drivetofive

The Legend was driven ZERO miles today!

This is the first time that’s happened in a very long time (and this rental 2012 Mustang V6 I’m cruising around it just can’t compare).  As I enjoyed the fine scenery along Florida’s gulf coast today, I reflected on the fact that my Acura hasn’t always been pampered by weather as sublime as what I’m experiencing this weekend.  I live in what’s been called the hottest city in the United States.  The Phoenix area enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year and in turn also endures well over 100 days of 100+ degrees per year.

Any vehicle’s cooling system in Arizona is durability tested day in and day out.  For this reason, I’ve had my radiator changed for no reason at all and I’ve always used Honda/Acura fluids exclusively, including Honda brand “Type 2” coolant, which is unique in its blue color.

• I had a Koyo aftermarket radiator installed in 2005 at 169,155 miles.  The old one wasn’t leaking at the time.
• In 2006 at 237,592 miles, I had all 22 (yes, 22!) hoses in the cooling system changed out with new ones – “just because.”  At 12 years old, rubber can start to crack and wear, and the risk of a hose failure was enough reason for me to have Acura of Tempe install new ones.
• Then in 2008 at 328,092 miles, I had that Koyo radiator changed out for a Honda OEM part.  Again, “just because.”  A well maintained cooling system is the biggest key to success in operating an old Legend, as so many of these cars have fallen victim to head gasket failure due to overheating.
• Add to that a number of cooling system fluid flushes over the years.  I’ve always been a firm believer in preventative maintenance.

This Legend has seen the highs and lows of Mother Nature.  For two years, I attended undergraduate school at Utah State University in Logan, Utah.  The Legend endured temps into the well-below-negative range frequently.  I remember a day in particular at (-8) degrees Fahrenheit when the old car (then in 2004/2005 at around 180,000 miles) started up without fail.

Here are a few pictures I found of some of the various weather environments I’ve traveled in my trusty old Acura.

This was taken one winter up Blacksmith Fork Canyon.  Surefooted with the Traction Control System!

A little fun in the church parking lot, post-snowstorm.  E-braking has never been so much fun!

And then this – the ultimate winter beater.  I had to spend about 30 minutes digging the car out of a snow bank behind my house.  It was far from roadworthy when this picture was taken.  Logan, Utah had been hit with a huge blizzard the night before.  Even so, the Legend didn’t hesitate when I turned the key and cranked the motor the following morning.

Here’s a rainstorm on Interstate 8 in southern California in February 2005 with only 159,000 miles on the odometer.

Nothing finer than the fall colors in Logan Canyon in northern Utah.

And of course the seasons wouldn’t be rounded out without some extreme highs – such as what I experienced in this 2005 drive to Monument Valley in northeastern Arizona.

Or perhaps this picture taken at the Imperial Sand Dunes off Interstate 8 west of Yuma, Arizona just inside the California state line.

This entry was posted on October 23, 2011 at 12:35 am and is filed under Legend, Road Trip. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.