You're taking a 1000 mile trip in your beloved X350. You take care of it but you want to prepare for eventualities. What parts/tools would you take with you?

 

1000 mile trip for a well maintained x350 is nothing, just check the fluids, tyre pressures that sort if thing before you go and enjoy the ride

 

Just did a 900 mile trip to Atlanta and back in a car I purchased in April and had driven 7500 miles before this trip. Took no tools, no cell phone.

 

I always carry:

Standard tools for cutting pipe and undoing clamps.
Tire inflator.
Tire plugs.
Hose repair kit. Various sizes.
Flashlites.
Powerful battery starter.
Rags.

 

I always carry a flashlight and a Crescent tool kit similar to this on long trips. The kit lays flat in the trunk. Aside from that, just make sure you have the tools and a spare to change a flat tire. Cleaning wipes are always nice to have, too.

 

Knowledge, a little preparation and a credit card with a generous usable balance. But that advice would go with any car, any year, any condition.

By knowledge and preparation I mean what would I do if my car broke down "here' or "there". Hotels available? Tow companies? Repair shops that look like they might know how to repair a Jag.

Otherwise, I always have a little water, a quart or two of oil, glass cleaner and a few hand tools, mainly wrenches, a few sockets and screwdrivers in a small tool bag. And a code scanner. Don't forget some cheap nylon gloves and hand cleaner.

A few weeks ago I had to replace an ignition coil in a gas station p-lot an hour and a half outside of Reno NV. Took all of 20 minutes which included clean-up in the bathroom and buying some soda/snacks for a job well done. Then, back on the road!

I drove a 1970 Fiat Spyder up and down the California/Oregon coast for more the 15 years. Had a few minor issues but nothing that delayed me more than a few minutes.

Don't worry. Be happy. Enjoy the trip. If something does happen, you can handle it.

 

It's always best to have the car sorted out before taking a long trip. If you know your car needs something fixed, then fix it before you leave. If it's overheating or the brakes are squealing, or the belts are worn don't take it. If it has serious leaks of any fluids it would be a huge mistake to embark on a long trip. My own XJ6 needs to have the front suspension bushings replaced, so I don't want to drive it on a long trip until I fix it. It's just uncomfortable to drive and will wear the inside of the tires out. Back in the day when I was just a poor kid I wouldn't take the chance of using a car in questionable condition on anything but around town trips, like driving to work. If I couldn't fix the car I would just stay home.

If your car is in good shape then don't worry. Just carry a few hand tools to make yourself feel better. I bought my '97 XJ6 in good shape in March of '2016 (with 142K) and drove it through Oregon, up to Washington State from the Bay Area on an almost two thousand mile trip. I put over twelve thousand miles on it before the suspension needed to be rebuilt. I've gotten too involved with my other project cars so i haven't put the work into the XJ6, but when It's done I plan on adding a lot more miles. Enjoy your car!

 

Besides all the great advice given above, check your tire air pressure including the spare.

 

I would take an insurance policy with me that allowed towing to the nearest decent shop.

 

Join AAA

 

AAA membership card - premium member
Cell phone and charger
Full size spare
Heavy duty jumper cable
Roll of paper towels
Distilled water

Jag specific - my jumper cables with spade connectors and alligator clips on the other end; lest my parkbrake decides to freeze again

 

I forgot in my list I take an up to date GPS.

The New Jersey Turnpike exit off RTE 95 is VERY poorly marked and easy to miss especially if you only go that route once or twice a year.

If I had not had an up to date GPS I would have been in big trouble the couple of times I have missed it at 2.00am in the morning.

 

My newest car is 2006 I have 5 other cars that date back to 1993. I have a fair amount of expeirance with something going bad on the road. What has worked very well for me is to travel to or call the nearest auto parts store most can read codes and ask them if they can recommend a good shop they always have for me. Then call the shop explain that your traveling and that Joe at XYZ auto parts recommened them. Unless their totaly covered up they have helped me imeadately. The auto parts guy will no more than one shop.

 

Check
- fluids (I am sure everything is fine but still)

Make sure that
- phone charger and respective cord is in the car (X350s have not the best navigation system available). Downloading offline maps (or app with such maps) for navigation might be also useful data connection might be an issue.
- there is at least 1 liter of water somewhere in the car together with washer fluid
- spare tire is inflated and everything required for tire change is in the car

That is it