Thread: Pre-road trip check

Assuming you're not planning on getting out a tool kit and performing service works, I would just make sure all the basics are there.

Water and oil levels are most important.
Tyre pressures, including spare tyre.
Locking nut tool to get nuts undone, including to get the spare wheel off.
Break pads - easiest to check if you take one front wheel off, then one rear wheel off. This also checks your jack works and that the wheel nuts aren't stuck on should you get a flat tyre. Better to find out now, than on the road.

Having owned it for 2 years, really what you're looking for is any change. Handling differences, funny sounds that weren't there before, etc. If it drives the same as it did a month ago and the month before that, then you're most likely safe. If anything has slowly been changing - a noise getting louder, or some difference handling, water or oil level changing when it didn't before - then it should be looked at... it's probably an indication something is going to go wrong.


That's my 2 cents!

I would take it to your local garage and get them to check and top up if necessay the oils in the gearbox/transfer case and front and rear diffs, if the box is auto you will have to check the level (on level ground) yourself as it needs to be cold idling in neutral, have a good trip, regards Frank.

Thanks for that info. When I checked the water I looked in the white screw top bottle. the level was fine. Does that mean the water in the actual radiator is okay too, because I was having trouble getting the plug out of the top of the radiator - i think the screw thing is plastic on mine and didn't want to wreck it so I didn't try overly hard. Also my drivers door can be hard to open from the outside, any ideas what this is?

Originally Posted by discoveryfamily

Thanks for that info. When I checked the water I looked in the white screw top bottle. the level was fine. Does that mean the water in the actual radiator is okay too, because I was having trouble getting the plug out of the top of the radiator - i think the screw thing is plastic on mine and didn't want to wreck it so I didn't try overly hard. Also my drivers door can be hard to open from the outside, any ideas what this is?

You only need to check the water in the top tank on your left if you're standing at the engine bay. It should be half way full (level with the seam). The other plug on the radiator should be left alone. For future servicing, if the plug in the top of the radiator is plastic, I highly recommend having it changed for a brass metal one. There have been many cases of the plastic plug failing and leaking all the radiator water out.... very bad. There are actually 2 plastic plugs that can be replaced at next service and should be very cheap. Easy enough to do yourself too, but be warned, you WILL spill some radiator coolant and it's toxic.

The door handle can be adjusted, but requires the inside door trim to be removed. I'm not sure how to explain the exact procedure! If it's still working, perhaps just have it adjusted next time it's serviced?

Thanks, I'll look into changing the plugs. Is there instructions or a video or something that would explain how to adjust the door? I should have stated that I don't take my car to service dealers. Apart from RWC to register it to me and wheel alignment my neighbour did everything. He's pretty busy now and I don't want to put him out and want to learn to do it myself, so I joined this site.

I have to suggest that if you are not a member of your motoring assistance body eg NRMA, you should join.
IMHO unless you are an amazon, it would be very difficult for a woman of normal stature to lift the 23-25Kg spare wheel off the back , and also lift it onto the hub to change a wheel.
It taxes me and I am 188CM and 115 Kg of rippling muscle.
Also if anyone with a rattle gun has been near your wheels , you probably cannot get the nuts off.
Or you could play "Damsel in distress" and someone will undoubtedly help..
Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by discoveryfamily

Thanks, I'll look into changing the plugs. Is there instructions or a video or something that would explain how to adjust the door? I should have stated that I don't take my car to service dealers. Apart from RWC to register it to me and wheel alignment my neighbour did everything. He's pretty busy now and I don't want to put him out and want to learn to do it myself, so I joined this site.

Always good to hear from another DIY'er!

Try these for the door handle:

Not bad: OkieRover.com

Excellent photos: http://www.discoweb.org/doorhandle.htm

Someone else on the forums with the same issue: http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-...djustment.html

Just remember, whatever you're trying to fix, there's a 99.9% chance someone else has already had the problem and posted how to fix it on the internet! Also about a 99% chance that someone on these forums has posted about it. Searching the forums and google will usually turn up what you need.

All else fails, post back here with photos, or start a thread in the Discovery 1 section or maybe the Technical section.

Originally Posted by PhilipA

I have to suggest that if you are not a member of your motoring assistance body eg NRMA, you should join.
IMHO unless you are an amazon, it would be very difficult for a woman of normal stature to lift the 23-25Kg spare wheel off the back , and also lift it onto the hub to change a wheel.
It taxes me and I am 188CM and 115 Kg of rippling muscle.
Also if anyone with a rattle gun has been near your wheels , you probably cannot get the nuts off.
Or you could play "Damsel in distress" and someone will undoubtedly help..
Regards Philip A

I'm 182cms, 65kgs with little to no muscles and I can change a tyre. You must be donig it wrong.