Hey guys,

I have a question regarding some prep before a long journey. I am thinking of going on a trip which will cover about 3000 miles on 1st of May, the day is set. The car is Bravo 1.4 140. It was a family car, but now I solely drive it.

The MOT is in April. So this is covered.

The service was last done in July 2016 at 62000. Front tyres changed, the usual fluids and filters + front brake pads. Today the car is at 66000, before May it will probably be at 66500 (Don't drive a lot).

So I think my question is...do I need I need to get it checked some time in April, mid year service sort of thing?

Tips and advice appreciated!

P.S. Its a trip around europe, I have got all the side gear sorted :slayer: Just want to make sure the car is sweet for the journey ahead.

I'd just check all the levels and make sure the tyres are OK. Doing a service just before travel could introduce an issue. With a year of running you know the last service didn't make any mistakes. You say you have "side gear sorted" I take it this include headlight deflectors, triangle, fire extinguisher and country specific bits? Frnce has some strang requirements like you have to carry a alcohol breath test device (they recommend two) and they don't like any kind of speed trap detector including camera warnings on a GPS. If your GPS has speed camera warnings take them off before going to France.

Robert G8RPI.

All of that + reflective vests, spare bulbs, med kit, the breath test on the spot fines have been stopped as I guess it caused a lot of issues. I did get 2 just in case. I also ordered the paris vignette for air pollution that they have just put in.

In terms of sat nav, I will be using my phone and it has got speed camera warnings for the ones that are set, but in case sugar hits the fan, I will take it from the dash and into my pocket .

In terms of levels, run me through, which ones would i need to check/ top up?

Check oil, water, screen wash (carry some screen wash with you as you'll probably need a top up during your 3k miles), check the brake fluid especially if you've recently had new pads. Check tire pressures, might want to add a few PSI if doing lots of 130kph driving. You also need to phone your insurance company and get a green card and make sure you're covered fully comp for driving abroad. And you'll need to print out your driver record from the DVLA site before you go in case you're asked to provide it.

Most of the motorways in France are toll roads so carry some euros in the car, it's surprisingly expensive.

Hi,
Just the usual checks
Coolant
Oil
Screenwash
Brake fluid (and clutch if separate)
Have a look in you owners handbook for what and how to check.

Robert G8RPI.

Make sure you've break down assistance

jimboy said:

Make sure you've break down assistance

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Yes yes, EU cover plus assist, wont be taking any chances

AndyRKett said:

You also need to phone your insurance company and get a green card and make sure you're covered fully comp for driving abroad.

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You haven't needed a Green Card to drive in EU member states for several years. It's a legal requirement that all motor policies issued in any EU member state covers you for third party risks in all other EU member states.
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Davren said:

You haven't needed a Green Card to drive in EU member states for several years. It's a legal requirement that all motor policies issued in any EU member state covers you for third party risks in all other EU member states.

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You don't need the green card but most insurance companies require you to notify them if going abroad and yes they will cover you third party but if you want fully comprehensive cover then you need to make sure this is added. They also will automatically issue you with a green card (both our car insurance companies do this) though not legally required, it's a lot easier than having an argument with a police officer on the side of the road that your insurance is valid showing them an insurance cover note in a language they can't read.
If you have a green card there is no need for any further discussion.

What ever the case you need to be able to prove you have valid insurance, a green card is the easiest way to do it.

The levels checks are the same ones you do every week.

D

My suggestion, Remove old oil and add new oil and filter before starting journey and have oil can handy with 1 liter or more oil along with coolant and distilled water.

New oil means smoother drive and no worries for the entire trip.

Agreed, new oil and filter. No matter what manufacturers pretend about the efficacy of synthetic oils they still deteriorate. Be like an American and change the oil and filter every six months, failing that never let the change go longer than a year. That way the engine will go on for ages.

Coolant, bug wipes for the screen, it's summer, and brake fluid, just in case of a small leak.

I'd put those new tyres on the back too, new ones shouldn't go on the front.

Hi,
The reasoning behind NOT changing the oil is to prevent the introduction of faults caused by disturbed systems or servicing errors. I've never had a leak from an oil filter, drain plug, dipstick or filler cap or found wrong grade oil was used half way between services, but have had all five including wrong oil and loose filler twice each (with different cars and garages) within a thousand miles of a service. There is also the possibility of disturbed electrics or belts.
Even if you ran the whole 3000 miles over the oil change interval it is highly unlikely to cause a breakdown. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Robert G8RPI.

That logic suggests avoiding changing the oil. Get someone reputable to do it and there's no problem.

However, I wouldn't do anything to the car the day before setting off, just in case. Leave a couple if weeks. Just like packing really - nothing last minute.

If it were my car and a daily driver, I'd just check all fluids (as said, weekly checks), tyres and such, load up a few tools, spares and fluids and go.

That said, I know the state of my car and drive 2,000 km per month minimum, with the occasional "1,000 km in one day" trip.

Europe is a big place and what you need depends on where you're going, mostly motorway in France and Germany? Hot countries like Italy or Spain? Baltic states and north where there may still be snow?

Regardless, I'd take fresh new bottles of all fluids - oil, coolant, brake fluid and whatever your power steering system requires, ditto for atuomatic gearboxes. Those last two are bolded because they tend to be a little esoteric and you may not be able to find them easily. Having a bottle can make the difference between being able to continue your journey despite a small leak or spending the night/weekend on a garage forecourt. Try finding LHM for a Citroen at 3am in eastern Germany, for example.

Check all the local laws regarding tyres, as well as safety equipment, though I think you're clear of all the winter tyre laws by May.

If I were headed somewhere hot, I'd want to be sure the cooling system was in good shape.

As for oil, if more than half the trip was beyond the normal oil change interval, I'd do it beforehand, but you do have a bit of margin.

Spares/tools I'd take:

Socket set
Bag of spanners, screwdrivers, pliers and such
Wheelbrace and jack
Some way to inflate a tyre
5l Oil
5l Coolant
500ml Brake fluid
1l Power steering

If petrol, the last set of spark plugs and leads removed from the car (known good, if a bit tired).

A MAP I've had GPS/phone sucessfully guide us all over eastern europe, but the same unit failed without reason or warning the next year in Spain, so take a map


Edit: just noticed you've mentioned Paris and 1st May, don't forget that France shuts on the 1st and 8th of May, so expect traffic chaos in big places and that everything not tourist related will be closed on those days.

g8rpi said:

Frnce has some strang requirements like you have to carry a alcohol breath test device (they recommend two)

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Did they not scrap the fines for not carrying your own breathalsyer? I would say this is now more of a precaution than a requirement.

If you are going through different countries that will be a different matter altogether.

chips1 said:

Did they not scrap the fines for not carrying your own breathalsyer? I would say this is now more of a precaution than a requirement.

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I have never been asked to show that I have one and I get stopped fairly often.

Then again, the Gendarmes have never asked to see that I have a triangle or visi-vest either.

I'd carry one just in case.

chips1 said:

Did they not scrap the fines for not carrying your own breathalsyer? I would say this is now more of a precaution than a requirement.

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It used to be a fine of €11 (EUR) for not having one, but as you say, it was scrapped. Probably because the administration cost for collecting it was more than the cost of the fine.

It's still a legal requirement to carry one in a car though. Strange French idea..... pass legislation, but there's no penalty if you don't comply with it.
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Is there a requirement to take spare bulbs too? I know there used to be.

JCarp16 said:

Is there a requirement to take spare bulbs too? I know there used to be.

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It's not compulsory to carry spare bulbs in France, but probably a good idea to have them anyway.
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