I often travel from the Bay Area down to southern california. My trip excedes a little over 800 miles roundtrip. Usually, I stop once during each 400 mile one-way for gas (and to take a MAJOR leak). I change my oil on time and am using Mobil1. Car is performing in tip-top shape.

What kind of possible consequences are there for driving long distances without taking major breaks along the way (in obvious pretty hot weather, but the temp bar has never gone over 3-bars)?? Will it decrease engine life in the long run? Strain on engine? Long term damage to internals?

 

As long as you're not cruising at 150mph, I wouldn't worry about additional engine wear. Freeway miles are very easy on the engine and components.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Iceman
[B]As long as you're not cruising at 150mph, I wouldn't worry about additional engine wear.

 

Stop and go driving is much harder on the engine and other components than the same milage on the freeway. Even if you are cruising at 120mph.

The only negative is that you are wracking up miles quickly which will reduce the value of the car. But if you are keeping it long term this doesn't really matter.

Hugh

 

Ask those nutjobs who drove to Asheville from Houston in about 11 hours total! I wouldn't count Lips2000's wear issues as normal though; there's something about donuts and VTECing reverse that flies in the face of anything "normal!"

That said, I think that sustained long distance driving is fine. I drove mine to Virginia from Texas and back this spring, and 2 weeks ago I drove to Indianapolis, then Chicago from Austin. My car has a lot more mileage now but is fine, no squeaks, rattles, malfunctions, etc. I wouldn't worry about it!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sondra S2K
[B]Ask those nutjobs who drove to Asheville from Houston in about 11 hours total!

 

Psicho54,
I've driven mine a couple times from Southern California to Sacramento area. What do you think of the comfort level on your trips? I think it's ok, not as bad as I expected.
The only thing I suggest is to check your oil level after each way!
I think our cruise control works great! I've set mine at 70mph going up the grapevine in 6th gear and it never struggled.

 

Permanent !

 

Long distance driving is fine on the car, in fact, its really low wear compared to the wonderful I-80 traffic you've got right around Emeryville. The car should be fine, even at 100, the rpm's are still pretty reasonable in 6th.

As for the long term effects on the driver...

Actually, I find driving long distances in the S2000 to be better than I expected, and I do it top down all the time. I do put the windows up sometimes though.

 

You'll live longer, actually. Due to relativistic effects, time gets compressed for you the faster you travel. So take lots of long, high-speed trips in your S2000 and you might live 0.002sec longer than if you stayed at home.