I have an 01 S-type with 160k. No engine or body issues for the last 2 years, though I have only driven it on short 20-30 minute drives. I would like to drive it from Geelong to Darwin, about 4.5k over 3-4 days. About 1k per day over good but hot roads. Geelong to Adelaide, Port Augusta, Alice Springs and to Darwin. May I get your suggestions on how I should prepare the car? Thank you

 

Good for you.

I'll leave it to S-Type owners to comment on details but cooling system and tyres need to be in prime condition.

Graham

 

Hi Roberto,
One way? Or 9000 km roundtrip? I am not sure, if I would be keen enough to drive a Jag into the outback. Well, maybe my AWD X-type.

> May I get your suggestions on how I should prepare the car?
You approach it when it is in a good mood and tell it: Don't worry, cat, she'll be apples! (For non Australians: That means: It will be alright!)

A gravel-impact-protector for the windscreen comes to mind. Traditionally that would be a narrow mesh across the windscreen, but I think I recall that you can buy a thick clear plastic-film to put over your windscreen as protection.

If you have enough space: Take 2 spare wheels. Obviously check all fluid-levels before departure. Take spare parts, e.g. light bulbs. Take jerry cans - it might be far inbetween petrol stations.

Not sure: Does all of your planned route have mobile phone reception? In the past, one would have needed CB radio. These days maybe a satellite phone?

Make sure to take plenty of water with you.

Double check that you have that screw-on towing-attachment in the trunk. Check your spare tyre. Take starter cables and a towing cable. Take an OBD II reader along. Take tools and duct tape, possibly reinforced tape) along.

...and don't park too close to the crocodiles at Yellow Water in the Kakadu national Park or in Darwin...

And as always: Obviously mind the snakes and spiders...

 

you are hilarious PFA. Its 2023 and there are enough petrol stations along paved bitumen. Shiela from work takes 3 days to do the trip, with 4 kids. Anyway, I am driving back after 6 mths. Got the cooling system and 5 tyres message. Water, of course. I am keeping on paved roadway, no side trips. Cheers

 

What Peter from Down Under said...

Also, being an "out of sight, out of mind" thing, you might check your air filter and clean out the housing as you are likely to pick quite a bit of air-borne junk along the way.

 

A few more things for the list:

In addition to checking the spare tire, make sure the jack is in good working order. On my pickup, I recently discovered the jack was seized from inactivity. Fortunately this happened at home, not at some remote location.

The stock lug wrench is horrible, and fits very loosely. I recommend carrying a proper socket and breaker bar instead.

In case you get stranded and run out of food, prepare a list* ahead of time detailing which traveling companion will need to sacrifice for the greater good**. No point trying to hash out such priorities when everyone is famished and cranky.

*Make sure you are not on the list.

**Discreetly pack some meat tenderizer and BBQ sauce.

 

thank you, added to the list

 

The jack was in my 'also list' since i do not even know if i have one or the last time it was taken out of the boot. Transferring it to my 'must do' list. Must pack dried beef as I am travelling alone and no other to be a lamb. Oh ok, bbq sauce to mask whatever horrid taste there might be on untreated meat. Lots of biltong for me. Cheers

 

Hi Roberto, don't laugh too much about my "list". I might be stuck a bit in the past and stories from the past, where someone gets stranded on the side of the road in the outback and no one passes for days, but: Even, if there is bitumen meanwhile on that specific main road: It could get flooded. There was just a lot of rain, and you do not know, what the condition will be in half a year. Which is why I'd prefer my AWD X-Type on that route. Also: I expect that there is quite a bit of debris on the roads, hence the suggestion of a windscreen protector.

And a question for you - as you probably looked into this already: Would you also be able to take the shortcut via Sydney, Dubbo, Bourke, Longreach, Mount Isa City, Warumungo, Katherine, Darwin? I just picked 3 random google-street-views along that route, and I also saw bitumen...

 

Not knowing your previous maintenance history, and if in Miles or Kms.
A good long very Hot drive may do anything mechanical. No good long term if maintenance is not up to date.

Like transmission filter and fluid change. each 65K miles.
Rear diff oil change, and fill plug magnet clean. No drain plug just suck it out. Cooking old oil long term will do it no good.
Fuel filter change.
Cabin filter and service the A/C Its going to be warm in the middle.
Suspension and bushes check, so the tyres do not wear out half way through.

Something things POA omitted. (what a guy!)

One of those funny Bush hats with the corks dangling down on string, (with spare string.) I know you will be going on this trip with plenty of corks securely installed in the correctly chilled wine bottle necks.

and a Sheila who can catch and cook Bush tucker!


https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Geelong/Darwin

Geelong to Darwin

37h 3min£374–540 2316.5 miles

 

on the list, thank you

 

got it Peter, thanks. I looked at the Syd Dubbo way and decided Adelaide. But will look at it again. Looking at Ali for windscreen protector. Thank you as always