Thursday, August 3, 2017

Test drive

I did go out to eat dinner at one of the casinos. It was a bit of a drive out in the desert, up and down some fairly large hills. 

That was largely the point. This was the first real test drive I have given the van and I wanted to do that, see how it performed. It did really well. Temperature stayed stable and no leaks. That was my biggest concern after I fixed the thermostat the other day. No check engine light. It took the hills with no problems, not even noticeable lag. Though I did not push it really hard. 

I think it does need new shocks, at least in the front. At least better shocks than it has now. That will have to wait until after the move. I plan on replacing the front tires and brakes. I may get an alignment before the move. It feels like it pulls very slightly to the right. But I should check the air pressure in the tires first and make sure it's even. 

Large part of this was just because I did not want the first real test drive of the van to be when I am moving and the whole thing is loaded down. Then wind up breaking down in the desert. Now I feel more confident. I may take it for a drive in the mountains, also for more confirmation. All the areas around here for such drives are fairly populated, so if I broke down help would not be too far away. But a breakdown seems very unlikely. 

Have not yet gotten spare belts for it but will, when I get the other parts. I have gotten in the habit of always keeping a spare belt in whatever vehicle I am driving. Since my finances will allow it. In this case, the van has two belts. Have to get one of each. 

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