So planning on a big road trip this summer with the wifey. I live up in a part of Canuckistan named Calgary where we are going to head out to the west coast and run the 101 all the way down to San Fran for a while and work our way back up. Did the sameish run a couple years back in my S4 and had a blast, now it's the p-car's turn. Will be about 4000 miles of road all together, major elevation swings from 6000+ feet in the mountains dropping to sea level, big temp differences all while constantly wringing her neck through the twisties on that glorious 101, can she do it? Of course she can but what preventative maintenance and parts / tools do you gentlemen suggest I should do and take with me in case she decides to **** the bed in the middle of nowhere?

 

visa with a 10k$ availability and a AAA card

 

Haha, that'll be at the top of my list. Wondering if I should worry about items like coilpacks, plugs, coolant lines etc. Car has ~30,000 miles, what should I be concerned about?

 

doesn't sound like much fun if you are concerned about your car breaking down. unless you have a flat which is something you can't control i wouldn't sweat it, if you do sweat it than drive a different car

 

Once you make at far as SF and vicinity, find the coastal Highway 1 or head south to Monterrey and connect with it there. The drive down the coast from there to, say, Morro Bay is spectacular and shouldn't be missed if you have come that far!
Your car should be fine for the trip; consider doing the 30K service prior to leaving (fresh plugs). Take your time and bring a camera.

 

Your Porsche will be fine, but as you know, stuff sometimes happens, so AAA and a good credit card, as stated above, should have you covered just in case. You MUST tour the Hearst Castle on your way. Awesome! Watch out for re-treds flying all over the highway. I hit a giant re-tred from a semi when I last went up/down the 101 in my Z-car. I would drive as much during the day and little at night so you can enjoy the views and see the cars with the lights on top from a distance. That may be the best drivers road in the world. I have seen it ranked #1 in the world in a few publications. Be sure the cooling system is all good. Have fun! Remember, they only have 91 Octane in CA, so your timing may pull back if your pushing her.

 

^ Everything they all said. Don't miss driving the PCH 1 south out of SF. Odds are you'll be fine with the coolant lines; most of us haven't had any problems (yet lol). If you have AAA upgrade to AAAPlus so you get 100 miles towing included, if you haven't already.

 

Best to be as prepared as you can be, these cars are getting old so a little preventative maintenance and a just in case pack wouldn't hurt. I prefer to do all my own work anyways unless I really trust the mechanic.

Did that run a couple years back, gorgeous for sure. This time around plan on focusing more up in Oregon and Nor Cal, I love the scenery and driving there. Spend many days going for hikes in the Giant Redwoods and hangin by the ocean, it will make the wife happy.
Plugs were done about 10k miles ago with the Evoms kit the prev owner installed. I think I'm going to do plugs and coilpacks anyways, for peace of mind at least.

Right on, I'll look into the Hearst Castle for sure, I love sightseeing. Last time I was down we would head out early as well to maximize the days. I don't recall many "road gators" on the 101 last time but they were really bad on the main freeways, I'll keep my eye out for sure.
There are some great driving roads up here in B.C. but indeed the 101 is amazing. I got some good calluses on my hands wrestling the turns in my highly modded S4 all day long last time, haha.

 

I always carry an air compressor that works off the cigarette lighter and a portable jump starter.

A flat or a battery going south seem to be the most common issues apart from more serious mishaps.

It saved my *** last year when I had a flat in the mountains without cell reception. Inflated that spare and was on my way

 

Being a mechanic, since I bought the TT (2008) I always have a tool bag in the front trunk with basic tools (sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, allen wrench set, pliers, cutter, flashlight.…), spare maf , spare bulbs (xenon) (also got a spare litronic control unit bought used on Ebay, mine failed on the east coast two years ago) , multimeter, set of fuses (especially the 7.5 amps for fuel neck valve),a spare poly-rib belt, a laptop with my Durametric cable and repair manual and parts catalog installed on it…. But that's me .. The funny thing is, my tools were more useful to fix other people cars than mine I forgot the most important things are a mitt to wash the car and a chamois!!!!!

 

^^^^^Prepared! Good tips.

 

^^^.... T.... H.... I.... S.....

 

Air compressor is indeed a good idea. Can be very handy and takes up little space. I'll look into portable jumpers as well, trying to sort some alternator issues here so it could be a necessity.

This for sure! Bring it all and hope the only tools you need to use are the wash mitt and chamois, haha. Definately bringing my laptop w/ durametric cable and a lot of these items will come with me as well. You sir are well prepared, I like it.

 

i did it when i bought my car started in springfield missouri went to hosuton then to cali and back up to washington. Fun trip