Preparation for long trips

[Wade Nelson]

Flat tires, running out of gas, and overheating are the big three out on the highway. Along with accidents.

Check the air in the spare, or carry along one of those toy compressors. A gallon of water can put out a fire as well as fill a radiator. That same plastic milk jug can ALSO serve as a gas can you GIVE to someone else. A piece of 14AWG wire, couple feet long can be invaluable. An empty plastic gas can. A $20 tow strap, which ANY SUV/pickup can tow you to a repair shop wiith, saving you HOURS waiting for a tow truck. A hydraulic bottle jack and a 4-way wrench. An old sheet (to put on the ground and lie on, tear bandages out of, cover up a casualty..) A WORKING flashlight, a big one, not a mini Maglite.

Something to read. Priceless.

I've very seldom needed any of these thing, or all the tools I carry, flares, etc. But I've really helped out some people I saw broken down on the side of the road. people whose jack can't lift the car high enough because of their oversize wheels, for instance. At night that flashlight will allow you to stop or direct cars who would otherwise pile into an accident.

And they'll always remember the guy in the Z who stopped and got them going again.

[Reverend]

I think main preparation is to prepare your Z, when properly maintained, you wont need any of these what we have suggested. I'll usually spent hours doing a complete search for any faulty parts before big trip and that has paid off.

[Reverend]

Double post, please delete

[Carl Beck]

True story. I came up on a guy with a Jaguar XJS aflame, slammed on the brakes, stopped far enough away so MY car wouldn't ignite if his gas tank did, ran to the scene, fire estinguisher in hand, my finger in the safety pin...

I said to him...Think for a moment....do you want me to put this out, or do you want to let it burn, and have the insurance company total it.

burning my hands opening the hood on a car that's on fire isn't something I relish doing anyway -- especially someone elses!

He paused...."Let it burn."

Exact same thing happened to my last XJS - the wife was at a major intersection waiting on a Left Hand Turn Light - she saw a small amount of smoke come up from the cowl - the light turned green and she make the left hand turn - a few feet down the road the "smoke" turned to "Flames" and she pulled into a shopping mall parking lot - got out of the car. The Fire Dept. was located at that intersection - so they were there in a flash. Even so the fire totalled the XJ-S.

I had it towed to the Jag. Dealer - the Service Manager there bought the car for a V8 Conversion.. The Jag Dealer appraised the car for the Insurance Company - - - so I got fair market value for it. Beautiful driving car with a wonderful V12..smooth... but I'd never own another..Electrical problems were constant.. ah not to mention the fire.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Mikes Z car]

Ah, another item might be needed then, marshmallows in case there is an engine fire.

I am an electrical kind of person so I would have a voltmeter with me. Never used one yet, just like the idea of having it there.

Edited November 26, 2012 by Mikes Z car

[FastWoman]

The most important tool I have is a cheap multimeter. At $3-5 each, I stash one on every car and boat. I seem use these more on other people's cars, boats, houses, electronic items than on my own cars/boats. I also stash an OBDII reader on our truck, which is our only remaining post-1996 vehicle.

Important spare parts: Fuses and bulbs, belts.

Important supplies: 1 quart of oil and one can of starter fluid (depending on the vehicle). In the desert, also take water.

Single most indespensible item for anyone with an old car: AAA card.

[Darrel]

I rented a car last year and put over 5k miles on it in a little over 2 weeks. I was comfortable had a nice stereo, a/c and cruise control. 8 years ago I took my 240z to the '04 z convention, no a/c, no tunes and no cc. I forget what I took, but had no problems.

[bombsquad]

The above posts have covered most everything you could need, especially the AAA card. I recently did a fly and drive when I picked up my Z in Tuscon. I drove it back to Georgia and had the same concerns about the trip. Once you have your basic kit established be sure to take the second most important thing.....a camera!! When you look back over the years those pics will be priceless!

[Stanley]

Sort of hate to add any more items; guess I'm not the only one whose car is a rolling parts store and repair shop. How much is too much? Last trip the car was running rich - it was nice to have a fresh set of plugs for the drive back. I also take a timing light & dwell/tach meter, and flow meter in case I feel like doing a tuneup. Jumper cables, mostly for the other guy, so far. It would be nice to have a gallon of race gas (to make up for the extra weight, haha), since it can be a hassle to find. I better get some fuses.

[Wade Nelson]

The fuel rails on the XJS's were notorious for cracking. I know at least two other S owners who had Jaguar flambe'.

[Wade Nelson]

Important supplies: one can of starter fluid

With the Jaguars starter fluid was seldom necessary. They'd self-ignite.

[9teen7t240z]

Hmmmmm.......and all I thought one ever really needed for a long trip in their Z was their Hagerty Roadside Assistance card and an Ipod loaded with tunes from the '70's (for when I get tired listening to my original AM Radio)