Spare parts to take on road trip?

[NissanFanBoy]

Let's say you take a high mileage vehicle on a road trip and want to be prepared for broken down parts and not to be stranded... what would bring?

The vehicle in my case would be a GLK with 226,000km.

I'd probably put in a new battery if it hasn't been done (getting service records tomorrow from Lonestar). But what would be your list? Eg. Alternator, maybe a crank sensor, etc what else? Maybe clean the throttle and MAF sensors beforehand?...I guess what I'm asking is what parts break that could leave you stranded? What little parts that one could put all in a box with some tools and bring on a trip? It would be things like a crank sensor where there's no way to tell beforehand if it was going bad or not... so a drive belt wouldn't be on that list since you can check it beforehand.

[Sentry]

It's impossible to know, all you can do is keep it up to date on maintenance.

226 is no big deal, just drive the thing.

[Tik-Tok]

200k is considered high mileage? :rofl:

[Sentry]

200k is considered high mileage? :rofl:
Better stock up on spare parts to drive it 1500km. :o

[ianmcc]

Here is what not to do-any major repairs just before leaving. If it aint broke don't fix it. Co-worker had all new tires plus struts and shocks done just before a three province road trip (Saturn Vue). Shop didn't do a wheel alignment and the subsequent mis-aligned suspension burned up all four new tires.
If you are worried a high-miler might break down on a road trip take a different car.
My tool box for road trips consists of two credit cards and a cell phone (it should include AMA though).

[Sugarphreak]

...

[ExtraSlow]

200k is considered high mileage? :rofl:

Not to me. Fack, I hardly buy vehicles until they have 200k.

[J-hop]

-Tire pump, nothing sucks worse than having to get under via widow maker on a highway with a crappy shoulder. If the leak isn’t too bad (ie not a blow out) pump up and drive to a town.

-Oil, check at least every 1000km and top up as necessary

-at least a bit of Water- for cooling system, deionized is best (or pick up a quart of premix)

- duct tape or other good tape for potential coolant hose leaks

- shop or paper towels for checking oil and cleaning up

- disposable gloves (I like the $9 nitrile gloves from Costco)

- serpentine belt if you haven’t replaced in a while

- socket set

- multibit screw driver

-code reader

- flashlight (I prefer headlamp especially if you’re by yourself

Double check your jack and tire iron are actually in the car (been there before) as well as wheel lock key

That’s pretty much my gear kit for my truck which is higher mileage and I take on our long road trips

[ExtraSlow]

Am I crazy in that I bring zero parts with me for trips? Been doing this with high mileage vehicles for decades.

[J-hop]

Am I crazy in that I bring zero parts with me for trips? Been doing this with high mileage vehicles for decades.

Not really 99% of where most drive you’d be better off with just your cell phone and calling for a tow. Not to mention a newer Mercedes if something goes wrong it’s probably too involved to do a roadside fix (electronics). My vehicles are all simple enough that I can fix almost anything except for a blown engine/trans on the side of the road so I carry a small kit. I’ve had to do ignition coils on my VW, fouled plugs (wire brush to limp home) and a fan belt on the side of the road before, luckily that’s been the extent of my “break downs”

[tonytiger55]

These are the things that have helped me on my Zonda on trips.

Flashlight
Oil to top up engine.
Tissues
Screwdriver and small pliers.
Extra set of fuses.
Anker Battery
Small case of bottled water and a hoodie/jacket.

I was in Edmonton last weekend. My cigarette lighter and dashcam(connected to rear socket in the boot) died (old ipod radio thingy blew the fuse).
I stopped at a friends and used a small set of pliers to pull out the dead fuse. I had a extra set of fuses in the glovebox. My friend was suprised I kept a set of spares.
Before setting off I checked my oil and it had to be topped up.

The Anker spare battery has a strong charge. Ive charged my cell phone in 30 mins and the battery can charge it up to 8 times.
Having water and extra clothing helps. It can get cold in the evenings and its foooking dry in Alberta..

[NissanFanBoy]

200k is considered high mileage? :rofl:

Can you tell I've never owned a high mileage German vehicle? Lol

I think I'll just make sure I have money set aside for an expensive tow lest I become stranded. But I'm more thinking of I get stranded in a place with no cell service and very few traffic... I'd just hate for it to be something reasonably simple to replace and a small part.. obviously I'm not going to bring a whole radiator with me. But then again, what happens if a rock puts a huge hole in it, it'd be nice to have a spare radiator in the back seat no? Just kidding

[J-hop]

Can you tell I've never owned a high mileage German vehicle? Lol

I think I'll just make sure I have money set aside for an expensive tow lest I become stranded. But I'm more thinking of I get stranded in a place with no cell service and very few traffic... I'd just hate for it to be something reasonably simple to replace and a small part.. obviously I'm not going to bring a whole radiator with me. But then again, what happens if a rock puts a huge hole in it, it'd be nice to have a spare radiator in the back seat no? Just kidding

Luckily that particular example is unlikely as on I think pretty much all cars the a/c condenser is what you see when you look through the grill not the rad. Would have to be a massive rock!

[tonytiger55]

These guys have some really good mods you can do for your road trip.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3-E_6-huO4

[danno]

Both my Audi and vw don’t have spare tires, what do you guys do if you have a blow out and are 200km away from a service area?? I don’t road trip those cars but I always wondered what I would do. Simple solution is throw a spare tire in. But let’s say you don’t, just call a tow I guess??

[revelations]

Here is what not to do-any major repairs just before leaving. If it aint broke don't fix it. Co-worker had all new tires plus struts and shocks done just before a three province road trip (Saturn Vue). Shop didn't do a wheel alignment and the subsequent mis-aligned suspension burned up all four new tires.
If you are worried a high-miler might break down on a road trip take a different car.
My tool box for road trips consists of two credit cards and a cell phone (it should include AMA though).

Yea what he said. If you do get work done, drive it regularly for a week or two.

Also, consult a car-specific forum. Sometimes Mercs have VERY specific issues that affect VERY specific vehicles. The GLK does appear to be the least problematic thou.

https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class-x204/306432-glk350-common-problems-2.html

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

I never bring spare parts. I do however always check my tire pressures, top up my fuel, coolant, oil and washer fluid and keep spare fluids with me.

[rage2]

Both my Audi and vw don’t have spare tires, what do you guys do if you have a blow out and are 200km away from a service area?? I don’t road trip those cars but I always wondered what I would do. Simple solution is throw a spare tire in. But let’s say you don’t, just call a tow I guess??
Bring a can of tire fix foam or whatever it's called. If that fails, call manufacturer free roadside assistance.

[ExtraSlow]

Bring a can of tire fix foam or whatever it's called. If that fails, call manufacturer free roadside assistance.

Isn't that can standard from the manufacturer when there's no spare?

[danno]

I think they are in both cars the rs4 and golf r, never tried them yet I guess I assumed they wouldn’t work. Think there is Free roadside assistance on a 2007 still??

[NissanFanBoy]

Even then you'd have to pack a portable air compressor... good thing I made this thread to remind you people lol

[NissanFanBoy]

Yea what he said. If you do get work done, drive it regularly for a week or two.

Also, consult a car-specific forum. Sometimes Mercs have VERY specific issues that affect VERY specific vehicles. The GLK does appear to be the least problematic thou.

https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class-x204/306432-glk350-common-problems-2.html

Ya I read a lot good things about GLK reliability, even in my thread I made on this forum.... maybe I'm being too paranoid but it still bothers me at 226,000km, maybe stuff just falls apart at 200k... guess I'll find out eventually. A week after I bought it, I did get a code and I ended up switching out the coolant thermostat, that would've been a little scary had I been far from town if it failed, especially in closed mode.

[G-ZUS]

Tow a parts car behind you

[J-hop]

Even then you'd have to pack a portable air compressor... good thing I made this thread to remind you people lol

I’ve never used one before but I think they have enough compressed air to fill an average tire. I still recommend an air pump. I have one in every vehicle

[ianmcc]

I am going on the Great Beater Challenge this weekend with a co-worker with my $500 beater Escort (see links below).
I am seriously considering going on the challenge without a jack or a spare tire. Just because.
My $500 beater...

83089

83090

https://www.facebook.com/greatbeaterchallenge/?fb_dtsg_ag=AdyQ_7Phvfv5keiieIw4QevU1iVI6wZQK7IPufaLilwLDw%3AAdwmKpUxwRYrAEDqPaHoCs64HwnPQ2DOwtEqWxOjLYdJDA

https://greatbeaterchallenge.wordpress.com/

[relyt92]

Even then you'd have to pack a portable air compressor... good thing I made this thread to remind you people lol

You should always have one anyway, they go on sale for like $20 and they are so handy to have.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

I am going on the Great Beater Challenge this weekend with a co-worker with my $500 beater Escort (see links below).
I am seriously considering going on the challenge without a jack or a spare tire. Just because.
My $500 beater...

83089

83090

https://www.facebook.com/greatbeaterchallenge/?fb_dtsg_ag=AdyQ_7Phvfv5keiieIw4QevU1iVI6wZQK7IPufaLilwLDw%3AAdwmKpUxwRYrAEDqPaHoCs64HwnPQ2DOwtEqWxOjLYdJDA

https://greatbeaterchallenge.wordpress.com/

Have fun. I wish I could go but I’m in Spain right now. I have some friends competing and know the organizer.

[EK 2.0]

I think they are in both cars the rs4 and golf r, never tried them yet I guess I assumed they wouldn’t work. Think there is Free roadside assistance on a 2007 still??



I still have the roadside on my 2007 BMW...BUT...I pay a fee every year for it...like 100 bucks or something haha...

[ZZT23]

Any more details of said challenge?

[bjstare]

It never occurred to me that someone would pack spare parts in their cars for a trip. Sure if you're doing the dakar rally or something, but not for normal trips.

[AndyL]

My exploder always had a serpentine idler and tensioner. Or I was stranded roadside. Seriously.

I did the haul to Toronto and back last year this week in a 500$ beater Dodge caravan @400k+ with little more than a spare thermostat, jug of oil and coolant. Figured worst case I'd sell it for scrap and jump Greyhound if something big broke.

[ExtraSlow]

Ran into the beater challenge folks in pincher Creek on Saturday. Some old dudes in a Dodge diplomat RV, team name : the diplomats. Funny stuff.