Hey now BAIC!
I am driving to vegas in early august with some friends but had a couple questions.

1) Will my RT-615s melt off the wheel driving through death valley?

2) Do I need to lower my tire air pressure at all due to the increase in constant temperature?

3) Am I crazy for thinking its "safe" to take my own car there?

4) Anyone else driving to Defcon and want to caravan?

 

driving = bad idea. im sure if you fly out anytime from m-w you can get tix for really cheap

 

why is it a bad idea? for 4 people its $750 round trip where as gas round trip will only be around $200 tops.

 

I've driven to Vegas from San Jose and from San Diego. On the way back to San Diego was fun. I took HWY 95 to HWY 62 to Interstate 10 to HWY 60 Interstate 215 to Interstate 15 back to San Diego. It was a fun relaxing drive. My WRX made it through with no problems. The tires didn't melt off. Just check all your fluids before you leave.

 

Yeah, single person its usually cheaper to fly. More than that, and driving is still cheaper.

I wouldn't think you should worry about the tires melting off, and you shouldn't worry about lowering your pressures. Just check them mid way and make sure they are where you want them to be. If you lower them too softly, they'll wear quicker, especially in the heat.

You shouldn't have to drive through Death Valley (unless you want to) but you'll probably be driving through the Mojave, which is almost as hot. I'd suggest just doing a once over on your car. Make sure nothings leaking. Top off any fluids, clean/replace the air filter, etc. An 04 shouldn't have any problems going through the desert, unless it already has problems.

 

Just make sure your maintenance is up to date. Oil, coolant, air pressure/no slow leaks, a/c blowing cold. If you dont have a radar detector, get one, a speeding ticket will screw your whole trip. Just run the recommended tire pressure

I've done the drive in August, and you best believe its HOT. We did the drive with a bunch of Audi's early last month, took forever to get down there cuz one guy blew a turbo oil line, another blew a tire. Coming back we made it in under 7hours.

The equivalent route from San Jo would be 152 East-5 South-46 East -99 South- 58 East to Mojave - 15 East out to Vegas. Don't be afraid to make passes around the trucks on Highway 46. We easily saved at least an hour going that route. Along the 58 you'll also be passing the Hyndai/Kia proving grounds between Boron & California City.

If you're parking at a hotel ,your car should be fine. Once you're in Vegas you really don't want to do anymore driving since you have the trip home facing you.

 

Driving to Vegas in August? Since when did you get into extreme sports?

Make sure your AC is working

 

you'll be fine. i just drove to vegas a month ago and had no problems... as said before just make sure that your general maintenance is done before hand

 

what everyone said above is pretty dead on..

also, do you have a clear bra on? if not, do what I do when I take long road trips.....

go to home depot, buy about 2-3 rolls of blue painters tape (they make them in neon yellow, orange, etc. now if your into that lol) and mask off your front end and side view mirrors

 

my front bumper is ****ed up anyways so I will skip this part. thanks though!



I have 112K miles on my car right now and the only thing I can tell that is "wrong" is that I blew a radiator hose after my 105k service (timing belt+water pump+thermostat) the coolant temp gets high(like 225F+) when going up hill with the AC on.
before I go on this trip i'm going to flush the coolant and replace the thermostat and coolant with water wetter+water and a sip of anti-freeze. I barely go anywhere super cold so less anti freeze should be fine.

 

i am pretty sure anti-freeze/coolant has a higher boiling temperature than just water, so you might want to rethink your ratio. it also helps stop rust/corrosion. 60 water: 40 coolant should be good. i would also use distilled water for mixing as it has no minerals that can lead to scaling.

 

I'd do it so that you can peel off the tape and not have to scrub bug intestine for hours, lol...

Tape won't stop rock chips, but god will it save you a really messy clean up.

 

driving to vegas with a group of friends is always fun and cheaper IMO

 

yea, make sure your A/C is blowing cold. i drove through mojave one year at 110ish. it was damn hot. i like to open the windows when it's extreme hot or cold just to **** my friends off. last road trip i was trying to catch bugs with my hand. just be careful of this stretch of 5 that stinks like no tomorrow. by the time you smell it, it's too late.

 

lol...

been driving to vegas to for over a decade now.

first on the wrx and then the STi.

never bothered with tape.... no major chips or stuff.

but then again, i travel at night so less traffic on the roads...