Sidv22

Hey guys,

Me and the wife are planning to go on a 14 day road trip from the bay area to Vancouver and back at the end of this month. I had reserved a rental for the entire trip but then after a lot of thought, I decided that a rental will probably put me to sleep behind the wheel so we have decided to take the C63 along.
So apart from the regular oil change, brakes check what else should I keep in mind? If you have done a similar roadtrip, feel free to share your experience, must-haves, must do's and don't do's.
Thanks!

BLKROKT

As long as it's maintained well, zero to worry about. The day I bought my car in SoCal, I started off on a 5 month road trip across the country that covered about 8,000 miles. Not a single issue. (changed the oil twice)

m a x i m u s

I agree with what BLKROKT says. Also a good idea to maintain proper tire pressures and make sure your alignment is good bc as well all know, this car beats on rear tires.

TurboRush

Make sure you keep some of the necessities in the trunk - oil, coolant, etc for emergency situations - but as others said, not much else to worry about.

When I've done cross country trips before (I am at 4) I'd eye the wheels/tires for lower pressure/weird wear, check the oil and other fluids, etc whenever I got gas but that was it (it was not in the c63).

riteoff

All good advice. Just did Toronto to kissimmee and back in my c63. 5000km round trip, car did fantastic. It consumed a bit of oil first leg south but nothing after that. I keep tires inflated slightly over recommended so fuel mileage was descent 10.3 L/100

Keep tire pressure fresh, oil fresh and maybe a quick coat of wax or painters tape on nose as bugs and debris are the killer.

Trunk gets spare oil, make sure spare tire is properly inflated, spare deionized water, and some basic hand tools. I also carry a set of spare wheel bolts.

Enjoy! Sounds like a beautiful drive!

need2speed

Leave any guns at home :-0

tpliquid

i regularly do LA to SF every month no problems. keep extra oil in trunk. thats pretty much all i do.

Sidv22

Thanks guys! points to remember, oil change, keep extra oil, carry no guns lol, painters tape on the nose.
I have Eurocharged V5 tune and planning to switch to stock for the duration of the trip.

jrcart

Don't speed too much and make sure you have bail money lol

BLKROKT

Painters tape on the nose? Seriously? It's a car guys, get over all this stupidity. It's going to get bugs on it, oh my god it might even get dirt on it. Seriously I don't know why you guys act like our cars are some sort of priceless rare thing. I'm starting to sound like Avery, ugh.

tpliquid

so when you get to the destination you wont have to wash the bugs off. just peel off the tape and no washing required. i spent 5 min taping up my bumper on trips back to the bay and when i arrive i just peel off and all the bugs come off with it. beats me getting a bucket filling with water, get towels, wash and dry takes too long.

BLKROKT

Do you do that every time you drive your car? Because, you know, you look like a complete idiot doing that.

AMG3.2

Totally agree. Bugs are such a b*tch to get off and I'm not about to sit there scrubbing with some abrasive wash mitt while marring my bumper.

Swirl marks and marring are just too ugly for me to deal with, so I too painters tape on long journeys. Much, much easier after all is said and done.

tpliquid

yea i do everytime i drive back to the bay. every month. i think amg 3.2 will agree driving to so cal from bay and back will have a few hundred bug splatters on the bumper.

ZephyrAMG

I agree with BLKROKT like 99% of the time. I just think anything you can do to keep a car (or whatever you care about for that matter) in good, clean condition it will help keep it looking great (if you care about that sort of thing). A C63 without marring or swirls or damage is a beautiful looking machine.

Bug guts, when they dry or get baked in, is some of the hardest stuff to remove.

WD40 helps and so does Goo Gone, applied locally to the affected area.

INS1GNIA

Was about to ask why then I saw how weird the CCW laws are in Canada, nevermind.

tphss

I've done the trip from Miami to Atlanta and back several times, which is just a few hundred miles less than what you're planning.
I'd say don't worry too much about it, have AAA if you're not a member yet. I also like to change my cabin air filter if I haven't in a while before a long roadtrip (it's a POS in the w204).

Other than that assuming the rest of your car is well maintained fill up and enjoy!

Arjy

im with blkrokt on this one. after buying my car, took it on a cross country road trip through all sorts of national parks and remote roads. absolutely zero issues, even in death valley in middle of the summer. these cars are tanks

deadlyvt

You seriously tape your car?
I guess in that case make sure your panties and bra match before you head out

zcct04

Curious - why would you bother to do that?

wawy

For a more permanent solution, you might want to look into getting a clearbra/paint protection film applied (IE: 3M or X-Pel). It's pretty popular around here due to the gravel and salt they use in the winters..

Sidv22

Thanks for all suggestions!
Not going to speed in Canada for sure.

Just for the sake of reliability since I will be driving in some remote areas. I have never driven long distance with the tune on. but I might not even do it.

thesaintusa

No need to do anything other than top up the fluids and go.

If the regular maintenance schedule is adhered to, and the car is functioning well now, then a lengthy road trip doesn't require anything special other than fuel.

Keep the tune on, for highway cruising the stress on the car is as low as it gets.

ZephyrAMG

That's gonna be a beautiful drive....take and post some pics
Safe travels.

Ejbrock

Ejbrock

I would add a coat of carnuaba wax will make the bug juice easier to remove. I also carry a fire extinguisher. Enjoy the journey!