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I have a 2007 Nissan Versa hatchback (1.8L 4-cylinder engine, auto transmission) that I'm getting read to drive about 2,230 miles from Louisville KY to Sacramento CA in about two weeks. I will probably have it stacked pretty full with stuff too because I'm moving. I know literally NOTHING about cars quite frankly so I need some advice on what to tell the mechanic to do with it. It still has the tires from when I bought it used in March 2009. The air conditioner doesn't work, which is the third time that's happened but luckily the leak should show up this time because the last mechanic put a dye in it.
Any advice would be very much appreciated! I'm hoping to get the car looked at this coming week. Thanks!
OP: what is current mileage on car? You bought it used with orig tires, or a replacement set?
What is your budget for having car serviced and looked at? What have you had done lately, or ever, since you have owned it? Oil & filter, brake pads/rotors, brake fluid, coolant, etc?
What wouldn't you get checked? Maybe I'm just a worry wart, but seriously, I'd have as much as possible looked at:
Brakes, brake lines
Lights - headlights, tail lights, reverse lights
Those tires.....
Fluids - oil, radiator, steering
Struts or shocks depending on age (for all stuff you'll be hauling)
Windshield wipers and fluid
OP: what is current mileage on car? You bought it used with orig tires, or a replacement set?
What is your budget for having car serviced and looked at? What have you had done lately, or ever, since you have owned it? Oil & filter, brake pads/rotors, brake fluid, coolant, etc?
Not sure I will miss not riding along...
GL, mD
Current mileage is about 55k. The tires were new when I bought it, that was part of the purchase deal I got with it. I've always done oil, filter, and coolant stuff on time thanks to the little stickers they give me. The brakes were checked back in May and were fine. Really the whole thing was checked over in May by my grandfather's best friend who owns our hometown's only mechanic garage and he gave me the green light on everything then while he was checking out the air conditioning. The A/C will have to be done at the dealership though. I just don't want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere (aka Nebraska or Wyoming haha).
For long trips, I always make sure I have a quart or two of oil with me, a gallon of coolant/water, some heavy gloves to be able to reach into the engine bay/pull debris away from wheel well/change tires with, and have had the oil changed before leaving.
It sounds like you just recently got things checked out, I wouldn't worry too much about it, just get the A/C fixed.
When I was planning a similar trip, I replaced the tires and did an alignment. The tires were not worn out but were getting there. In addition to the usual checks and an oil change.
I'd take it to a good mechanic or a good dealer and get the oil changed, tires balanced and rotated, do a 4 wheel alignment, air filter change, get the AC fixed and have them look the car over completely. That's a very solid, reliable car and should have no problems on a long road trip....
P.S. What brand of tires? How many miles on the tires? It all depends on the brand and number of miles on them.... Have whoever does the work measure the tire depth and look them over as well...
For long trips, I always make sure I have a quart or two of oil with me, a gallon of coolant/water, some heavy gloves to be able to reach into the engine bay/pull debris away from wheel well/change tires with, and have had the oil changed before leaving.
It sounds like you just recently got things checked out, I wouldn't worry too much about it, just get the A/C fixed.
Im not a fan of "Jiffy Lube" type oil changes and leaving the next day.......My buddy did that and lost a motor 400 miles later due to a leaky filter (wasn't tight). JL said he would have blown up sooner, no way it was their fault since he did make it a full 400 miles......
For long trips, I always make sure I have a quart or two of oil with me, a gallon of coolant/water, some heavy gloves to be able to reach into the engine bay/pull debris away from wheel well/change tires with, and have had the oil changed before leaving.
It sounds like you just recently got things checked out, I wouldn't worry too much about it, just get the A/C fixed.
Make sure the jack/lug wrench are in the car, a bright flashlight is priceless when you need it and make sure the spare is properly inflated!
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The brakes were checked back in May and were fine. Really the whole thing was checked over in May by my grandfather's best friend who owns our hometown's only mechanic garage and he gave me the green light on everything then while he was checking out the air conditioning. The A/C will have to be done at the dealership though. I just don't want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere (aka Nebraska or Wyoming haha).
