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Preparing for a big Road Trip

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by someguy51, Jan 8, 2010.

  1. someguy51

    someguy51 New Member

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    My family and I our taking a big road trip from Calgary, AB, Canada to Anaheim in our '08 Prius. (about 2000 KM/1250 miles one way) Any suggestions for things to check in the car before we go? I just changed the air filter and we got an oil change about a week ago. I'm planning on checking the tire pressure before we go. Anything else I should check before we go?

    Thanks,
    Chris
     
  2. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    Think you got it all covered don't forget to fill the windshield washer bottle.
     
  3. brick

    brick Active Member

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    1) Check the spare tire pressure! It is often overlooked.
    2) Check your exterior lights. Since you are thinking about it you may as well take the opportunity to look for blown bulbs (also often overlooked).
    3) How are your windshield wipers? May as well check their condition and replace if necessary since they, again, are often overlooked.
     
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Check the tyres for cracks. Maybe check the washer fluid level too?

    which air filter did you change? engine or cabin air? check both and clean if necessary.

    Ensure all lights are working

    that's all i can think of atm.
     
  5. kohnen

    kohnen Grumpy, Cranky Senior Member

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    Yes, make sure that you have some local friends / relatives with you when you buy your Disneyland tickets. So Cal Locals (as determined by the zip (postal) code on their drivers licenses) can buy 2 for 1 tickets for the price of a single ticket. This lets you do one day at Disneyland, and another day at California Adventures.
     
  6. Branndon

    Branndon Junior Member

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    PM Me if you want a local phone number. I just moved from anaheim one city over to orange.
     
  7. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    is it not stormy wheater over there? and a lot of snow?
    better to stay at home then to drive 2000km.one way
     
  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Make sure your spare tire actually has air in it and it wouldn't hurt to bring a can of Fix-a-flat. :)

    On long trips I like to bring a bottle of Zep Oxy Cleaner with me. I tend to spill stuff while driving so it's nice to have something to quickly neutralize the offending material before it stains. :( I know it sounds weird but everyone else mentioned the other important stuff. lol I just had a major "accident" and thought the mess was going to ruin the carpet in my room but this stuff worked like a charm on regular carpet too.


    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-.../62545-zep-carpet-upholstery-cleaner-yay.html
     
  9. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    The worst weather is east of OP's likely routes, and is already dissipating. CA completely missed it, and some of us who ski did not get our share. :mad: Why does it have to be warmer in Seattle than in Florida?

    I also suggest OP recheck the distance. My trip software shows the one-way distance exceeding 2500 km.
     
  10. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    The car should be fine - it's stuff for the family you need to think about. Like extra water, pillows, batteries and a spare chip for the camera...but you probably have that covered already. Bon voyage! Don't forget to write. :yo:
     
  11. someguy51

    someguy51 New Member

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    Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone one in SoCal, so I won't be able to take advantage of the Disneyland deal. If anyone is going to the Ducks/Flames game on Sunday and they see a guy in a Nystrom retro Flames jersey, thats me.
     
  12. Dark_matter_doesn't

    Dark_matter_doesn't Prius Tinkerer

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    If you don't already have a hotel near Disneyland, I'll recommend the Residence Inn Maingate. It's about a half mile from Disneyland, but there's a shuttlebus to/from. Great place for a family to stay, incl. free breakfasts.
     
  13. someguy51

    someguy51 New Member

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    We made it to Anaheim last Sunday. Too bad the Flames lost but we had a fun time. Disneyland was fun when it wasn't raining. Right now we are in Carlsbad...We are going to extend our stay because Legoland has been closed due to the weather for the last couple of days.

    California is the land of the Prius. There are a LOT of them. I see more of them on one trip on the freeway then I have ever seen in Alberta.
     
  14. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I recall that ~30% of NA Classic Prius sales were made in California, so that state has been setting the sales pace from the beginning.
     
  15. Salsawonder

    Salsawonder New Member

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    Welcome to the land of crazy folks!! Carlsbad Toyota is fabulous if you do need anything while visiting and it is walking (or swimming these days) distance to a mall and many restaurants.
    I am still amazed at the numbers of Prii about here as well. I hope you are enjoying things here despite the nasty weather......If you come down as far as Ocean Beach be sure to go to South Beach Bar/Grill if you like fish tacos....the best!
     
  16. Branndon

    Branndon Junior Member

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    I've been seeing more Prii around here, but that's just because I bought mine 23 days ago, now everyone owns one ;)
     
  17. B. Roberts

    B. Roberts Hypah Milah! Ayuh.

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    Good to hear you made it to Cali. There was some discussion about the trip distance... did you happen to note what it actually was?
     
  18. someguy51

    someguy51 New Member

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    Thats good to know about the Carlsbad Toyota. I was thinking of getting an oil change, but we are good until we get home.

    While its not +20C like I was hoping its still better then -20C and snow.

    It was 2500KM, not 2000KM...