various electrical connectors in the vehicle. Grab a pack of various fuses (you should have them regardless) Throw 2 quarts of oil in the trunk, and a 1/2 gal of water. Everytime you get gas, pop the hood and check oil/coolant levels.

 

When was the last ignition system tune up (plugs, wires, cap, rotor)?

In my opinion, your idea to change to full synthetic motor oil is an excellent one.

At 140K miles, replacing the ATF is past due. As mentioned, avoid doing any type of ATF flush. However, it's safe and wise to do 3 drain-and-refill cycles with Honda ATF. Multiple cycles are needed to remove all old fluid from the transmission.

 

Plugs were changed about 50k ago and the car still has the original cap and wires.

And also my tires are newer bridgestone blizzak winter tires.. should i change them out for all season or should they fair well?

 

Do a full tune up and set the ignition timing to spec. You'll see improved gas mileage and possibly performance.

 

I just replaced the plugs, noticed that they are Resistor plugs though is that okay?


They are the NGK V-Power Resistor plugs..

 

Your engine does best with the basic NGK plugs recommended in the owner's manual.

 

Go to the dealer and get OEM spec plugs, wires, cap and rotor. Have the timing checked. Do the 3x3 trans fluid change.

You DID NOT waste money switching to synthetic oil (so long as you have no leaks currently)

Check/Replace your wiper blades, make sure it's filled up with washer fluid. Clean all windows and apply rainx.

When was the last time the fuel filter was replace? Air filter as well. Check all lights/signals.

 

Personally I'd check the battery, alternator, check all fluids, and inspect the belts. IMO an air filter isn't detrimental to your car's reliability - if it's dirty you'll have slightly lower MPG's.

I put around 20,000 miles on my car last year driving all over the country. The only thing that went wrong was my A/C compressor locking up somewhere in Missouri, so I cut the belt with a knife and went on my merry way

If your car burns oil KEEP IT FULL! That'd be my most worry - my old motor burned a little oil and I checked it religiously - don't want to spin a bearing 1,000 miles from home.

 

^^^^^ If an air filter is VERY dirty, or partially clogged it does effect it. The car is struggling to breathe. 2,500 mile trip that would waste a lot of gas. If it hasnt been changed in a while a $15 air filter would be a wise investment.

Fluids and filters are the #1 in car maintance.

 

I live in central Florida and travel to S. Fla a lot.
Make sure your car can cruise @ 80 pretty comfortably.
Make sure your brakes (pads) are good.
From West Palm Beach to Miami I95 is like a racetrack. Lane changes at 80 mph bumper to bumper. Not trying to scare you just a warning.
If your travelling weekdays avoid rush hour on I95 try the Florida turnpike.
Costs about $6 from Fort Pierce to Miami but usually less traffic.
New windshield wipers is a good idea.
Be careful where you park in S. Fla. Pay for parking. Don't display any rival team logos on your car when you park.
Paranoia, oh yeah.
Did they replace your water pump when they did the timing belt?

 

Thanks for the tips, ill be leaving from Pittsburgh PA, checking out a school in Orlando on the way down, and finally arriving at Miami...

My car cruises comfortably at 80+ especially with these newer tires.

I dont have any stickers of rivalry just a PA plate on my car!

Yes i did replace the waterpump and seal with the timing belt as well as a new radiator and fluid since the OEM spring a leak at the top seal.

 

Sounds like your good to go man. My friend made it round-trip from Levittown, PA to Savannah, GA in a 180k mile beat-to-hell rusted out 93 cx. He ended up putting an extra 2 quarts of oil the whole trip. So if he can do it you can do eeeeet lol.

 

Car didnt miss a beat, got to and from Florida without a hitch. Drove coming home 20 hours straight no stops other than gas and fast food.

 

Mid 90's Honda reliability

 

For the love of Civics

 

^ when I was in High school a buddy and I decided to drive to Miami to see our buddy. Took my crx this was in the late 90's... just left, started driving. $30 in gas later, and 24 hrs, and we were in Miami (from NY)

I never checked the oil, water, nothing. Just stopped for gas/food...and drove 85 mph the whole way.

Gas was under a buck at that point though. Man I miss the 90's, lol.

 

Resistor plugs just reduce interference with the radio and possibly other electronics. The C.O.P. conversion "requires" resistor plugs. I'm not saying resistor plugs are better (I run BKR7E11 plugs), just they are not bad necessarily.

 

I didn't drive in the 90's, but that's the stuff I dream of doing someday. Just leave town on a hunch and drive somewhere far, far away without worries

 

personally i would do what everyone mentioned but sumed up in this list

Cap and Rotor
New SparkPlug Wires and Sparkplugs
Valve Adjustment
Air Filter
Run Some BG44K in the system for a full tank of fuel than get a new Fuel filter (Helps with MPG saves money)

make sure your tires are balanced and at right PSI
Make sure all your fluids are topped off

Spend 100 dollars on a full tune up and your car should glide the whole way i would leave the car at 75MPH with cruise control