11 replies to this topic

[Richey]

So in June I'll be off to France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland in the Mini for 2 weeks.

 

I'm looking for advice with regards to what I should have done/looked at on the car before I go, and what I should take with me. It's a 95 Sidewalk, always been a good runner! I know lots of people have done similar things so any stories would be nice!

[cooperdan]

Service is obvious, sheck tyre treads, brake pads, lights etc.. take spare caps, rotor arm, duct tape, fuses, spark plugs.. probably other things which be mentioned relevant tools

oh revovery cover

[Tyred-and-emotional]

Check that your insurance and recovery company will cover you while you are on the continent. Also check your mobile phone for cover (I'm on Vodafone and can get a passport package which reduces the cost of calls and texts while abroad)

 

This link may be helpful to you... there are several info sections about driving overseas 

 

http://www.theaa.com...dvice/overseas/

 

 

Oh, and have fun! I would love to do something similar.

[IainStallard]

Sounds like the trip we are planning this summer!

[mab01uk]

Sanef, the French motorway operator has now extended its Liber-t automatic toll payment service to UK motorists.

"To use the service all you need to do is register online and we will send you a small electronic transponder (or tag) that you attach to your windscreen just behind the rear-view mirror. As you approach the barriers, a device by the barrier will read your transponder (or tag), securely extract your unique reference and then automatically open the barrier without you having to stop. You will receive an invoice the following month for your tolls and then around 15 days later we will automatically collect the payment in £ (GBP) from your bank account by direct debit from your UK bank account.

Once you have subscribed you will be sent a small Tag / Transponder and you must attach it to your windscreen."

https://www.saneftol...ow-does-it-work

 

If you are going by Eurotunnel you can also get a special offer on this:

https://www.saneftol...er-Landing-Page

[mab01uk]

The French Route Planner 'Mappy' is useful for working out routes, fuel and motorway toll costs:

http://en.mappy.com/itinerary_homepage

Edited by mab01uk, 15 April 2014 - 06:21 PM.

[(philip)]

Hey Richey, on the 18th May I'm driving down to Monaco to see the Grand Prix, about 10 days in total.

 

I've serviced the mini, new oil, filter etc. Bought some bulbs for the journey (you need spare bulbs, a red triangle, first aid kit and hi viz vest to drive in France).

 

I've got RAC breakdown cover which was a lot cheaper than the AA. Also told my insurance about the trip.

 

Apparently some service stations don't take UK credit/debit cards so making sure I've got some cash for fuel etc.

 

Probably something I will reflect on and wish I had done!

 

Have an amazing trip :)

[mab01uk]

Most French Motorways are toll roads, so at some point you will have to stop at an automatic booth to collect a ticket (difficult without a passenger in GB RH drive cars), then whenever you leave the motorway there are pay booths where you must hand in the ticket and pay for the distance travelled either by cash or credit card.
The motorways have many service and picnic areas unlike our motorways, those with petrol garages usually also do good food and sandwiches, etc whilst the picnic area type only have very basic toilets, etc.
French drivers are much more disciplined about use of motorway lanes than us and return to the inside lanes after overtaking, this means even the 2-lane motorways flow more freely than ours but then the traffic density is also less making for much more enjoyable journeys than in the UK. Due to the tolls actually being spent on the roads (no road tax in France!) most motorways also have few roadworks and very good surfaces.
To sum up I have found that although French drivers around town are often not as polite or careful as UK drivers (they have a higher fatal accident rate, don't stop at pedestrian crossings unless people are in the road and don't understand flashing headlights the way we use them) but they are better motorway drivers in many ways and I enjoy driving in France far more than the UK. French speed cameras are low down on the motorway barriers and well signposted as 'Radar' in advance. (80mph/130km in dry).

Don't have speed camera detection on your sat nav as France has big fines if found even if not in use....I think most sat navs like TomTom have a special setting now for France.

 

Many French drivers leave their outside indicator flashing while in the overtaking lane and also while waiting for a slower car to move over, works well and combined with good lane discipline allows their motorways to flow much more efficiently than ours do most of the time! They all drive too close and pull out with minmal warning but you will soon get used to that....no point getting angry because they all do it, heavy trucks included.

 

If you see motorway traffic ahead slowing or stopping use your hazard lights to give advance warning asap to following traffic which will not have much stopping distance....

 

If you see a yellow diamond sign with a black line across it side roads still have priority to join the main road (see signs link below) much less common in France than it used to be thankfully !!
Yellow diamond with no line means you have priority.
French Road Signs (scroll to bottom for Priority Signs):
http://www.alltravel.../Road_Signs.htm

When I first drove in France over 20 years ago, the cars joining many roundabouts still had priority over those already on the roundabout which mean't scary confusion for all other European drivers!!

Edited by mab01uk, 15 April 2014 - 06:51 PM.

[Richey]

Excellent, thanks everyone! I'll be booking her in for a big service before she goes. Some very helpful information here, especially about the toll roads.

[62S]

The vast majority of French filling stations do take UK debit and credit cards these days.

[Steely]

I wouldn't mind a road trip like this but first I have to concur the L2B run aha.

[Mini 360]

Sanef, the French motorway operator has now extended its Liber-t automatic toll payment service to UK motorists.

"To use the service all you need to do is register online and we will send you a small electronic transponder (or tag) that you attach to your windscreen just behind the rear-view mirror. As you approach the barriers, a device by the barrier will read your transponder (or tag), securely extract your unique reference and then automatically open the barrier without you having to stop. You will receive an invoice the following month for your tolls and then around 15 days later we will automatically collect the payment in £ (GBP) from your bank account by direct debit from your UK bank account.

Once you have subscribed you will be sent a small Tag / Transponder and you must attach it to your windscreen."

https://www.saneftol...ow-does-it-work

 

If you are going by Eurotunnel you can also get a special offer on this:

https://www.saneftol...er-Landing-Page

What an incredibly good and simple idea! Saves time and hassle of carrying large amounts of change.  French got it right.