Driving tips for Italy anyone...?
Discussion
In my neck of the woods (I have a house near Milan), either mid-range Alfas or Fiats, so really hard to distinguish from the general population, except that they are genuinely unmarked i.e. not dented or scratched, unlike almost every Italian car. They also use confiscated cars - from criminals and tax evaders, so no hard and fast rule.
Rules? Not many in evidence.
They do random road blocks, so have your papers with you at all times. Personal ID, car's V5 and insurance document.
Be at most the second fastest person on the autostrada. I have often given my Panamera its legs on the autostrada and still been overtaken by a fleet of Mercs and Audis.
Where you see signs for "Tutor", that is their average speed system.
Do not speed in built up areas. Speed cameras often come in twos or threes - near me, they are orange and look like dustbins. The locals obligingly spray paint the lenses most of the time.
Generally, the Italian police don't seem to mind speeding on wide open roads, but get very intolerant if you risk mowing down a child or old person.
HTH
Peter
Rules? Not many in evidence.
They do random road blocks, so have your papers with you at all times. Personal ID, car's V5 and insurance document.
Be at most the second fastest person on the autostrada. I have often given my Panamera its legs on the autostrada and still been overtaken by a fleet of Mercs and Audis.
Where you see signs for "Tutor", that is their average speed system.
Do not speed in built up areas. Speed cameras often come in twos or threes - near me, they are orange and look like dustbins. The locals obligingly spray paint the lenses most of the time.
Generally, the Italian police don't seem to mind speeding on wide open roads, but get very intolerant if you risk mowing down a child or old person.
HTH
Peter
I've never noticed unmarked police cars where I've driven. Plenty of liveried Carabinieri and Polizia in most areas driving Alfas or Fiats. Lots of Gatso-type cameras on the autostradas but there were usually warning signs 500m or so before them.
I've driven in a few different areas, from Trieste to Palermo. Tuscany was pretty nice, Sicily had some "interesting" roads. Usually it all goes to s
t in the towns and Naples was by far the worst place I ever experienced for driving standards, or lack of them. I think the Maltese learned from Naples drivers!
I've driven in a few different areas, from Trieste to Palermo. Tuscany was pretty nice, Sicily had some "interesting" roads. Usually it all goes to s
t in the towns and Naples was by far the worst place I ever experienced for driving standards, or lack of them. I think the Maltese learned from Naples drivers!Most has been said already. The driving style is very civilised but expect people to overtake you even there is a double line in the middle of the road. Also be careful when entering a one-way street in a town as you will find mopeds and bikes (and even sometimes cars) going in the 'wrong' direction. One important thing to watch out are the ZTL zones in town centres. Avoid them because the cameras will catch you and you'll end up with an expensive fine. However, some will operate only during certain times of the day and certain days, and this is clearly marked.
Enjoy!
George
Enjoy!
George
I've never had any encounters with the Police when driving there. I don't exceed 140 km/h much on the motorway. On other roads I work out what the locals are doing. They often seem to treat the number on the sign as MPH.
If you like higher octane fuel, try to buy it on the way. 98 can be less easy to find and expensive.
If you like higher octane fuel, try to buy it on the way. 98 can be less easy to find and expensive.
DCerebrate said:
Got a tank of 100 Octane fuel in Italy for our VW Touran 1.4TSI - it was as sick as a dog. Power fell away on the autostrada. Only picked up when we managed to get some more 95 octane fuel added. Don't really understand the technical issue but 'more isn't always better'.
Are you sure it was 100 octane? It is super-rare. I think you might have been had. I'm sure that is what was advertised but probably not what you got. Equally, your ECU might not have been able to adjust for the strength but most new ones have quite a tolerance.Generally, Italian Super Senza Pb is around 91 and they also have some stuff which has added ethanol at a stated 95 or thereabouts - but avoid putting it into older cars where the fuel lines can rot.
Decent quality fuel is not really found in Italy. Yet they rejoice in two grades of diesel, which great news for my boiler.
Not that I'm advocating storing fuel at home but "a friend" tells me that if you know somebody who is a private pilot, you can be got onto an airfield and pick up higher octane aviation fuels retail to mix in with the cr*p they sell you on the forecourt.
You can trust the Italians to solve all problems except how to run the blessed country!
P
DCerebrate said:
Got a tank of 100 Octane fuel in Italy for our VW Touran 1.4TSI - it was as sick as a dog. Power fell away on the autostrada. Only picked up when we managed to get some more 95 octane fuel added. Don't really understand the technical issue but 'more isn't always better'.
Knock sensor trying either to advance or retire your engine timing, but on a car like that its a waste of money, and no offence with the words "A Car like that"
Proper 100 Octane has become increasingly rare - almost unobtainable but AGIP or Shell motorway service stations can stock.
Some of the service station shops sell octane boost but don't think it's cat compatible - if you're driving a classic no probs.
As for driving over the speed limit nowadays almost the same as here BUT be aware those exceeding by large margins are likely to have cars and driving licences confiscated. One year pre-F1 at Monza we came across a hit squad near Lago di Garda specifically tasked with catching (presumably) German and Austrian drivers coming down from the Brenner Pass. Cars were run-of-the-mill Fiats and Alfas plus a Lambo!
If time allows take the scenic route rather than Autostrade.
On our most recent trip (better half's birthday) we took in a factory tour of the Pagani factory (pre-booked) and then the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena. Both interesting though Pagani a bit general, whilst EFM we felt was more interesting than Maranello.
BTW she enjoyed both and we had an excellent lunch at the Trattoria Via Ferrari between the EFM and main railway station.
Be aware EFM is easily within walking distance of the station but Pagani factory requires a €35 each way taxi ride - just in case you don't have a car at that point
HTH.
Enjoy, Pewe
Some of the service station shops sell octane boost but don't think it's cat compatible - if you're driving a classic no probs.
As for driving over the speed limit nowadays almost the same as here BUT be aware those exceeding by large margins are likely to have cars and driving licences confiscated. One year pre-F1 at Monza we came across a hit squad near Lago di Garda specifically tasked with catching (presumably) German and Austrian drivers coming down from the Brenner Pass. Cars were run-of-the-mill Fiats and Alfas plus a Lambo!
If time allows take the scenic route rather than Autostrade.
On our most recent trip (better half's birthday) we took in a factory tour of the Pagani factory (pre-booked) and then the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena. Both interesting though Pagani a bit general, whilst EFM we felt was more interesting than Maranello.
BTW she enjoyed both and we had an excellent lunch at the Trattoria Via Ferrari between the EFM and main railway station.
Be aware EFM is easily within walking distance of the station but Pagani factory requires a €35 each way taxi ride - just in case you don't have a car at that point
HTH.
Enjoy, Pewe
Was driving there last year in a hire car, and all as above. Had no real issues other than toll fines (no option to get a ticket when joining, then charge you 80 odd Euro when you turn up at the next barrier..) which can become expensive.
Question though - I've just got a random letter in asking me for a fine of just over 10 Euro's for a driving fine - this was 15 months ago - can I just ignore it, as I doubt they'd really proceed with an international claim for 10 Euro's.? Feels a bit scammy too.
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