Note: For the record I am no expert on cars so don’t hold it against me. Tom took care of most of the car maintenance before we left and this is my mechanically challenged interpretation.
Once we had decided that we were going to drive down to Tierra Del Fuego, looking for a reliable yet discreet car was the goal. Tom needed a new car anyway and after a bit of searching we found Marlin, our 1991 VW Golf. One of the reasons we picked this VW is it was made in Mexico and parts should be relatively easy to come by, though we hope to not need any.
To get a car ready for a serious road trip, find a reliable mechanic (shop around and make sure it is someone you trust) and explain exactly what your trip will entail. For us, we were referred to a VW specialist who had already assisted other road trips to the Baja. If you live in Calgary this is the guy.
Marlin’s check-up involved a thorough inspection that included looking at the:
- Steering rack
- Suspension
- Brakes
- Exhaust
- As well as purchasing a new set of tires
Our amazingly helpful (and honest) mechanic gave the engine a tune up because the gas in Mexico is known for being dirty. He replaced the fuel filter and gave us an extra just in case. He also changed the fan belt and the alternator belt. We have spares of these as well. A tool kit carrying jumper cables, pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, flares and, of course, a spare tire are other necessities for a road trip.
It is a wise idea to change the oil in your car, check with a mechanic about what will provide the best performance for your vehicle. Usually we use thinner oil since Calgary is so cold, but with extreme heat you need to use thicker oil, we are now using 20W-50.
Marlin’s oil was changed in Ensenada, a horribly touristy town that we had already planned to blow through. It was awful, like a cheesy piñata threw up all over the town. A Bridgestone Service Centre seemed like the best choice and, since we had our own oil and the filter, the oil change cost us $5 and took about 20 minutes.
Another tip is to wire a spare key to the chassis of your car. Beats me if there is a service in Mexico, like AMA, that will come unlock your car if you accidentally lock your keys inside but I am guessing even if there is they might not feel like making a trip out to some desolate highway.
A kill switch was installed in Marlin…we are very lucky to have a close friend who is also a mechanic who helped us out with this addition. The kill switch is just another way to try and discourage theft of the vehicle. Once the car is off, and the kill switch turned on, the car cannot be started by hot-wiring or using the key. Pretty sneaky, right?
Any other tips or suggestions for car reliability and safety? I’d love to hear them.
“No Wrong Turns” chronicles Kelsey and her husband’s road trip — in real time — from Canada to the southern tip of South America in their trusty red VW Golf named Marlin.