Road Trip Tip #2: Pre-flight Check

[Kent McLean]

Road Trip Tip #2: Pre-flight Check

For my 850 mile trip from NC to NH, I had packed a
small (6-pack) cooler, to supply me with a cold hit
of caffeine without the need to stop and spend $1.25
for 12 oz. of Pepsi. I put it on the passenger seat for
easy access. I also had a cup holder so I wouldn't
have to cradle the can between my legs.

For the first 6 hours of the trip I could hear a faint
click-click-click coming from down in the driver's
footwell.  Was it coming from the door? From under
the dash?  I played the mental game of guessing
what it might be.  Speedometer cable? Heater
solenoid? Relay? Wasn't there something on the list
about this?  Oh, yes, the seat heater relay clicks
when the heat is on.  Sure enough, the passenger
seat was set at "6".

So there I am merrily driving down the road, seat
heat warming the Pepsi in the cooler.  Doh!

Moral of the Story: Do a pre-flight check.

Check the engine oil, antifreeze, and windshield
washer fluid levels. Check to see that the headlights
and taillights, brake lights, gauges and switches all
work (and are off if not needed).

Kent
'89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy" earning the name "Night Train"