What's up everyone, PCS to my first duty station in california in december. I'm driving from florida. I'm at about 97k miles on my 06, and I'll definitely hit 100 on the way there. Anything I should seriously check before I go besides oil and tire pressure and the basics?

 

Properly torque your lug nuts, 100 ft lbs!
Have a look at the brake pads and rear shoes and adjust the rear adjusters.
Top up your coolant , washer fluid.
Drive carefully and enjoy the drive!!

 

X2 on Oldblue's suggestions.

Also. If it was my car, I would install a new serpentine belt. Especially if it's the original belt on a 9 year old car. Throw the old belt back with the spare tire.

 

Yup yup Yup

Pack a few snacks .Your HHR should be capable of 6-8 hours of driving between fill ups

 

Leave early enough to check out either Juarez on the way (El Paso) or Tijuana once you get there...( I assume you'll go I-10 to I-8)...take a few extra bucks to spend, heaven knows it'll be a long long time before you have any fun once you actually get to where your going...

 

I'll be takin i10 all the way to california, I'm debating on going up U.S. 1 when I get there, I'm not worried about money or anything as its reimbursed, spark plugs? brakes are brand new not even 2 months old.

 

Good to go! How are your wipers ???

 

Maybe throw in a fresh oil/filter change unless one was done fairly recently.

I prefer to do maintenance/work on the vehicle a few weeks before heading out on a long trip - just in case I had fumble-fingers, or the dealer screwed up. Would rather discover my mistakes at home, rather than on the road. ie: my Toyota dealer years ago that failed to tighten up the two drain plugs on the trans and transfer case, AND also neglected to tighten up the rear crossmember. Bless their little pointy heads :)

 

That's why I didn't buy a Toyota and don't let my Chev dealer near my rides

 

Military makes it difficult to check out TJ. Several commands actually have it on the off limits list.