wmb0000

Hi

I have a RX350.

I am planning a road trip from boston,ma to los angelos, ca.

I plan on driving about 12-13 hours straight and 1/2 hr rest and then start up again.

Would this do any damage to the car for driving such a long period of time?

Thanks in advance

anulex

duh no! Unless u r going to be driving it for 12Hrs at 110 mph the perhaps i would be concerned.

okiaristo

the car no, you.... probably. why not stop and sleep for a bit?

AM1

iTrader: (6)

you will need rest faster then your car will.

wmb0000

sorry I wasn't clear. I will heading with a bunch of friends, so we are taking turn driving. So each take a 3-4 hours block and switch driver.

So it seem that I should not working about running the car for that long period at the time. I believe it's mostly highway driving around 75-85 mph.

Thanks again

geko29

Highway driving is actually the gentlest thing you can do to a car. Very little load on the engine once at speed, little to no shifting of the tranny, almost no braking, and LOTS of nice cool air flowing over the radiator, oil/trans coolers, transmission and rear end. It's just about the ideal operating condition for an engine/car.

Orzel

iTrader: (1)

Did a 4,600 mile tour trip last year (Western States). Was not unusual to be on the road at speed (75 to 90) for 10 to 12 hours at a stretch. No adverse reaction from the RX, seemed to thrive on it, and we averaged 23+ miles per gallon for the trip, which included some very high mountain passes (over 14k feet).

wmb0000

very nice.

Thanks for the reply

salimshah

Although not required .. and it may cost you money too.. the dealer does provide a check-up service for a long trip. Check torque and condiiton of stuff once they put the vehicle on rack.

As pointed out before, the short stop and go, is the most stressful for the vehciles.

What I would suggest is to be prepared for emergency. Things like

1. Mobile Phone.
2. Flashlight.
3. Small tool kit.
4. Check air in the spare.
5. Roll of paper towel/rags.
6. Gallon of water.
7. Light quilt or something to keep warm or cover.
8. Emergency medical kit.
9. Fire extinguisher.
10. Flares.
11. Knife ..... I had to cut the ac belt once when the compressor jammed.
12. Empty gas can.

AND watch out for tired drivers ... the hwy system is so nice, but it also luls the driver(s) to sleep.

Salim

Lil4X

No problems for the car, I took a 6800 mile working vacation several years ago when my RX 300 had about 1000 miles on it - and that was back when Lexus didn't have much representation in the Rockies, Great Basin, and Pacific Northwest.

Just be careful, especially in unfamiliar cities. Planning and mapping your route is essential. Know where you plan to stop for fuel, meals, and count on a motel stop every two days as a minimum - you won't sleep well propped up in the seat, and you will REALLY appreciate a shower. Don't make this a marathon, but take your time, stop and see the sights, and enjoy!

If you have Nav, it will pay for itself on this trip. If not, consider a stand-alone GPS Nav, or software and GPS antenna for a laptop. Put your "shotgun" rider to work as the navigator. Lots of tips and ideas for road trips here:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...7&postcount=28

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...0&postcount=30

salimshah

Bit off topic ....

Lil4x's post is so true about driving through unfamiliar area ...

After driving for years in South, in central and eastern Texas.... here practically at every exit there is place to eat or atleast one within 10 miles on highway. We took a road trip from Seattle to Wayoming. It was around 10:30am we passed a food place and decided to skip as it was too early for lunch. The next place to eat was 4 hrs away. McDonald loving crew in the back was very unhappy.

The journey is not just going from point A to B. You are devoting time to it so make the best use of the inbetween.

Salim

wmb0000

cools .. thanks guy for all the info and tips.

We do have a NAV, will definitely map out food/motel along the way.

pkat

Thanks for all the input. Think I'll stick to 87. That's all I ever put in my 2000 RX300, and it ran like a champ!
But I gotta say, this RX350 runs like a dream!
Happy driving.......

Lexmex

I used to know a woman in Guadalajara, Mexico who had a 2001 RX300, and she and her husband drove straight from Raleigh, NC to Guadalajara, just making stops for restrooms, gas and the border. Took about 24 hours doing this.

silvervett

I drove my RX400H to TX last Oct and back to NY last week. I agree with salimshah recommendations I would also recommend that you fill the tank when it gets to 1/2. I let it get low one time and the nearest station was somewheres around 50 miles away when the warning light came on. I was very worried about running out. There were stations every few miles but it turned ot to be my bad luck to be in an area where the next station was far away when I got low. A half a tank will probably work out to about 2 1/2 hours drive time so you can switch drivers and fill up buy food and drinks to eat while you drive and take a "P" break all at the same time without wasting any time.