5200 mile road trip in a 2012 ? Advice please.

get your tranny fluid flushed

 

Consider changing your air filter if it hasn't been done recently. Also replace the cabin filter. Check all fluid levels and tire pressure. Don't forget the spare.

FYI: Your next major service interval is at 120K miles.

Have a safe trip.

 

Check engine, cabin air filters, check and change fluids if necessary, check your brakes if there’s enough brake pads and rotors for any damage, inflate your tires to 35psi on all 4, check washer fluids and top off as needed in case you run over a whole bunch of gnats on the road and wiper blade inserts if it’s working properly by clearing your windshield, check your battery voltage, it should be 12.6v and above, usually you want to change it every 5-6 years... they don’t last long. Check spade tires and inflate to recommended psi.

 

If you drive the speed limit, capped at 70 mph, highway traveling is the least stressful driving for your engine. Two danger areas for all cars (IMO) on a long trip are a flat tire and fluid issues. Make sure the fluids are topped off and fresh and make sure tire treads and sidewalls are in good shape.

 

Above is all good advise. I recommend keeping a close eye on your oil. adding when it gets 1/2 a qt. low don't wait until it's a qt. low heat and a low oil level is a bad combination. Get your maintaince done a few weeks before you leave just incase somebody screws something up you have time to take care of it. Make sure your tires are good and inflate to 42/40.

 

Oh yeah, the oil. I was 2,000 miles away from home years ago in my old reliable 10 year old Camry and the engine started sounding funny. I was advised to put in a quart of oil and it worked like a charm.

Have a mechanic examine your hoses under the hood. If you have a fluid issue on a road trip in a '12, it could be due to a leak in a worn hose.

 

Actually it's a simple Drain and Refill, no flush

 

Change engine and tranny fluid. Top off all other fluids and take an extra qt of engine oil along just in case. Of course get the brakes and tires checked also.

Have fun

Here is a link to our trips last year.
Road Trip | PriusChat

 

Yep do all the above...and go on your trip!

Our 2010 has been on three long road trips so far and has done very well...lots of mountain climbs/descents too :

As an example...here is our 2017 route : https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xHF9v2dpDqkYzE939LNQDA07UR0&usp=sharing

I will warn you that the engine screams like thunder climbing and descending ( in B mode ) mountain passes. However, it made it just fine with no ill effects.