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Coupes & Convertibles Scion tC Scion tC Problems and Solutions 
599 messages, Last post on Oct 30, 2006 at 12:06 AM
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Replying to: tranti (Nov 13, 2005 10:21 am) I can think of tire inflating tube, some distil water,some food and drink. What else ? I`ll get the oil change before leaving and after reaching CA.Also how often should I take breaks and for how long ? How much hours should a person drive in a day without over exerting the car ? Its my first drive greater than 400 miles so I am concerned. Thanks a lot in advance. Gaurav |
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Replying to: gaurav811 (Nov 13, 2005 12:39 pm) I love driving - most of it has been in a 1992 Geo Metro convertible - now with around 82,000 miles on it. I always (in winter) carry water and a warm blanket. I also have a flashlight, a generic set of "car" tools like you can buy at Harbor Freight, Sears, etc. I also carry a pair of jumper cables. I'm an amateur radio operator, so I've always carried a radio with me, but now, in the days of cell phones, a cell phone will definitely be sufficient if you stay on the Interstate. I also head to our library & check out audio books (cassette or CD) - that (and music) really helps the time go by. Since you're moving, you may want to consider getting audiobooks at a Crackerbarrel restaurant because you can buy a story at one restaurant and exchange it for a small fee at the next. I definitely wouldn't fly - a car is far more fun, and you should really enjoy your TC. If the weather's warm, open the sunroof to keep the fresh air flowing. Per how long to drive at a stretch, I can usually last about 2 to 3 hours - at my age (and with the amount of Diet Coke I drink at a meal), my bladder tells me when to stop! Rest stops along the Interstate are fine - I've never had a problem stopping at one, but if you're a single woman driving alone, I think you might be wise to NOT stop at one much after dark. If you get tired during the day, pull into the first rest stop you see and take a nap - no one will hastle you. Have good maps - AAA, Mapquest, etc. Being a member of AAA is also helpful - towing, etc. Know where the motels are that you plan to stay at (maybe try for 500 - 600 Interstate miles your first day out), although you shouldn't need reservations unless you're travelling over Thanksgiving or Christmas. If you've got a pet, remember that pets (dogs & cats) don't cost extra at Motel 6. Some other chains ban pets completely. Know your internal clock - mine says sleep until 8 or 9AM & drive until around midnight - but we're all different. Your driving "clock", though, shouldn't differ from your normal preferred waking hours. When you get your oil change before you leave, be sure to have your tires properly inflated. If it's been 6,000 miles or more since your last tire rotation, have the tires rotated, as well. Be sure the service people check the air pressure in your spare tire - they usually forget to do so unless you ask. Per the car, it can drive longer without damage than you can. Unless you plan to drive in circles for days at a time in Death Valley in the summer, you'll never stress the car. Just watch your own reactions - keep your brain and eyes active. Check your mirrors frequently, your gauges occasionally. Have some food with you - snack food that you can eat while driving without distracting yourself - popcorn, peanuts, etc. A pillow helps too, in case you want to take a nap in the middle of the afternoon. Best wishes to you, and, when you arrive, write back to the list to let us know you made it. Stan
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Replying to: stan_top_down (Nov 13, 2005 7:18 pm) Should I let the oil change guys know at the time they inflate tyres that I am going to load it up with all my luggage and so they should inflate more ? Or is it not advisable to do so in a long trip because I guess since the tyre gets over heated the air expands and so extra air might be not a good idea. I have an option to go via Route 66 or Rt 50. Any suggestions which one is better in terms of sight seeing and also which one gets less lonely in some parts ? thanks, Gaurav
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Replying to: gaurav811 (Nov 14, 2005 2:15 am) Per your route, I just looked up your older postings. I take it you'll be driving from someplace in NY to Los Angeles. I'm not familiar with the 2 routes you mention, unless you mean the old Route 66, which really no longer exists - it ran from Chicago to LA - but has been replaced by Interstates 55, 44, 40, & possibly 15. As a result, I'll describe the routes I'd take today. If you're coming from NY City, I'd take one of 2 routes to St. Louis. I'm not sure I prefer either, but the first is easier to describe. If it makes a difference to you, I think most of the first route is on tollroads; most of the second route is on freeways. Route 1 to St. Louis ******************** Head west on Interstate I80 from NY City to Interstate I55, just south of Chicago. Take I55 south through Illinois to St. Louis where you'll pick up Interstate I44 heading west. For sightseeing, spend some time in Chicago, IL & Springfield, IL. Route 2 to St. Louis ******************** Take Interstate I78 west to near Harrisburg, PA, where you pick up Interstate Interstate I81. Head south to Interstate I68 at Hagerstown, MD. Then head west on I68 to near Morgantown, WVa, where you'll pick up Interstate I79. Take that south to Charleston, WVa, where'll you get on Interstate I64 which you'll take west to St. Louis where you'll pick up Interstate I44 heading west. I prefer I79 to I81 because I79 is posted at 70mph - one of the few highways east of the Mississippi that is. It's also a very pretty drive. One of the prettiest areas of the country, which has lots of Civil War history, is Harper's Ferry, WVa. You'd have to take about a 50 mile (round trip) detour, though, to get to it. If you want to, instead of heading west on I68, head east to Maryland highway #65. Take that south to Harper's Ferry - well worth the trip. To get back on course, take #65 back north to Interstate I68 and then head west. Farther west, Louisville, KY has some interesting sightseeing opportunities, including a 2 hour steamboat ride on the Ohio River, but I'm not sure whether it runs in the winter. St. Louis West ************** Both of the above routes take you to Interstate I44 west (part of old route 66). Take that west to Oklahoma City, where you get on Interstate I40 headed west. For sightseeing, both St. Louis & Oklahoma City are worthwhile, depending on your interests. St. Louis has a great zoo & transportation museum; Oklahoma City has wonderful western American art (paintings & sculptures) at the Cowboy Hall of Fame. Then stay on Interstate I40 west until you reach California. I've never driven in the LA area, so someone familiar with that area will have to advise you once you get to Interstate I15. Per sightseeing along the way, once you leave Oklahoma City, your next major city is Amarillo, where I live (if you want to get together for a meal, send me a separate e-mail at adelman  nts-online.net, and I'll e-mail you back with my cell phone number). It's worth seeing Palo Duro Canyon here - only 20 miles from Amarillo. West of Amarillo is Albuquerque, NM - very interesting in itself, and only about 60 miles from Santa Fe - also very interesting. Heading west from there you'll pass very close to the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona. West of that is Flagstaff, AZ, which is close to the Grand Canyon - definitely a "must see". Also in the Flagstaff area are Tuzigoot, Montezuma's Castle, and Cedar Canyon (all Anasazi Indian ruins which pre-date Christopher Columbus). That's as far west as I've driven on I40, so I'm not familiar with the area west of there, but there are some very pretty areas north of I40 in southwestern Utah (Zion National Park & Brice Canyon National Park) that are spectacular if you have the time for a fairly lengthy side trip. I hope the above helps. Per time, if you don't do any sightseeing, you should easily make the trip in 5 days - 600 miles a day is very easy on the Interstate system. Best, Stan |
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Replying to: gaurav811 (Nov 12, 2005 9:01 pm) It's a big country and a longgg drive, especially this time of year pretty risky, too. Besides, you'll need at least 5 days, so hotel/motels/meals will add up. I'd probably fly out and take my chances with the shipper Go to epinions. com and see if there are ratings for the shipper you are choosing. Some are great, some okay and some totally dreadful. |
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Replying to: gaurav811 (Nov 14, 2005 2:15 am) Top 10 Summer Travel Tips How to Share the Road with Truckers |
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| My daughter's 2005 tC has around 18,000 miles on it. Bought July 2004. No problems what so ever until about a week ago. When backing out of the garage, her brakes squeak like crazy. Anyone else experiencing this? | |
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Replying to: gaurav811 (Nov 12, 2005 9:01 pm) I would drive for sure. I've done several cross country drives..a bunch from Wisconsin to Phoenix, plus Wisconsin to Los Angeles. I enjoy a cross country drive, and have never encountered a problem. By sticking to the interstate highways, you'll always be in cell phone range in case of any problems. I don't have a TC, my trip to Phoenix last march was in a Lexus GX470, but the TC is a great road car, and very comfortable on the highway. I wouldn't worry about reliability with a Toyota product either. A big advantage to driving over flying, especially since the TC has quite a bit of hauling space, is that you can personally transport your more valuable or fragile possessions without having to worry about entrusting them to a shipping company. |
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Earlier in this forum owners of Scion Tc 's complained about a missing feeling at cruise speed.Being older I remember the cars of the 70's in order to make cars produce lower emission manufactures would cause the engine to be very lean at certain speeds and it was very irritating to drive the 74 Datsun I had.I assumed with EFI this problem went away.I am looking at 2 door coupes and visit these sites often so keep up the honest input. I wonder if they licked the smog problem with fuelinjection and now are trying increase mpg with lean burn. |
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Replying to: gaurav811 (Nov 12, 2005 9:01 pm) As to the brake and tire, they last longer than you think. For tires, with proper pressure, care and doing alignment and rotation with normal driving can last at leask 25K-30K. The brake could last even longer. In general, highway cruising do least wear on the brake than stop and go traffic. All cost you just mileage which is very low due to the price of the car. As to the risk of damage, sufficinet planning and preparation, enough rest and plenty of time to spare so you don't have to rush but take it easy, you will be in good shape. If you are AAA member of any of your family or friend is, get the maps and route plan free. Make sure to have them to suggest the one to avoid possible foul weather beside the scene points. Enjoy the trip!
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