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2005 Cayenne S with 147k miles. Purchased the car early in 2019 at 141k and have had flawless operation since (from a drive train perspective). We live in San Jose, CA, my son is graduating from college next June in Chicago and my wife has never been on a long road trip but is surprisingly open to the idea now. This seems like a perfect opportunity and I'd like your inputs how to prep the Cayenne for this 5,000 mi jaunt.
Car seems to have been well maintained by the previous owner based on the inputs I got when I bought it. (No extensive records just a really detailed carfax and a good PPI.) Coolant pipes have been upgraded and cardan shaft has been done at least once. (Looks good now but I've got a Jimi fix kit prepped and stored in the back in case midgets with hammers arrive). Transmission service was done 1yr ago, along with brakes and tires. I had the dealer do the fuel pump recall fix last fall and otherwise have just done oil changes. The power steering pump seems loud when the car is cold and I've read that there's two different kinds of fluid (CF-11S vs. something else with a 2 in it?) and may change to to the CF-11S. Car has it's share electrical interior gremlins (see my other post tonight) that are irritating but not enough to erode love of the car. It's so much fun to drive I'm really looking forward to driving it across country.
I understand there are many things that can go wrong. (I drive a 2004 996 C4S daily and love it despite the potential of IMSB failure or bore scoring.) What I'm looking for with this post is suggestions on preventative maintenance on the Cayenne that will maximize the success of this trip. Beyond this, I'll be bringing a standard tool kit with wrenches, sockets, etc. so any inputs on other tools to bring, as well as spare parts, are welcome.
You've done all the right stuff. Only thing I can think of is replacing coolant tank as they are known to fail. Not expensive or hard to replace, but can leave you stranded. Again, cheap and easy would be the serpentine belt. Other than that, I'd jump in and drive it. How's your alternator, putting out good voltage?
I would inspect bushings in suspension, valve cover gaskets (probably leaking and need replacement) and make sure Diffs and transfer case fluids are fresh.
And then after you fix all that stuff you can drive and drive and drive it. I have 205,000 on my S. I'd do that drive without even thinking about it. Hell, I'd do it (and have) in my 928 at any given moment.
It sounds like you have the car pretty much ready to go. Perhaps the coolant expansion tank before you go, but that's up to you.
Spare fuses & relays, maybe oil & coolant just in case.
I tend to be a bit superstitious, and I have found that any problem you plan for, are prepared for (parts & tools and such) won't happen. It will be something else.
One thing - If you've never driven through the Rockies, make sure you take I70 through Colorado one way or the other. Glenwood Canyon is reputedly the most beautiful stretch of interstate in the entire country. I've been lots of places and I don't disagree.
Where in Chicago? As noted, parking downtown can be a huge pain, and expensive to boot. But if you are staying in a hotel, or simply coming in, dropping him off & heading back out the next day, it won't be that big of an issue.
I would think nothing of driving my 95 CS to Chicago and back to Boston. Mine has 80k miles with all the preventative stuff mentioned done (brakes, coolant pipes, cardon shaft support, coils, plugs, headlight harnesses). Awesome cruiser on the highway.
I would think nothing of driving my 95 CS to Chicago and back to Boston. Mine has 80k miles with all the preventative stuff mentioned done (brakes, coolant pipes, cardon shaft support, coils, plugs, headlight harnesses). Awesome cruiser on the highway.
But does it have Walrod Bushings? lol...just kidding...
Ha! No, but thinking about urethane bushing on torque arm.
I bet Chris could of whip up some good bushings for the pig if he were over here. That's the last mod I did on the 993 before selling her, and it made a huge difference.
Thanks everybody for the suggestions! It seems totally reasonable to prep the car for the trip. The car has been mechanically flawless in the 1 year and 6k miles we've owned it so I'm optimistic now.
Preventive maintenance items: coolant tank, check alternator output, fresh diffs and transfer case fluids (transmission was already done 1yr ago), inspect bushings, valve cover gaskets, headlight harnesses (the left front headlight gives dipped beam errors sometimes and I need to get out and shove it a bit to fix it).
Wisconsin Joe and Kirill, I'm not concerned about parking. We're staying at the Sophy Hyde park for the U.Chicago graduation weekend and the hotel has either street parking (ha ha good luck) or valet parking for $42/day. We're there 4 days, so the $168 won't kill us.
Kirill, thanks for the pointer to North Shore Motor Works. I sincerely hope I don't need their help.
Wisconsin Joe, thanks for the recommendation on I70. I've been on that several times as a kid on family road trips and you're right it's beautiful.
Thanks everybody for the suggestions! It seems totally reasonable to prep the car for the trip. The car has been mechanically flawless in the 1 year and 6k miles we've owned it so I'm optimistic now.
Preventive maintenance items: coolant tank, check alternator output, fresh diffs and transfer case fluids (transmission was already done 1yr ago), inspect bushings, valve cover gaskets, headlight harnesses (the left front headlight gives dipped beam errors sometimes and I need to get out and shove it a bit to fix it).
Wisconsin Joe and Kirill, I'm not concerned about parking. We're staying at the Sophy Hyde park for the U.Chicago graduation weekend and the hotel has either street parking (ha ha good luck) or valet parking for $42/day. We're there 4 days, so the $168 won't kill us.
Kirill, thanks for the pointer to North Shore Motor Works. I sincerely hope I don't need their help.
Wisconsin Joe, thanks for the recommendation on I70. I've been on that several times as a kid on family road trips and you're right it's beautiful.
What jack would you be traveling with? I have roadside assistance but thinking of picking up a bottle jack to have in case of an emergency.
Wisconsin Joe and Kirill, I'm not concerned about parking. We're staying at the Sophy Hyde park for the U.Chicago graduation weekend and the hotel has either street parking (ha ha good luck) or valet parking for $42/day. We're there 4 days, so the $168 won't kill us.
Two things i hate doing in my Cayenne is valet or street parking in Chicago.
Do you have a spare tire in the back? Not all Cayennes have one. Most do have a bottle of tire sealant that is at least 16 years old and probably expired. So a can of fix a flat would be a good substitute.
Bring a fire extinguisher, extra water (for you and your wife) and coolant for the P!G too.
As for the alternator, it will not show any symptoms until it's about to give out. When it does fail, it has a very short window of intermittent charge/no charge and then it's kaput. The alternator on mine lasted til 180K. It was NOT a fun repair to do, but fortunately Sonnen up across the golden gate had the best price so a small excursion north to collect the part was a nice break from the repair.
How are the lower control arms? If you have no record of them being replaced, I'd highly recommend replacing them before the trip. The improvement in steering and handling with new fresh bushings and ball joints is worth it.
01-13-2020, 01:08 AM
preparing for a road trip
