[Vwdiesel] "new"1997 MB E300D

[Val Christian]

In my recent experience, things like wipers,filters and even alternators are
readily gotten at Autozone and other parts places which litter the countryside.
If I'm on the road and need something (once an o-ring for a temp sensor
on a 91 Jetta IDI) I just call my local store, tell them what I want, and 
where I am near.  They use their locator, find the store, give them a call
and have the part set-aside for me.  For the o-ring, I rolled up athletic tape,
and depressurized the cooling system, and limped there at 40 mph.  An IDI
creates next to no heat it can't shed readily at 40 mph in the flatlands.

Air filters and other stuff can be readily picked up.  

My history of on the road failures includes:

alternators
tire
cooling system o-ring
injector pump

And planning ahead for those is tough.  Like Loren suggested, just keep your
car maintained, and avoid off roading or other risky stuff.  You might pump 
up the tires a couple of extra pounds (I do 5 or 6) as it will give you less 
rolling resistance, and on interstates doesn't really impact the ride much.

Also, I suggest taking a gallon or two of water, so that if you get a radiator
stone hit or a flat tire in the badlands, you can keep the right stuff hydrated.
I tend to also do a freash rain-x as it helps me clean the bugs enroute.

In general I have fewer problems on long trips, as it's actually easier
on my car than daily driving.



> 
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> am wondering what spare parts I 
> hould take beyond some fuel, oil, & air filters.
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>   We just went from WA to KS and back and I took none of those.  It was about 4000 highway miles so I didn't figure I needed an oil filter, I've never fouled an air filter anywhere near that quickly and it'd be rare to have a fuel filter get plugged on that short of a trip but that's the only one I'd even consider bothering to take.  Hard to anticipate what part could possibly fail on a long trip in a new-to-you car but I think it'd drive me nuts trying to second guess it.
>   Dad's 220 D came with a spare glow plug, injector and a couple other things.  In over 20 years of driving it regularly, even though the provided spare parts were stashed in the trunk somewhere, they were not only never used but certainly not on a trip.  I think I'd just enjoy the trip.  :-)
>     Loren
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