So I'm moving...(need rest stop/motel-type advice)

[Jester]

I'm from the desert. Never heard that. In certain parts of the desert, it can be very dangerous to the passengers of the vehicle to NOT run the ac. But there is some small truth in this, in that the ac does make the engine work a little harder. But it should not be a major issue unless the engine is already iffy.

[Andara Bledin]

True or false?

I can't say for certain, but I do know that there are signs plastered on all the major passes here in Cali to not run the air if it's mid-day and you're going uphill due to overheating issues.

I happen to know that the a/c will have a noticeable effect on engine performance, but I suspect that it's much more notable in older cars with older technology.

^-.-^

[Seshat]

This is not the outback. It's the desert between Cali and Utah. It is not nearly as remote as some of the stuff in Oz.

While precautions are a good thing (and I do recommend the water), as a desert rat myself, I would say some of Seshat's recommendations are a bit of overkill.

That's the trouble with giving advice from half a world away. Ah well.

[Jester]

I suddenly realized that there is something else I should mention. There are a couple things that you should have in any car, but especially in a car making a road trip. Specifically, a good set of jumper cables and a good, working flashlight, with the batteries kept up to date. I personally recommend a Mag-Light, not just because of their reliability as a light source, but because they double rather well as a skull-cracker self-defense weapon. I suggest the 3D or 4D models. "3D" and "4D" refer to the number/type of batteries the Mag takes. I have a 3D in the Jestermobile.

[RootedPhoenix]

That's the trouble with giving advice from half a world away. Ah well.

And yet, there's something good in it...telling somebody where you'll be and when you'll be there. There's less of a chance that something will happen on such a traveled road, but you never quite know. Weird stuff happens all the time. I'll make sure to have a couple people as contacts, so that they'll know to expect us.

Thanks for that help Seshat. And thanks everyone else too. It helps a ton.

In looking at a Google map earlier today, I figured that we could either stop in Battle Mountain, NV or Winnemucca, NV for the night. Is one better than the other or are they roughly the same?

[TheSHAD0W]

Mythbusters did a study on it, and running the air conditioner spends LESS fuel than having the windows open. Open windows produce a lot of drag.

[Eric the Grey]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've heard that police/professionals/locals in the know/someone advise you not not use the a/c in your car when driving in the desert. The reason is that running the A/C compressor forces the engine to work harder, which means that it's more likely that your engine will overheat.

True or false?

There is definitely some truth to this, especially in older cars, or any car that is prone to overheat. I had not thought of the heat issue when I posted earlier, and there have been some good tips added since. I feel foolish for not thinking of it earlier, having lived in the Nevada desert for a few years...

Pack water! 1 gallon jug for each person traveling in the vehicle would be my advice (and of those who advised me of what to keep in the car when I lived out there). Yes, the distances aren't as bad as some areas of the globe, but if you do have problems, having the water with you will help until someone drives buy and is willing to stop.

Watch the cars temp. If it starts getting warm (assuming you have an actual gauge, and not just an idiot light, and turn off the AC if it gets overly warm. It can help let the engine cool down a bit.

You might well want to have the coolant changed shortly before you leave, just to make sure there are no issues.



Eric the Grey

[Green_Fairy]

I suddenly realized that there is something else I should mention. There are a couple things that you should have in any car, but especially in a car making a road trip. Specifically, a good set of jumper cables and a good, working flashlight, with the batteries kept up to date. I personally recommend a Mag-Light, not just because of their reliability as a light source, but because they double rather well as a skull-cracker self-defense weapon. I suggest the 3D or 4D models. "3D" and "4D" refer to the number/type of batteries the Mag takes. I have a 3D in the Jestermobile.

also! always know where you towel is

[RootedPhoenix]

also! always know where you towel is

Can't forget that! Essential stuff! (I love those books.)