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I'm driving long distance from Chicago to NJ this upcoming weekend. I know I have to get my oil changed before then, but what else should I be doing? Is there anything else special I should pack? I don't have a car kit prepared and wanted to know if there were essentials, besides a cooler, of course.
It's approximately a 12 hour drive. Should I drive straight through or stop overnight?
Go to your local auto parts store and see if they have a pre made car kit for you? Do you have roadside assistance through your insurance or an auto club? That can pare down the items you may want to bring along.
In terms of driving straight through it all depends on how you are planning to avoid/hit traffic....
Go to your local auto parts store and see if they have a pre made car kit for you? Do you have roadside assistance through your insurance or an auto club? That can pare down the items you may want to bring along.
In terms of driving straight through it all depends on how you are planning to avoid/hit traffic....
Thanks! I'll stop at an Autozone this evening.
Also, I do have AARP road side assistance, which I know will be useful.
I plan on leaving very early Friday or Saturday morning. I'm thinking Friday morning around 5 AM, so that would put me in NJ at around 5 PM est.
If your vehicle is well maintained you should really not have to do much more than check your tires including your spare. Even with roadside assistance you ought to know if you have a jack and the wrench required to change a tire. It isn't cold so you don't need any cold weather items. I would pack some work gloves, a hand towel or rag, and fluids. Sunglasses would be a must for me. Charger for your mobile phone.
Honestly I wouldn't try for 12 hours in one trip. I would stop for the night to get some sleep
My grandmother is telling me the same thing. So, I was considering just stopping after a while to rest at a Holiday Inn Express or some place similar.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hoffdano
If your vehicle is well maintained you should really not have to do much more than check your tires including your spare. Even with roadside assistance you ought to know if you have a jack and the wrench required to change a tire. It isn't cold so you don't need any cold weather items. I would pack some work gloves, a hand towel or rag, and fluids. Sunglasses would be a must for me. Charger for your mobile phone.
I don't actually have a spare in my car. I do not know why my vehicle was not equipped with one. I don't have a jack or wrench. Should I check with the shop?
Sunglasses. Check.
Charger. Check.
The other items I'll include in the kit I pick up. Thanks!
If you're young, you can easily do 12 hours in a day. I used to drive from Georgia to Oklahoma in 16 hours one-way. I got up at 2am and started in the dark because I get tired if I end the trip in the dark.
Energy drinks, frequent trips to stretch and pee, etc. I would only eat once at lunch with a long break, because the more I eat the sleepier I get.
Car kit should include battery cables & a flashlight, an old towel, duct tape, WD-40, Vaseline
kleenes
band aids
pain releiver
Allergy meds
wet wipes
napkins or paper towels
lip balm
knife
screwdriver
tire gauge
flashlight
blanket
AAA membership card
Do NOT go without a spare tire and jack/tool kit, if you tell me where you are and what year, make and model I can find you a used one near you for cheap.
Go sign up for AAA. They sell car safety kits, you will get a discount with your membership. AAA can also make you a route map.
Pack lots of water and a cooler with some decent food, if you don't like fast food/junk food. That is all you will get along the interstates. A GPS enabled phone or device is also good, but I would get a map, too.
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