Planning a 2000 miles road trip

[schumionbike]

Hey guys,
This might be a little to early for this since the trip is not until July but I'm very excited. I'm going on a road trip with my buddy from TX to CT. The plan is, Houston to St. Louis, St. Louis to Pittburg, Pittburg to Baltimore. Then from Baltimore home to CT. We're going to watch the Houston Astrosm, St. Louis Cardinal, the Pittburg Pirate, and the Baltimore Oriole baseball game along the way. It's about a 2000 miles road trip.

My car have 181K miles, I have already done the wires, spark plug, fuel filter, air filter, pcv valve, flush the coolant. I'm going to do my timing belt and water pump soon, probably along with the oil pump O ring. Need to get my strut done and get some new tires. What esle do I need to do get the car in good shape? I saw the the ATF fluid is still pinkish and the level seem to be at the right point, should I flush it or the fluid last pretty long for the most part? I have no idea about the history of this fluid, I got the car 16 K ago. Do you guys change the power steering fluid and the brake at a certain interval? The power steering fluid is full but look quite dirty, same with the brake.

Also since I'm doing the road trip in the summer, do I have to worry about overheating in such a long drive? My friends that are driving with me speed quite a bit, 85mph cruise a little fast or the the car should be fine?

Lot of questions, I know, hopefully you guys have fun reading all of that

[Chris Crash]

You really don't need to do anything special. Just bring tools and fluids with you just in case.

[ricamryman]

What year Camry & what engine?

[Judge2]

You may have some hot temperatures in that drive, so I'd check beforehand that the two main radiator hoses are good, the drive belts are good. Get a GPS. Put some water in the windshield washer, and change the wiper blades. Don't forget a baseball mitt, to shank a fly ball!!

[schumionbike]

Thanks guy, it's a 99 Camry four cylinders.

[Novice_cardude]

Check tire condition and pressure - make sure you have no slow leaks. Low tire pressure or a leak is often noticed on the highway in the form on a blowout. Also check your spare and make sure it's around 40 PSI. make sure you have a jack and 4-way in the truck with the rest of your tools and 'top off' fluids.

Make sure your brake linings are nice and thick too. should be able to check that while doing the TB and such.

Also allow some padding time once you do the major work. 'Nother words, don't do your timing belt the day before you leave on your trip. Gotta allow some time in case a seal is in crooked, the timing belt is defective, etc. Better to be stranded on your commute than on the highway hundreds of miles from home.

Other than that, kick the tires and light some fires!

[ricamryman]

Get underneath & look for any possible fluid leaks, ie. oil, coolant, brake or power steering fluids.......