Road Trip to Dallas, Texas

[Samm25]

Hey my forum bros,

I’m planning a trip on Friday with my 4Runner from San Antonio up to Dallas (about a 4 and a half hour trip) my rig has 190,800 miles on it. I’m just curious, on this brutal Texas heat 100*F should I check anything before I head out? Besides just normal radiator levels, coolant, fluids, etc.?

I’m a thinker and always assume the worst such as breaking down on the side of the road in that heat in the middle of nowhere. Any suggestions for me?

Thanks!

 

[Atlanta_man]

Tire pressure
radiator/heater hoses

 

[AuSeeker]

If your normal maintence is up to date you should be fine.

If the extreme heat is still concerning to you take 2 or 3 gallons of water with you in case you start to overheat, if you have to use the water, fix whatever made it overheat and flush the cooling system and replace it with coolant as soon possible once you get home or to your destination.

 

[Whiskey & Wrenches]

As stated above, check your tires, maybe put in a jug of water and an extra quart of oil in case you need it. Also some rags and gloves in case you have to do any work on what will probably be a really hot engine.

Even more important, a list of the good BBQ restaurants between SA and Dallas would be useful and some cold beer to drink after the long hot drive. :thumb3:

 

[B33R_Runner]

I guess there's any number of things you can be concerned with while road-tripping your 4Runner in the summer, but for me, performance and wear-and-tear is low on the list. Monitoring engine and trans temps via ODB Fusion has taught me a few things, most notably that eating up some highway miles, even when it's in the middle of the summer, is not a tall task for these vehicles. Take it cross-country. The temps stay low and incredibly consistent. Your daily commute is likely much harder on your 4Runner than a simple couple hundred miles road trip.

Signed, 315K+ miles and counting 4Runner, many of which occur during hot Texas summer road trips.

 

[Samm25]

I guess there's any number of things you can be concerned with while road-tripping your 4Runner in the summer, but for me, performance and wear-and-tear is low on the list. Monitoring engine and trans temps via ODB Fusion has taught me a few things, most notably that eating up some highway miles, even when it's in the middle of the summer, is not a tall task for these vehicles. Take it cross-country. The temps stay low and incredibly consistent. Your daily commute is likely much harder on your 4Runner than a simple couple hundred miles road trip.



Signed, 315K+ miles and counting 4Runner, many of which occur during hot Texas summer road trips.

Thanks for your response! I did just recently pick up a ScanGauge II and have noticed that the temps rise a lot more when city driving and stop and go traffic than when out on the highway.

 

[Samm25]

Appreciate everyone’s tips!