How far can I drive in one week? 5600 miles?

[ZeroXcape]

Hello,

While I know more about cars then the "average" person, I don't know the answer to this question: How far can I drive a car before it causes engine problems?

I am planning on driving around the country in a rental car (5600+ miles) and am trying to do it in 6-7 days. If I only stop for gas and 4-5 hours a day to rest, can a rental car (Dodge Intrepid) handle that? I will have four other people in the car, so no... I won't be driving the entire way.

The route is from the east coast, to the west coast, to southern texas, back to the east coast. Any suggestions? Anything I should watch out for specifically? Tire pressure, oil change @ 3000k, gas restrictions? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks for the advice...

Mike

[Nexagen]

Ok if u plan on doing a roadtrip of that scale things I would have handy are:

1) A damn good insurance coverage
2) Triple AAA membership
3) Extra tire with Jack and Lever
4) 1 or 2 5 Gallon Gas Cans
5) A cell phone
6) $500 bucks handy for your gas
7) $300 bucks in case u need repairs or maintenance just in case
8) 6-8 Quarts of oil after 3000 miles
9) $29.95 to change your oil at a Jiffy Lube
10) An extra gallon of Coolant or Antifreeze
11) A weeks supply of food for yourself or about $100 for food or $400 for 4 people
12) About 3 pairs of clothing each (U got to be kidding me if u are'nt going to change clothes)
13) A map of the US
14) A can of Fix-A-Flat if u use up your spare tire
15) A case of Chevron's Techron PROGUARD from your local Costco to keep your fuel injectors clean

Things that are not quite necessary but useful:
1) A compass
2) 11-Band Radar so u can know when cops are checking your speed
3) Toothpaste, Soap, Razor and Shaving cream
4) A copy of your favorite reading material


But as far as cars giving engine problems... unlikely.... but possible.

Usually it's because u need to let the engine cool off. That might cause problems if u drive for say an excess of 24 hours straight. Oil and Coolant might go crazy if u dont rest like your say for at least 4 hours like you say. But this also depends on the weather conditions. On a cool day it really should'nt give you trouble. But say on a day where it's 90F+ then it could be a concern.

But no, mostly it wont be the engine that will give you problems usually it will be other things. Tires are a major concern since u need to check how much tread u have left on those. If u got about 30% tread I would say u need to buy a set of tires before u head out just in case.

At 3000 miles change the oil and u should be OK.

But just in case, worst case scenario, u need to keep some cash ready for emergencies. Tripple AAA would help big time.

Just my
-Nexagen

[BeEfCaKe]

If its a rental car, and you're renting from the bigger companies that have branches in all states, can't you just get another car from them? After all, that's the point of rental cars right??

[burly]

Actually, as long as the car is kept in normal operating ranges (oil, coolant temps etc) then you should be able to drive the car continously between scheduled maintainence. If you get a fresh oil change, tire rotation and lube, watch your tire pressures and temperatures, and be sure to run acceptable gas, you shouldn't have any problems. A car experiences far less wear when its running continously for X number of miles than what it would experience if that were spread out over a number of small trips. So as long as you maintain your scheduled maintainence routines and keep the car within operating parameters, continous driving shouldn't be an issue.

[ZeroXcape]

ok, sounds good... my biggest worry was the tires and engine. since the cars will be on an almost 24x7 schedule (@60-80mph,) I'm more concerned with a tire giving way or something. thanks