[ecogrl]

I'm going on a road trip this weekend. Besides a fluid level check and a tire pressure check, is there anything specific to Insights I should do before I take it out for a long haul?

Mine is a 2000 manual with a little over 43000 miles. I have only owned it a month. I haven't done anything to it except wash it and refuel.

--
Elaine

 

[ecogrl]

thanks everyone!

wow! Thank, everyone for the great advice.

I'm just going to California - the Central Coast (SLO town - San Luis Obispo), which is 7-8 hours drive from Vegas. I'm going to visit my parents.

My normal commute is 10 minutes to work and 10-30 back, depending on traffic. I drive out to Red Rock to hike every weekend and around town for errands and fun - so I drive a total of about 200 miles a week.

I have a AAA membership already, check that off the list.

I always drive around with jumper cables, extra oil, extra coolant and a gas can.

I guess it's mostly just because I've never had new or reliable cars. My 2000 Insight is the newest car I've ever had - and actually, the only car I've ever owned with fewer than 100,000 miles on it.

I will bring my sleeping bag just in case.

I don't know if the tires are originals or not. I'm guessing they are. I have chrome rims - not something I would have choosen to do, but they do look nice. How much weight does that add? Will it change my MPG?

I will check the spare. And I think I'll get an oil change too. Just to be on the safe side.

Thanks again.

Oh, and BTW, I got my new plates - they say ECOGRL

 

[ecogrl]

Uh.. yeah, don't need window scrapers. The only time in my life I have ever needed a window scraper was a 6 month internship in South Lake Tahoe with the California Tahoe Conservancy.

Uh... I already said where I was going. From Vegas, there aren't too many routes. Anyway, Willie, you're kinda scaring me. :/

Here's my baby for those who want to see. This pic was taken a couple weeks ago out where I go hiking at Red Rock Canyon just outside of Las Vegas.

 

[ecogrl]

Ricky, yeah, you're right. I don't know why I said they were chrome. But you know, I bought it at a Toyota dealer (the only Insight in town for sale - new or used) and they didn't know ANYTHING about it. We spent about a half hour figuring out where the spare tire was. When they gave me the green slip - to register at the DMV - it said the car was a 4 cyl.

Anyway, I drove over 1200 miles this weekend with no problems.

Got an average of almost 59 mpg for the total trip, including the city driving.

I didn't seen any other Insights, but I saw about 5 Priuses (is that right for plural Prius?) and one Hybrid Civic. The Prius is ugly IMO and the Civic is just your standard Civic. Good car, but nothing special to look at. I think our Insights are really cute.

But now my car is dirty and needs a wash. And I am really really tired.

 

[ecogrl]

Willie - Why in the world would you go to Mesquite?

Anyway, it wouldn't have mattered if I had posted my route and times because I got lost and ran off schedule. Figures. Next time I won't go alone - no matter how guilty my parents make me feel for never visiting. :/

Sparky - that sounds right. Prii. Thanks

B1 - About test drives.... People ask me to give them rides, too. I used to say, "wanna drive it?" But after I let my dad drive it this weekend I wont be asking that. I was SOOOO nervous! My dad is just not a very good driver, I've realized. I think his eyesight is horrible. He almost gave me a heart attack when he went to park. I thought I might lose my bumper and scrape the side.