Latin America Collection

If you are driving a new car, you should't have any problems. Just
change your oil and you are nearly ready--except for one important detail.
Go to the trunk of your car and look at the spare tire. If it is one of those
little "doughnuts", go to an auto wrecker and pick up a full size wheel. Be
sure it is the same size as those on your car. Count the number of "lug holes"
in your spare, and be sure the wheel you are buying has the same number.
Then go to a tire shop and get a good spare tire. Whoever invented those
small tires should have four of them on his hearse. They are no earthly
good--especially in the middle of the Mexican desert.
If you plan to bring extra tires, it may be advisable to have them
mounted on spare wheels. One person that I talked to had four new spare
tires that were not mounted. He had no problems until he came to the
Department of Health checkpoint at the Costa Rican border. There, they
confiscated the tires. There is a law in Costa Rica that all tires must be
mounted on a wheel or rim. The reason is that water can collect in the tires,
and will become a breeding place for mosquitoes. One man got through
who had blown-up tubes in his tires. This man with the four tires was given
three days to get the tires mounted on wheels. There was a convenient garage
near-by which sold wheels, and that would mount the tires for him. Of
course, this would be costly. We may not understand or agree with this law,
but in their country, their laws prevail.

Get a grease job on your car. Be sure they check all of the fluid levels
and your wheel bearings. Also have them check all of your belts and hoses.
Some people suggest that you carry spares--but frankly, I would not know
how to replace them if I did have them. Of course, you could always find
a mechanic to replace them for you. Modern Mexico and Central America
have lots of good service stations and garages to help you. In fact, I have
driven in many areas of the United States that are far worse than Mexico
and Central America for car service.
A modern gas station and minimarket on the Pan-American Highway.
Replace worn tires, and be sure to check your brake pads. I suggest
that you go to the car dealer of your model, or a trustworthy auto parts
store, and buy one or two extra sets of good brake pads for your disc
brakes. The ones you buy in these countries are of poor quality. I had a
new pair of "local" brake pads wear out in a month. You can pay the brake
shop to install your new stateside brake pads for you.

One thing that wore out on my trip was my fuel filter. You will know
when it is bad. Your car will act like it is out of gas--even though your
fuel gauge says otherwise. They are inexpensive, so toss one in your trunk.
Even I can change one in about ten minutes. If you vehicle uses unleaded
fuel you may have to change the catalytic converter so your car can run on
regular. You can modify your car by simply taking off the catalytic converter
and replacing it with a straight piece of exhaust pipe. Ask a mechanic
about this.

Be sure you have an assortment of tools--vice grips, crescent wrenches
(3 sizes), small pry bar, hammer and two screw driver sets one regular and
one Phillips, both in large and small sizes, and an Allen wrench set. We have
provided you with a list of tools and possible car problems in Spainsh in
Chapter 3.