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Advice for a long hot road trip

Guest Anonymous

By Guest Anonymous
in BMW 2002 and other '02

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Guest Anonymous

Guest Anonymous

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So I'm all ready to head out and pick up my new 1976 '02 from Tucson on Saturday morning. Lucky me, it looks like it is going to be two degrees shy of an all time record at 100 degrees F.

That's not enough for me to change my plans about picking her up but it certainly is going to make for an interesting and hot drive. Anyone have favorite tricks for beating the heat in a non-AC car? I know the best option is to drive at night but since I have to be back at work in Seattle on Monday morning I am going to have to put in some serious daylight hours.

Best tip wins a sweat stained postcard from the crazy podunk California central valley town of your choice.

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Guest Anonymous

Guest Anonymous

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2 front windows open all the way, keep driving at 55mph

The vinyl seats tend to get sticky. Maybe get one of those wood-bead seat cover things the cabbies like so much. Or a towel/cover for your thighs and back

As a non-native just finished with a stint in hot sweaty summers in Georgia i talk from experience - as long as the 02 is moving, its not that bad. Nose to tail jams on the other hand.....

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Guest Anonymous

Guest Anonymous

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Wear a ball cap that you can turn sideways. Not for fashion, but for shade.

Bring plenty of water- for you and the car. I prefer bicycle water bottles as the tops close easier and won't spill. Easy to refill from the gallon jugs in the trunk.

If it's really hot, bring some gatorade or other sports type drink.

A small cooler will fit directly behind the front seats. Get one with a detachable top, easier to reach while seated.

Wear a light colored longsleeve T shirt, or at least bring a towel to drape over exposed legs or arms.

If you have the time, driving up 101 though California(instead of 5) can save you a few degrees from the central valley heat. At least the LA to SF section.

Listen to the Beach Boys. Avoid songs like Billy Idol's "Hot in the City".

Wear cotton underwear and shorts. Or better yet, more technical clothing made of coolmax.

Talk to your racer buddies and borrow their cool suit.

OK, that's enough. Did I win?

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Guest Anonymous

Guest Anonymous

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Kinda. From Phoenix to Sacramento, so I made the middle portion of your trip if you plan on coming up CA. I was in an air conditioned BMW coming across two desserts that hit 120 degrees! No complaints tho.

You'll be fine with the heat. The days are shorter now so the heat doesn't last as long. I'd be more concerned about driving out in the dessert in a car that you don't know very well.

Spray bottle full of water!

Dan

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Guest Anonymous

Guest Anonymous

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Kinda. From Phoenix to Sacramento, so I made the middle portion of your trip if you plan on coming up CA. I was in an air conditioned BMW coming across two desserts that hit 120 degrees! No complaints tho.

You'll be fine with the heat. The days are shorter now so the heat doesn't last as long. I'd be more concerned about driving out in the dessert in a car that you don't know very well.

Spray bottle full of water!

Dan

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Guest Anonymous

Guest Anonymous

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overnight..... I'd try to get on the road as early as possible on Sat and get as many miles behind you as possible as early as possible.

Agree with the suggestion that 101 will be cooler than I-5, but if you're leaving AZ early Saturday you'll probably be coming up the valley late enough in the day that it won't be too bad, and 5 is a much more direct route than 101.

Carry a decent sized ice chest & keep it full of ice, carry plenty of water, and watch the car's fluids (water and oil). Other than that, the other suggestions are all good ones - sit on a thick towel, cover exposed arms and legs to keep them from sunburning, put a damp towel around your neck & shoulders (surprising how cool that will keep you with the windows open).

Good luck and have a safe trip.....

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Instead of heading up the I-5, just take the I-10 to Santa Monica, connect to the 405 heading North, and take the 101 up. It's what I did, and I'm glad I didn't have to touch that massive hill! :)

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Guest Anonymous

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and increases productivity in this great land of ours!

Make new friends! It's great way to meet new people desperately in need of a dental plan.

Breaker, Breaker, one-nine...

D

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Guest Anonymous

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if you can get away with it tho, close the heater vents cause that will really up the temp in the car. The rear windows sometimes slap shut so open them , tighten down the thumb screw so they hopefully stay open. If you are still "bleeding" heat into the passenger compartment, and you don't need the aux cooling, go out and gently persuade the heater control valve on the coolant lines so that it is fully closed, or cover the air intake area so no air flows over the heater core, good luck , lets see that thing once you get it up here, R in Seattle,

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