Going on a roadtrip

1999 DODGE AVENGER
137,000 MILES
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APERBOY24
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  • 1 POST
I'm going on a 6 hour road trip in a couple weeks, and I just would like to know what I would need to get checked before I go? I am pretty confident that my car would make the trip but I just want to double check. My car while idles the oil gauge goes all the way down and it goes back up halfway when I am driving, but when it has been idling for awhile my temperature gauge goes up and goes back down when I go. I just would like some assistance on what I would need checked before going on a roadtrip.
Thank you
-Mike
Apr 18, 2013 at 9:23 AM
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DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 3,380 POSTS
The oil pressure should stay steady and the drop in pressure is not a good sign. Check the oil and look on the dipstick, right after you have driven it, and look for small metal particles under a good light. If you find any this indiacates engine damage. You might have a clogged port in the oil circuit.
As far as the temperature it can fluctuate some as the thermostat opens and closes which makes the temperature change slightly.
As far as things you should check, refer to your owners manual maintenance schedule and go by that.
Apr 18, 2013 at 8:16 PM