Since we have been driving across our country for a month, I want to address a few rumors. No, we are not sitting in the back of an air conditioned limousine with a driver, nor are we hauling a RV with comforts close at hand. We have been driving in a 1998 Malibu with no air conditioning across the USA in August. Lest you think that we are traveling in luxury, let me assure you, we are not!
There were elk and deer at our campsite at the Grand Canyon, walking around with no regard for us humans!
Over four years ago, when we first started planning this trip, we agreed that we needed to make our old cars last until we left. Jon had a 1997 Grand Am and I had the Malibu. Since the Malibu was in better shape, we agreed that it would be the vehicle we would drive across the USA on our road trip. Routine maintenance kept it running soundly, but time and weather has taken its toll on the outside. Rust spots surround the wheel wells and gas tank and the paint on the hood has faded with age. The air conditioning has not worked in six or seven years and the glove compartment has to be held closed with Velcro.
It was a tight squeeze to get all of our stuff in the Malibu, but it did all fit! Luckily, Jon is good at Tetrus 🙂
Despite the physical appearance, the Malibu runs smoothly and hasn’t given us any problems over the years. We made it driving across the prairies of the Midwest and over the Rocky Mountains. Toward the end of the trip, we finally ran into two separate problems with the car.
In northern Arizona, while driving on a two-lane road through the dessert, the power steering went out. Jon recognized it right away and we were able to drive another 10 miles into a city, straight into a gas station with a mechanic. We were lucky that this happened close to a city so that we were able to get help! The mechanic took a look and discovered that the power steering pump had cracked and needed to be replaced. While Jon rode with one of the employees to the automotive parts store to purchase a new one, I walked to a couple hotels to secure a room for the night. We knew that we wouldn’t be able to make it to the Grand Canyon on time to check in and set up, so we had decided to get a hotel room. The Malibu was fixed by 8pm, so we spent the rest of the evening watching tv and catching up on pictures and blogs in our hotel room.
Checking under the hood, finding out that the power steering pump was cracked.
In eastern Texas, while driving on the highway, we started hearing a flapping sound coming from the engine. Jon pulled onto the shoulder of the road and turned on his hazards. Under the hood, we found that the serpentine belt was fraying and a small piece had broken loose. We cut it off and continued slowly down the highway. It happened again, so we stopped and cut it off again. We then exited onto a service road and I started calling auto repair stores to see who was open; it was Sunday over Labor Day weekend so many places were closed. Luckily, there was one open who could fit us in same-day so we could still keep our schedule to arrive in Oklahoma on time.
The Malibu at a Firestone in Amarillo, Texas – waiting for a new serpentine belt.
After over 5,000 miles across the USA, the Malibu now deserves a rest. It’s parked happily in the shade at Jon’s parent’s house in Waurika, OK. We have handed over the title to his parents so that they can use the Malibu to run to the grocery store or bank in town and we know they will take good care of the car while we’re gone. Some days were hot and sticky and filled with frustration, but overall we are happy that we had the Malibu with us for the first leg of our big trip.