Recommended Maintenance for Cross Country Trip

[Serra4Runner]

Looking for some advice from the experts. I have a 2003 SR5 4WD V8 that will be going from SF Bay Area to Chicago with my son for college. The vehicle has 115k miles and I did the timing belt and water pump at 95k. Any advice on particular problem areas I should have addressed before he leaves in September? Thanks in advance.

 

[chitown40]

Spray fluid film or another type of corrosion prevention on the undercarriage unless you want it to come back to the Bay area with an 'orange' colored frame.

Also, make sure it has a decent set of tires on it that will do ok in winter/snow/ice/slush weather.

What school is your son going to?

 

[Serra4Runner]

Thanks for the idea on the undercarriage. I take it they salt the roads in the winter. We have good snow tires so no problem there. BTW he is going to Northwestern.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

grease the zerks on your driveline. if you have a grease gun or access to one its probably the most simple driveline maintenance you can do

 

[Serra4Runner]

Thanks. Any thoughts on the brakes? I seem to recall reading that this generation 4runner had a particular issue with the braking system.

 

[chitown40]

Brake calipers get inundated with rust and occasionally seize.

I actually work in the town just north of Evanston right on the Lake. There are plenty of good shops in the area to have work done if needed. I also do auto repair work on Honda's and Toyota's on the side.