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Hello All,
In the near future (this month or early January) I will be driving my 1996 Volvo 850 GLT wagon, a 5 speed manual (with nearly 400,000 miles) to Wenatchee, WA a distance of over 2,800 miles. I am delivering the car to my daughter for her use. I can respectfully say, that despite the high mileage, the car is well maintained and everything works on it.
My questions are:
1) Any suggestions in terms of driving cross country (I’ve never done it before) and I don’t mean in terms of navigation. Just practical suggestions.
2) My daughter works in a town call Wenatchee, WA 988801-1601. I know this is a “Shot in the dark” question, but does anyone know of a Volvo repair shop in or nearby that they can recommend?
That’s it and thank you all who respond in advance!
Hugh
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Except that it could be cold and icy. Yes, if there is snow in the mountain passes, you will be required to have chains. That is OK because your daughter will want the chains if she ever has to travel to the coast when there is fresh snow in the pass. Buy some nice ones that are 'easy' to put on, take off.
Snow tires for your trip sound good, but the Interstates are almost always clear. And driving on bare pavement at 70-80mph for 2,000 miles might wear them down a bit. Except for northern Indiana, close to Chicago, where it can snow a foot/hour. And when that happens, you might just want to spend the night somewhere warm or follow a snow plow.
I used to spend Christmas in CT, and drove from Chicago. I would leave CT at around 9pm so the kid would be asleep. Only once did I have to follow a semi through western PA where the snow was over a foot deep. No snow tires, no chains. No snow plows. No traffic, until Cleveland. That trip took 14 hours.
There is no cruise control allowed when the pavement is wet or icy, you right leg may get a bit sore, so count on a few extra stops to get the circulation going again.
Four days. Five if the weather is bad. This is a BIG country.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new
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AAA membership - at least 100 mi. towing.
Good full-size spare. Spare bulbs.
I bought a pretty nice tool kit from NAPA, took it out of it's case and put it in three bags and placed it around my spare tire.
In Michigan, the battery in my daughter's '88 745 went dead. AAA guy towed her car, let her call us from his shop, and took her to a hotel. Sunday morning he took her car to his buddy's electrical shop where his friend cut down some brushes to fit, and she was back on the road by noon!
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Hi Hugh,
I've been to Wenatchee. It's a beautiful area! Great recreational opportunities nearby in the Cascade mountains. A big, beautiful lake called Lake Chelan is not far too...
Don't miss visiting the nearby town of Leavenworth. The best Germanic-style town I've seen in the U.S. You'll think you are in Deutschland!
Because the population is 32,000 and it is the largest town in the area you should be able to find a good independent mechanic that can work on the 850 in town. Lots of Volvos in Washington...:)
Be safe and enjoy the trip!!
Jim
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Jim,
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I was being to feel like a “Lost pilgrim going to a strange land”.
I guess my concern is, I hope I am not underestimating the challenge of driving cross country in the dead of winter.
Hugh
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Driven x- ctry 4 times. The most hazardous part of the trip will probably be going over the Rockies. Or perhaps the northern Midwest if the weather is bad. Keep attuned to the local weather and you should be fine! If there is a large amount of snow, chains are essential (and required) in the Rockies and Cascades..
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Oh come on Hugh.
You know the obvious answer is that you should take a spare 854T with you!
Enjoy the trip. Take as many 2-lanes as possible / practical.
My sister has taken many cross country jaunts on her motorcycle and that's her advice.
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Alschnertz,
I am glad you mentioned your sister has taken many cross country trip on a motorcycle. I was being to become a little bit intimidated by this whole process. Like: “What am I getting myself into?”
Wagons West! Or “Wenatchee or Bust!”
Hugh
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If I were Hugh, I would head down I-81 to Knoxville. Then make my way south and west on 2 lanes to the Pacific coast. Then go up the coast to WA. But he may not have 2-3 weeks in his budget.
Your sister probably wouldn't even think about about a direct route to WA in January! I have had ice water in my boots and slush in my lap, knees so cold that they didn't want to straighten up, and that was only between Chicago and Denver. The best part of that trip was the end, when I ordered a double shot of brandy!
Hugh will want a set of chains, his daughter can use them for her trips to Seattle when the pass is snow covered.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new
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Klaus,
If you know. I have a set of mounted snow (new tires actually) that I was going to put on the 850 just before I left. In some states that I travel through, that will not be enough legally? That is, I will be required to have chains over the snow tires in order to be allowed to drive on a highway?
My assumption was (right there that should cause me to pause) that if my car was equipped with snow tires, I would be allowed to travel on any highway.
Hugh
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This time of year???? I-90 can be closed due to blizzards, the passes in MT can be hard to navigate without chains. Chains are required on some WA passes. Studded tires are not allowed this side of the Appalachian mountains.
Bring a blanket, a spare bottle of water, a free tow card, cell phone charger. Remember to turn your phone off while driving, the roaming will drain your battery real fast. Stay on the Interstates. The transponder for NY toll roads works in OH, IN, IL. No tolls west of IL.
I carry a folding torx tool, an adjustable wrench, a flat screwdriver, and anything that will fit in the spare tire well.
As for 'shops', your daughter's best bet is to find one in the Seattle area, about 90 miles west and over the pass. Oil changes can be performed by local Mom&Pop shops, NOT chain stores.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new
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posted by
someone claiming to be Us18
on
Thu Dec 7 17:59 CST 2017 [ RELATED]
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Klaus,
Thank you!
Hugh
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Bring boots, good gloves (mittens are better) I prefer down filled, a cold weather coat, warm hat that covers ears.
Something to keep in the spare tire well, a stretchy tow rope thing. One rated for 5000lbs.
You said not to do this:
I-84 to I-80. Western PA is hilly and can be snowy, the exits are far apart.
I-90(toll) from Cleveland to Chicago can be snowy, especially around the tip of Lake Michigan.
I-294(toll) around Chicago, just masses of fast traffic. If you don't have a tollroad transponder, stay in the right 2 lanes so you can pay twice as much in cash.
I-90(toll) to the WS border, reasonably fast and new pavement.
I-90 to Lacross, WS, keep it under 80mph and the cops won't bother you.
I-90 across MN. Blizzard warnings are to be taken seriously. Not that the snow is that high, but the wind causes blowing snow and drivers cannot see the road, even when the sun is shining.
I-90 across SD, same as MN, except the speed limit is reduced to 65mph around Sioux Falls and around the Black hills.
I-90 across MT, nice scenery. Good roads until you get into the mountains.
I-90 across western WA. Dull, nothing to look at except blowing snow.
Take it easy. Sun glasses are required. So is a clean windshield (the inside). Take frequent stops. Don't worry about the car's mechanicals, they are made to travel the highways for days on end.
Oh, your BHP will decrease once you cross over the Missouri river in SD. You are going up hill and the air is thinner. Think before you pass.
Moose Drool is very good BEER!!!
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Keeping it running is better than buying new
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Klaus,
All your recommendations are excellent. I confess, I focused most on your recommendation of beer to drink: Moose Drool! Sounds like an outstanding product. It may be a long trip, but at least I won’t be thirsty at night.
Hugh
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Spare serp belt and tool?
Piece of cardboard to cover radiator in front, if really cold. I went to Albany once where the heat just would not work until I did the trucker trick.
I like Waze for navigation infinitely better than Google Maps which stinks.
AAA card.
Spare key
Pre flight check
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Farewell 'black manta' ('97 850) Hello 'rocket sled' ('06 V70R)
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LilHelpHere,
Thank you for the suggestions. I just got “Wave” installed on my phone. I never of thought of using it for navigational purposes. Thanks!
Hugh
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I get heat at -15F, no cardboard. If the heat doesn't work at -40, then there is something wrong with the car, or the driver forgot to close the fresh air mix at the top of the dash.
Hugh's well maintained car will not need an S belt. I suggested the folding torx tool so that daughter will have it in the glove box. She also will need a tire pressure gauge if there isn't one in the glove box already.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new
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Klaus,
Thank you for your kind words about good maintenance of my ’96 850. From you, those words are a complement. It is funny you mentioned giving my daughter a folding torx tool. I just found one that I purchased years ago that I had forgotten about. Your suggestion is sign I should include it with the car
Hugh
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I agree. But, I thought this was worst case scenario planning. If a spare belt in the back, even if an old one, takes no space and piece of mind. Little harm also, in a piece of cardboard cut ahead of time rather than out in the cold -if something goes wrong. I still don;t know why mine wouldn't heat -was not airmix, and it was after that core leak repair. Was going to mention chains, but was wary of reaction :)
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Farewell 'black manta' ('97 850) Hello 'rocket sled' ('06 V70R)
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LilHelpHere,
Thank you for your reply. Your suggestions and Klaus’ are starting me to start taking this trip more seriously that I was initially. I was just viewing it a long trip of days of monotonous driving. But because I am going during the winter, I better be prepared.
Hugh
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