Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB - View Single Post - Driving across the country today for the first time! tips?

gramicci101 · 05-01-2016, 12:44 PM

I drove mine Delaware to Vegas within a week of purchase, then Vegas to Wichita Falls and back to Vegas shortly afterwards. This car is GREAT for road trips. Position your seat properly so you won't get fatigued and you're good to go. @CSG Mike said a bit about that in his beginner track prep thread.

Things to do:
- Carry quick detailer, window cleaner, and a stack of microfiber towels. Use the quick detailer when you get something on it that might damage the paint. Clean ALL of your windows, every single morning, before you start to drive. There are a lot of stupid reasons to crash your car that you can't control; your visibility is not one of them. Take the time.
- Carry extra water. Pick up a flat of water bottles or something and leave them in your trunk. In the western states there's a whole lot of nowhere to stop.
- Also in the western states, plan your fuel stops. That whole lot of nothing could bite you in the ass if you don't pay attention.
- When you stop for fuel, walk around for 10-15 minutes, stretch, etc...

Things I wish I had done:
- Wrap the front of the car (at least) with clear bra, or whatever. There are a lot of minor rock chips that could have been avoided. There are tumbleweeds in TX, NM, and AZ that you won't be able to avoid. They have some kind of homing technology; I'm not sure how it works.
- Have the front window tinted with Air 80 or similar (clear, but 99.9% UV blockage). I got all the other windows done before I left, but having the sun in your face for hours on end gets irritating.

If you're getting tired to the point that your blinks are lasting for a second or two, pull over and take a break. It's not a race, and the only person that loses if you fuck it up is you.

05-01-2016, 12:44 PM	#4
gramicci101 Off Topic Join Date: Feb 2014 Drives: 2014 Subaru BRZ Limited Location: Vegas, baby! Posts: 4,610 Thanks: 2,369 Thanked 4,243 Times in 2,170 Posts Mentioned: 43 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	I drove mine Delaware to Vegas within a week of purchase, then Vegas to Wichita Falls and back to Vegas shortly afterwards. This car is GREAT for road trips. Position your seat properly so you won't get fatigued and you're good to go. @CSG Mike said a bit about that in his beginner track prep thread. Things to do: - Carry quick detailer, window cleaner, and a stack of microfiber towels. Use the quick detailer when you get something on it that might damage the paint. Clean ALL of your windows, every single morning, before you start to drive. There are a lot of stupid reasons to crash your car that you can't control; your visibility is not one of them. Take the time. - Carry extra water. Pick up a flat of water bottles or something and leave them in your trunk. In the western states there's a whole lot of nowhere to stop. - Also in the western states, plan your fuel stops. That whole lot of nothing could bite you in the ass if you don't pay attention. - When you stop for fuel, walk around for 10-15 minutes, stretch, etc... Things I wish I had done: - Wrap the front of the car (at least) with clear bra, or whatever. There are a lot of minor rock chips that could have been avoided. There are tumbleweeds in TX, NM, and AZ that you won't be able to avoid. They have some kind of homing technology; I'm not sure how it works. - Have the front window tinted with Air 80 or similar (clear, but 99.9% UV blockage). I got all the other windows done before I left, but having the sun in your face for hours on end gets irritating. If you're getting tired to the point that your blinks are lasting for a second or two, pull over and take a break. It's not a race, and the only person that loses if you fuck it up is you.