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I am going on a post-high school road trip with some buddies of mine down to Florida (I live in Connecticut) over the summer. One of the cars we will take down will most likely be my 1999 Contour LX. We are planning to pretty much just drive in shifts straight through with as few stops as possible (no overnight stays). The trip mapquests to around 18 hours. What I want to know is, are there any dangers in driving a car for pretty much 18 hours straight. Will this hurt the car in any way or do I have anything else car rekated to worry about in doing something like this?
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
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Just check the car over like you would for any trip.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Originally posted by CrashDummy:
... What I want to know is, are there any dangers in driving a car for pretty much 18 hours straight. Will this hurt the car in any way or do I have anything else car rekated to worry about in doing something like this?
No, no and no.
But you do want to make sure the car is in good condition before you begin the trip. This includes all fluids, air filter, oil filter, belts, hoses and all tires (thread and pressure including the spare).
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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Also carry an extra gallon of coolant, perhaps a qt or two of oil, and a tool set, and MAKE SURE YOUR jack, and tire iron are in the car.
Check to make sure your SPARE tire is aired up BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
'99 CSVT - Silver #222/276
In a constant state of blow-off euphoria.
Originally posted by Kremitthefrog:
I like to wear dresses and use binoculars to watch grandmas across the street.
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Originally posted by Ray:
Also carry an extra gallon of coolant, perhaps a qt or two of oil, and a tool set, and MAKE SURE YOUR jack, and tire iron are in the car.
Check to make sure your SPARE tire is aired up BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
You da man Ray. 
For Sale - 96 Tour Sport 2.5L MTX with SVT Exhaust, pre 98 trunklid with newer Contour Sport spoiler instead of lip spoiler, newer Contour sport rims. Newer paint job. Brand new floor mats. Rust Free! PM me for details and pics.
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And a big one... IF Your car has a timing belt, make sure it isn't old and ready to snap!!! So many horror stories on Timing belts snapping on the side of the road... Timing belt applies to the I4 Zetec Contour 
Former owner of a 1995 Ford Contour GL w/ 2.0L ATX
Proud owner of a 2005 Ford Taurus SE 3.0L V6 Vulcan
--Looking for Commodore stuff (Drives, Units, Amiga, games, etc)If anyone has any of this laying around and wants it gone, lemme know --
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Trust me, it is a long and boring drive. Me and 2 friends from college drove from Syracuse NY to Myrtle Beach SC, bascially nonstop. You will stop more than you think though, for food, caffine, bathrooom breaks, stretch breaks, etc. Basically what we did was one person would sleep in the back, and the other person up front would keep an eye on the driver. It was about 16 hours worth of driving. You will be soooo sick on I-95 by the time you get there!!!!
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About 2 weeks after we got our tour my Grandpa Past Away In Denver and we were living in San diego at the time. As soon as the Red Cross approved my Leave Me and the wife hoped in the car for the 23 hour drive non stop other then food and bathrooms breaks. All we check was to see if we had gas and oil.
99 Contour SE Sport
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you can do eeet!
Your New England brethren make long trips like that every year to SZ.
Peace of cake.
As was suggested, check all fluids and all that good stuff.
Depending on the mileage, an oil change before or after the trip may be in order, so check your records for the last time you did one.
Driving long distances is not so bad when you have people to share the experience with you.
Three people to a car will be fun.
The excitement of the trip will keep you awake for a long time.
Try to be smart about the time of day you leave. Most likely you'll be going through NYC, so try to plan your departure time around rush hour schedules and things like that.
Don't forget cash for tolls.
Try to stay away from too many caffeine drinks and soda. Try to go more with Gatorade or water.
Kim
1995 Contour GL
Needs less "needs more"
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Originally posted by frenchblueC2:
you can do eeet!
Your New England brethren make long trips like that every year to SZ.
Peace of cake.
As was suggested, check all fluids and all that good stuff.
Depending on the mileage, an oil change before or after the trip may be in order, so check your records for the last time you did one.
Driving long distances is not so bad when you have people to share the experience with you.
Three people to a car will be fun.
The excitement of the trip will keep you awake for a long time.
Try to be smart about the time of day you leave. Most likely you'll be going through NYC, so try to plan your departure time around rush hour schedules and things like that.
Don't forget cash for tolls.
Try to stay away from too many caffeine drinks and soda. Try to go more with Gatorade or water.
what are these records you speak of?  I had a timing belt on my tracer snap on me once on my way home from college. Luckily I was only an hour away from home on a 4 1/2 hour drive. (and boy did I drive that a LOT)
95 SE MTX
svt exhaust
intake
deer killer
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