Hello everyone,
I've got a 2010 Honda Fit Base Automatic with 120k. I know all the normal maintence. What I was hoping to get your input on was common failure points/issues that I might be able to stem off.

For example :

Clean EGR valve
Change Coil packs with spark plugs
Change serpentine belts (what about the tensioner)
New break pads / break fluid

Thanks for you any thoughts you can provide

 

I have only once in my life cleaned an EGR valve. It was on a Ford ranger with 220 K miles. The rest of your listed items are normal maintenance. If the belts or tensioner are worn, replace them whether you are going on a trip or not. If not, leave them alone. The same goes for brake pads. Inspect them. If they are worn down to the wear indicators or squeakers, replace them if not leave them alone.

I would not do anything different for a long trip that I do driving every day. I do check all fluids and air pressure before leaving and after that I just drive to wherever I am going.

I took a 1400 mile round trip last week into Ontario. Next week I'm headed to Nevada and Colorado. On both trips I just load up the car, check the fluids, and go. If the trip is over 2k miles, I will see if normal maintenance is expected to be needed while I'm gone. If it is, I'll probably do it before I go. If you have done all of the normal maintenance stuff already, you should not have any problems.

 

I take a LOT of long trips and the only extra maintenance I do is to check the tire pressure and make sure my oil is good to go. There are very few parts on modern cars that are normal maintenance items that fail suddenly and catastrophically (belts, basically). If the car is in good shape and up to date on scheduled maintenance, it should be A-OK!

 

My suggestions:

Check tires--if you're about at the wear bars, get new ones before leaving as you'll likely have a more comfortable ride, as well as a safer one
Check tire pressure (including the spare)
Vacuum and clean the interior including cleaning the inside of the windows
Catch up on any outstanding maintenance (burnt out bulbs, etc.)
Collect maps and/or road atlas (if you have AAA, their four regional series maps are a really nice scale for long trips)
Pack car
Hit the road

Basically, there's not much special to do for a big trip. A big trip is really just a bunch of shorter trips strung together; if you'd be willing to take a few shorter trips with your car, you should have no trouble with a big trip.

 

I check my tire and make sure my oil and filters are good. I have taken some big trips;




SoCal to St.Louis


St. Louis toEl Paso 2x


El Paso toSoCal 4x


El Paso toVancouver


Vancouver toFlorida


Florida toDC


Florida toEl Paso 4x


no issues, still on factory brakes.

 

I am not an expert, but I have been reading around a little bit. I think if the tensioner is turning smoothly and is quiet, you don't need to change it. Or you could change it just because your into the car up to your elbows already just to change the belt. I'm leaning towards leaving it.

 

Inspect everything. More importantly coolant level, engine oil level, trans level.
Dont forget to bring a jumppack or jumper cables. Batteries can be mistakenly discharged.

Replacing components just before a long trip sounds like a recipe to introduce problems where none were before. If it is due for replacement, replace things but if its not id leave it alone.