Well, as the title states, I'm about to be going on a 6 hour road trip, probably every weekend or every other weekend for several months. I'm moving from Md to Nc and plan to go back and forth as often as possible while my house in Md is on the market.

My car currently has about 99k miles on it (not to shabby for an 03). I've mentioned before that I'm not exactly sure what maintenance was done on the car prior to my ownership as the carfax report did not show those details (although it did show multiple instances of service). Although the previous owner of the car was not an enthusiast by any means (single mom with like 4 kids) she did spend money to fix the car whenever necessary.

I haven't done too much to the car myself, maintenance-wise but I figure now is the time to make sure I take care of those items.

So what are the general recommendations for maintenance on a car that is about to hit 100K and will be doing a lot of highway traveling?

I'm going to take the car to my local indy shop and have them look over it. Any recommendations? I know the cooling system should be re-done but in lieu of not re-doing the whole thing, what would be the "minimum" I could do to get by for now? New exp. tank and pulley? Those items may have been done by the prev. owner but I have no way of knowing for sure.

Back in January, I bought some parts to do the valve cover and a few other items on my own but just haven't had time. I think I'm going to have the indy shop do those items for me.

Here's the parts list:


Valve Cover Gasket - Set ES#17830
Direct from the factory
11120030496
If Ordered Now, Ships Today

Shipped
1 $38.48 $38.48
Valve Cover Seal Washer - Priced Each ES#1876905
Rubber sealing washer underneath valve cover securing nut
11121437395
If Ordered Now, Ships Today

Shipped
15 $1.06 $15.90
Ultra Black Maximum Oil Resistance RTV Silicone Gasket Maker ES#2162830
General-purpose, OEM specified black RTV
82180
If Ordered Now, Ships by Jan 17th

Shipped
1 $9.52 $9.52
Oil Filter Housing Gasket ES#23900
Seals housing to the engine block
11421719855
If Ordered Now, Ships Today

Shipped
1 $4.74 $4.74
VANOS Oil Feed Line ES#23138
Supplies oil to the VANOS cam unit
11361705532
If Ordered Now, Ships Today

Shipped
1 $43.39 $43.39
Sealing Ring - Priced Each ES#54259
14x20
32411093596
If Ordered Now, Ships Today

Shipped
4 $1.08 $4.32
Throttle Body Gasket ES#25541
Gasket used to seal the throttle body onto the intake manifold
11611716174