05 Kia Sedona - prepping for Alaska trip

[josetann]

Bought a 2005 Kia Sedona with just over 60,000 miles on it. No service records. Autocheck indicated that it was a repo, so I have to assume that the 60,000 mile service was not done.

Basically, I need to know what needs to be done to get it ready for an over 4,000 mile trip to Anchorage, Alaska; regular driving for 3-5 months (city driving at least three days a week, plus seeing the sights on the days off); and another over 4,000 mile trip back home. Here's where I am right now:

- Oil change using 10w30 synthetic oil.

- Attempted transmission fluid change, probably got a little under half actually changed out with synthetic fluid (with the proper specs). Fluid looked like dark motor oil prior to change.

- Most of the power steering fluid has been changed out with synthetic transmission fluid used above (long story, but I unplugged the wrong line, it looked and smelled like transmission fluid...so I put transmission fluid back in).

- Four new Michelin Hydroedge tires. Spare has a small chunk missing from the side, but was the best tire left over, and it did last a few hundred miles for me so far.

Things I plan on doing:

- Check brakes

- Replace alternator. I read somewhere here that there was an updated alternator available, was that just for the 02-03 model year? Do all the 05s use the same alternator? May keep the old alternator as a spare.

- Replace belt. Keep old belt as a spare.

Things I might do if I have time:

- Replace brake fluid

- Get a block heater

- Get a backup thermostat rated for colder weather

I'm debating whether I should replace the oil before I leave or once I get there. If I just wait until I get there, I can go ahead and switch to 5w30, and the next oil change will probably be due about the time I make it back home.

So, what am I forgetting? Any must-do things for the 60k mile service that I've missed? Anything else one should do to get it ready for the long drive up and the possibly brutal (and cold) drive back?

Thanks!

[bcsparks4]

Well it's been awhile but I was in Fairbanks for a couple years. Untill September it's like Colorado, after that- hoses and belts need to be rubber, not synthetic (they may shatter at -35-50 deg. F) an interior warmer heater (leather/vinyl will split,dash cracks,older sterring wheels cracked) mounts under dash, battery hot plate or blanket ( or you have to bring battery in the house) I had a V8-used a "purculator" type heater to circulate heated water thru engine which in turn heats oil, also had a 4 cyl-used a "can" heater in lower radiator. your vehicle will NOT start if not plugged in. I put a 4x4 outlet in the engine compartment, routed cords to it, ran the cord to the grille, fastened with wire there, carried an extention cord to connect from car plug to where I was plugging in, also use some kind of indicator light (110 volt) that you can see from indoors so you can tell you are getting power to car, some people used a small xmas tree lt. set. also the whwwl bearing grease should be a lighter weight, I saw more than one car going by with one wheel "stationary", once you get some friction going on wheels turn ok. once you get set up its not a hassle, vehicles are a priority in the winter, I should mention anchorage does not get as cold as fairbanks, I saw a minus 72 deg. one time, usually -10 to -35, keep in mind-very dry cold, little wind, the colder it gets-the stiller it is, much better than N.D. at -10 with a 30 mph wind (chill factor) if you wait till you get there the process will be easier, but more expensive. It is truly beautiful-pristeen, you won't forget it. maybe the "ALCAN" highway is paved now, then you could count on a cracked windshield from rocks, and you had to have certain things "onboard" or they would not let you enter. Regards from a sourdough to a chichaco