Driving in Death Valley

xeroshero

Hi,

My parenst are going the America in June. They want to drive through the Grand Canyon, they have a car hired from Hertz but they think that the insurance doesn't cover Death Valley? Anyone been there/done it? My Dad is going to contact Hertz however just wondering if any of you (great) peopel ahve any ideas?

Thanks

MCMLXXXIII

I've done it

...and never even thought about the insurance.

It would be smart to ask, but I suppose it depends on what happens.

Some tips:
-Get gas (petrol) as you enter, because there is nothing until you are out. By nothing I mean a camp site and a National Park Ranger Station are the only two things to stop at.
-The shortest distance driving through from one end to the other (East/West) is 50 miles. Going the long way (North/South) is well over 100 miles.
-Turn off the air con. If you don't, the freon will start flowing into the car and it will be about $400 to repair (which I KNOW insurance does not cover).
-Dress lightly and keep the windows open and the wind blowing in - Average summer day temperature gets to 120F (49C) and 70F (21C) at night.

Are they staying there, or just driving through?
I'm pretty sure it's faster to go around (the way the roads are), but it's kinda cool to see.

xeroshero

Thanks for that... All noted! Ah sorry, the freon? (How does that affect the car there more than other places?) I was sure the best thing to do would be wack in the air con at full!

Thanks again, appreciate the input

rossie1977

not really much to add from previous poster just to say that above a certain temperature they stop letting people into the park, i think it may be 120F but i am not sure on that. June could be a very warm, just looking at the temperature for the next few days, Sunday is forecast to hit 40C or 105F

Alot of Death Valley is very low lying, some of the park is below sea-level, flash flooding in the mojave desert especially around June or July does happen so be vigilant, a simple thundershower could turn into a flash flood in minutes

drag0n79

xeroshero wrote: »

Hi,

My parenst are going the America in June. They want to drive through the Grand Canyon, they have a car hired from Hertz but they think that the insurance doesn't cover Death Valley? Anyone been there/done it? My Dad is going to contact Hertz however just wondering if any of you (great) peopel ahve any ideas?

Thanks

Hey - not too clear on what you mean, are they travelling to both the Grand Canyon and to Death Valley?

xeroshero

Sorry, that was a typo, that should read Death Valley (not grand canyon!)#

Thanks for all the help!

joolsveer

I found this advice on driving in Death Valley. URL http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_national_park/ca/hik2_dv.htm

Driving in the Heat

Rumor has it that car manufacturers test the heat capabilities of their new vehicles by putting them through the paces at Death Valley. But you're not testing anything; you're just trying to get in, and get out and have a good time doing it. Here are some pointers. . .

Going uphill and when the car slows down, to avoid heating the engine shift to a lower gear. Going down hill continue in low gear so the car does not speed up, thereby not using the brakes as much ( this prevents your brakes from burning out). As you drive towards Death Valley on Highway 190, as approaching the Saline Valley turn off sign on the right side of the highway turn off your air conditioner. This is important to prevent your engine from overheating. When you reach the summit at 5000 ft and start down the grade, you can turn on the air conditioner. When you leave Panamint Springs Resort and travel east across Panamint Valley; midway there is a sign on the right side of the highway that reads "Turn Off Your Air Conditioner." As you pass the summit, Towns Pass, 4963 ft and start down the grade you can turn on your air conditioner.

These instructions also apply for the grade going to Beatty, Nevada. Carry one gallon of water per person. If you have car problems and stop— do not leave your car. The highway is patrolled by officers.

drag0n79

xeroshero wrote: »

Sorry, that was a typo, that should read Death Valley (not grand canyon!)#

Thanks for all the help!

But if they are anywhere at all near it, I can't recommend the Grand Canyon enough. If they are in Vegas, it's a 5-hour drive away. Or a quick helicopter trip.

xeroshero

Ok, just to give an outline, they are flying to SF, meeting relations there, spending a few days, they are then heading to other relations in L.A. BUT they are not going direct SF to LA, they want to "see the sights" as such.

They are planning on heading slightly East (from SF) to Yosemite, then basically heading to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, preferably via Death Valley. If the insurance does not cover driving through Death Valley, it means alot more driving (ie. Going AROUND <probably North of> Death Valley) Then from the Grand Canyon to L.A.....

MCMLXXXIII

Well first, I think it's faster to go around anyway. It's longer, but as I recall, there are no mileage limits when you rent cars there. It's longer but faster because you are on a motorway instead of a 2-lane road.

The Grand Canyon is just South of Death Valley, so they should go while they are there. Also, Yosemite is a really nice park. There is some really good hiking, and some great photo opportunities.

Joolsveer summed it up - air con will overheat your engine and ruin the freon (the stuff that refridgerates the air), so you will need new air con (anywhere from $400-$600 depending on car) and new coolant fluid for your engine (about $200)...which is probably why insurance might not cover cars in Death Valley.

Also, rossie1977 hit it - watch out for floods. It rarely rains, but when it does...get ready. Hiking through Yosemite is usually near the rivers, and the water rises at least 10 feet as soon as 30 minutes after a rain. Just be careful.

How long are your parents staying? I was out there for a month It is a great place to see something new...and even though it's fun, it makes you appreciate trees, shrubbery, even grass.

dave2pvd

MCMLXXXIII wrote: »

........as I recall, there are no mileage limits when you rent cars there.

This depends on what company you rent from. Confirm it before you turn up at the rental location. You should be fine with Hertz.

MCMLXXXIII wrote: »

....air con will overheat your engine and ruin the freon (the stuff that refridgerates the air), so you will need new air con (anywhere from $400-$600 depending on car) and new coolant fluid for your engine (about $200)...which is probably why insurance might not cover cars in Death Valley.

MCMLXXXIII wrote: »

Turn off the air con. If you don't, the freon will start flowing into the car and it will be about $400 to repair

Look, freon will not suddenly start flowing into the car. And where do all these repair costs come from??

Just be sensible, watch the temperature gauge. If things start getting hot, turn off the a/c.

A word or two of advice: do not drive through Death Valley in the middle of the day. Especially when sunrise and sunset are so spectacular there.

MCMLXXXIII

dave2pvd wrote: »

...Look, freon will not suddenly start flowing into the car. And where do all these repair costs come from??

Just be sensible, watch the temperature gauge. If things start getting hot, turn off the a/c.

A word or two of advice: do not drive through Death Valley in the middle of the day. Especially when sunrise and sunset are so spectacular there.

:mad: I've had to pay these repair costs before. They were not from driving through the desert, but it ws the same thing. But you are right, the freon just goes everywhere...and the air coming into the car comes out with a white powder, which was caused by the breakdown of the freon (at least it did in my car). The cost comes because air con is a sealed system, so you can't just fix it yourself. A garage is expensive, the fluids are expensive, and the labour is expensive. Just hope that you win big in Vegas...

If you are driving during the day, it could be nice if you were going West to East. You can watch the sunrise from one side, drive to the other, and then watch the sunset. Best of both worlds...in the same day!

But yeah - just be sensible.