Preparing for a road trip

[nickw14]

Hey guys, I have a couple of questions as I prepare for a road trip coming up in June. I am driving from Toledo, OH to Phoenix, AZ which is roughly a 2000 mile trip.

I have noted that I will need to change my oil before leaving and again after returning. I am currently running e85 using the OFT tune on the stock fuel system. A little bit of math has revealed that ethanol is slightly cheaper per mile than 93 gas is, which has got me thinking I might want to run e85 for the trip.

What do you guys think about the reliability of ethanol on the stock fuel system for that long of a trip?

I have never went on a road trip this long or far before. Time management and driving is not really an issue for me, I am more concerned about the well-being of my car for this long of a journey.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by nickw14

I have noted that I will need to change my oil before leaving and again after returning.

Why would you need to change your oil after 4000 miles? This is a complete waste.

-alex

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by nickw14

...............
I have never went on a road trip this long or far before. Time management and driving is not really an issue for me, I am more concerned about the well-being of my car for this long of a journey.

I would be more concerned about you holding up, rather than your car, on long trips .....

I suggest you take lots of stretch breaks.

Drive carefully and have a fun trip.


humfrz

[uRBAN_Metal]

I'm not really answering your question, but if I were you I would just run 93 and be done with it. I'm not sure the small cost savings would be worth attempting to constantly track down an e85 station along the route. On top of that you'll get increased oil contamination, so if you were running 93 octane you wouldn't necessarily have to change the oil when you got back.

[nickw14]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Why would you need to change your oil after 4000 miles? This is a complete waste.

-alex

I am pretty committed to changing ever 4k-5k rather than the 7500 that the manual suggests. Can't hurt anything. Plus if I am running e85 it really should be changed that often anyway.

[nickw14]

Originally Posted by uRBAN_Metal

I'm not really answering your question, but if I were you I would just run 93 and be done with it. I'm not sure the small cost savings would be worth attempting to constantly track down an e85 station along the route. On top of that you'll get increased oil contamination, so if you were running 93 octane you wouldn't necessarily have to change the oil when you got back.

I agree with the whole trying to find a station thing. I have not even looked at how many if any stations are along my route. Not to mention it may take me longer to get there if I am constantly going out of my way to get fuel.

What I was thinking was I would take a gallon or two of spare ethanol in the event I can't find a station that makes sense to go out of the way for. But regardless, you're right, they are hard to come by.

[gramicci101]

The car will handle the drive just fine. I've driven mine back and forth across the country a few times so far with no issues. As far as stretch breaks, every time you stop for gas just walk around for a few minutes before getting back on the road. That'll be about every 3-3.5 hours, which is fine. I would use normal gas, just for availability. Plan your trip before you go, so you don't end up in the middle of nowhere with the fuel light on. Also, cruise control is wonderful.

Have quick detailer, glass cleaner, and some microfiber towels in the trunk. When I road trip, I clean my windows every morning, so I can start off the day with good visibility. It's amazing how much dirt and bugs and stuff will collect on your windshield after 8 hours of solid driving.

[Scenic Driver]

Originally Posted by nickw14

What I was thinking was I would take a gallon or two of spare ethanol in the event I can't find a station that makes sense to go out of the way for. But regardless, you're right, they are hard to come by.

It's not worth the trouble, just use 93 and enjoy the trip without having to deal with finding e85 stations.

[Teseo]

Rent a sedan or SUV so you dont need to worry for anything

[spolcyc]

E85 Stations can be few and far between depending on location. You might as well swap tunes back to the Premium. You wouldn't want to get into a situation where you're running out of e85 with nothing in sight and have to fuel incorrectly. Unless you have on the fly map switching and 2x 1gal gas cans in the trunk.

[jdp530]

I just ran up to Denver and back last month, apprx 2100 miles, and I also did a track day up there at High Plains Raceway on same tires and pads. I drove straight thru going up and coming back home. As Gramicci101 suggested, take a roll of towels, and some cleaning towels, along with some windex, so you can keep windows clean and wash the car while on the trip. I hit a swarm of huge bugs on the way back and there was no way I was going to get windshield clean until I found a carwash along the way.

[kch]

There doesn't seem to be a single E85 station between ABQ and phoenix, which is roughly 422 miles. No way in hell. Just run 93.