Road trip prep

[JExpedition07]

Thinking I’m going to take the old girl down with me to Florida in early May for vacation. Buffalo to Florida about 18 hours. What do you recommend I check before I go? Last year I did the oil pump, chain guides, tensioners, and torque converter. Would you replace the roller rockers before putting on that kind of mileage? That’s one of my big worries. Thinking I should do the rear brakes since they are looking thin.

6 of us going and everyone is voting mine to be the second vehicle since it can fit everyone luggage behind 2nd row lol.

 

[Don Hall]

Include road service, cel phone, cash, credit card.

 

[BlueStangGT]

Thinking I’m going to take the old girl down with me to Florida in early May for vacation. Buffalo to Florida about 18 hours. What do you recommend I check before I go? Last year I did the oil pump, chain guides, tensioners, and torque converter. Would you replace the roller rockers before putting on that kind of mileage? That’s one of my big worries. Thinking I should do the rear brakes since they are looking thin.

6 of us going and everyone is voting mine to be the second vehicle since it can fit everyone luggage behind 2nd row lol.

Do you have a particular reason to be concerned about the cam followers? Unless you've had an oil issue of some kind I don't think there's any reason to expect them to go bad. Maybe do an inspection to see if there's any unusual wear and proceed accordingly?

 

[mnachreiner86]

Brakes are cheap, so change the rears if you want. Fronts do 90% of the stopping. I’d just change the oil, rotate tires and make sure your fluids are good shape. If they are upcoming go ahead and do them. The truck is built for trips like that. Have fun!


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[JExpedition07]

To that point nothing that seems out of place just that I didn’t do them so it got my mind turning. I did the front brakes last year but the rears I have yet to do...they are looking ready. Don Hall noted on AAA etc. thanks folks.

 

[Machete]

I’ve driven my 1st gen from Chicago to Florida and back 4-5 year. Some trips were 24 hours.

Make sure you bring oil to keep it topped off and that your spare is good w all the necessary tools.

Think about your alternator, battery, radiator coolant, and tires.

 

[Don Hall]

........Don Hall noted on AAA ....

FYI: If a Costco member, road service is FREE with an Executive membership.

 

[JExpedition07]

I was wondering about the alternator. My truck doesn’t use a drop of oil between its 5,000 mile oil changes so I think I’ll skip that. It does seem like the Ford alternators pick trips like these to die in my experience lol.

 

[Aspen03]

Basics have been covered, though on the spare make sure it will actually lower. A friend of mine had that issue with his f250. Spare had never been used in the 171k before it was needed. Wouldn't you know, it wouldn't budge an inch.

I'd do an maintenance that would maximize economy...air filter, tires inflated properly...adjust for the weight you'll have if more than typical, give it a quick detail...nothing worse than driving a less than fresh feeling vehicle for an entire day.

 

[Kjhawkeye1]

FYI: If a Costco member, road service is FREE with an Executive membership.

I believe that is included if you also have auto insurance through them.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I was wondering about the alternator. My truck doesn’t use a drop of oil between its 5,000 mile oil changes so I think I’ll skip that. It does seem like the Ford alternators pick trips like these to die in my experience lol.

Wow, that's a rare bird among the 5.4s. I go through a good 1.5 qts every 5k miles and always have. Back when it was still under warranty all the techs were commenting on how low my oil consumption was compared to most of the 5.4s. lol

 

[Motorcity muscle]

Have an '07 two wheel drive with 136,000 that I brought back to Florida from Michigan, was a Florida truck. Uses no oil between changes but replace at 3,000 miles. Only thing I did for trip was added 5# more air over recommendation on door jamb. Truck has 20" wheels and did not notice any change in the ride but did get 19.4 MPG.

 

[Don Hall]

I believe that is included if you also have auto insurance through them.

"Additional values are available to Executive Members such as lower prices on check printing, auto buying, roadside assistance included at no charge for vehicles covered through the Auto Insurance program"

 

[JExpedition07]

Wow, that's a rare bird among the 5.4s. I go through a good 1.5 qts every 5k miles and always have. Back when it was still under warranty all the techs were commenting on how low my oil consumption was compared to most of the 5.4s. lol

Ive had two 2007’s now. Neither 5.4 has used a drop between 5k mile intervals. I have always checked regularly never needed to add so far.

 

[mnachreiner86]

Wow, that's a rare bird among the 5.4s. I go through a good 1.5 qts every 5k miles and always have. Back when it was still under warranty all the techs were commenting on how low my oil consumption was compared to most of the 5.4s. lol

Ford says up to a quart of oil consumption in 1,000 is normal. My immediate family and I have always had similar vehicles/drivetrains and we always compared oil usage in them. In general those that lived highway miles used less than those that poked around mainly around town.


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[ManUpOrShutUp]

Ford says up to a quart of oil consumption in 1,000 is normal.

Yeah I recall having a chat about it w/ the techs. My Asian sedans have never burn or leaked any - or at least not enough to even see a change on the dipstick. My previous Fords would burn 1/4-3/4 qt every 5-6K miles. My current Expedition just eats it up though.

My immediate family and I have always had similar vehicles/drivetrains and we always compared oil usage in them. In general those that lived highway miles used less than those that poked around mainly around town.

My oil consumption seems to coincide with distance driven with possibly greater consumption for highway usage. If I drive around town for a week, I often don't need to add any all week. If I make a run out to my usual hiking spots (about 65 mi round trip) I'll need to add a 1/4 qt after a couple trips. If I make a long drive for a job (could be 200 miles or more round trip) then I'll need to add 3/8 qt the next morning before I head out.

 

[Plati]

Check your license, registration, and inspection before the trip.
It might be 4 months out of date or you might leave it home!!!! LMAOWBBQingPORKBELLY

I was up in Canada couple years ago in Jasper National Park @ Athabasca Falls. Bunch of motorcyclists there from Texas in trouble with the Park Ranger. One guy did not bring his license registration or insurance on the trip & they drove there from Texas. I watched the whole thing ... he was sweatin bullets and had to call home to his wife to have her find it and take a picture of it or something. It was DUMB.

 

[Machete]

Ford says up to a quart of oil consumption in 1,000 is normal. My immediate family and I have always had similar vehicles/drivetrains and we always compared oil usage in them. In general those that lived highway miles used less than those that poked around mainly around town.


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I drive 99% highway, 500-1000 miles weekly. If I drive at 65-75 mph I’ll use 1 quart between oil changes at 4000 mile intervals w 5-30 synthetic.

If I drive 85mph+ for hours each day I’ll use as much as 2 quarts between 4000 mile oil changes.

I think it all depends on driving style and use.

 

[Aspen03]

My in laws 03 uses a fair amount at the higher speeds as well, I drove it to the lake approx 500mi round trip and used nearly average speed was likely 75 or so for most of the drive. I was loaded with everyone's luggage but no trailer so likely no heavier than I would have been with normal passengers.

Its identical to mine save for an earlier build date. Half the paint has literally fallen off the doors, has had electrical issues over the years, and is extremely noisy going down the road with rattles and the like. They're only about 20k apart in mileage. It sounds like one of those quitting time on a friday kind of things. Mine is the total opposite in every way. Quiet, doesn't eat oil, etc. The most oil I've put in was shy of a half qt when I was pushing a 6k oil change.

Both are using full synthetic.

 

[JExpedition07]

My in laws 03 uses a fair amount at the higher speeds as well, I drove it to the lake approx 500mi round trip and used nearly average speed was likely 75 or so for most of the drive. I was loaded with everyone's luggage but no trailer so likely no heavier than I would have been with normal passengers.

Its identical to mine save for an earlier build date. Half the paint has literally fallen off the doors, has had electrical issues over the years, and is extremely noisy going down the road with rattles and the like. They're only about 20k apart in mileage. It sounds like one of those quitting time on a friday kind of things. Mine is the total opposite in every way. Quiet, doesn't eat oil, etc. The most oil I've put in was shy of a half qt when I was pushing a 6k oil change.

Both are using full synthetic.

I tried Mobil 1 synthetic on the last truck and it started to use some, went right back to Motocraft blend and it stopped.