Taking an A110 to the Continent

[Gatsods]

Evening all,

Heading to France with the car on Wednesday night for a few days around Normandy including a quick stop at Dieppe at some point! Wondering what if anything much people do to prepare for driving in Europe.

Having had a look online clearly there are a few pieces to buy and have in the car so those are under control, just curious if there are any other words of wisdom!

[Gatsods]

....and having said the purchases were under control... one question!

Beam deflectors - needed on an A110 or is there some manual adjustment which can get the same result without glueing something to the headlamp lens?

[Slyjoe]

I was told the beams are flat: no need for deflectors.

[Miserablegit]

I’d take a jump start pack- one of those lipo ones but otherwise just make sure you have recovery cover.

I’m currently in Le Mans - Lotus owner in the group got a puncture and is goosed- having to wait until Wednesday to get a replacement tyre . Would be the same on any modern car without a spare.

[LGC-Adams]

Somewhere on here , or in A110 Facebook is a reference to these.
Handy in a CRISIS situation, with a pump, and may keep you moving...

https://www.servicebest.com/en/product/benson-car-...

Edited by LGC-Adams on Sunday 11th June 21:47

Edited by LGC-Adams on Sunday 11th June 21:50

Edited by LGC-Adams on Sunday 11th June 21:51

[CliveJ7]

One useful feature which i guess is common to most digital displays is the ability to change the speedo to KPH.
It's easy to do and is in the handbook.
It only changes the speedo, but makes things a bit more relaxed when approaching those pesky, and numerous, French speed cameras...!

Also, if you're going on the ferry, you might prefer to lock the car without setting the alarm.
Again easy to do. Let me know if you're unsure.

Enjoy your trip!

[Gatsods]

Saw about the MPH to KPH conversion when checking the handbook last night, thanks, seems nice and easy. Tips to alter the alarm settings would be entirely welcomed!

Also looking for more feedback/confirmation re the headlights or "beam deflectors" as they are now known. I'd really rather avoid sticking those to the headlight lenses where I can possibly avoid it... thinking of taking a pack with me in the car and pleading short term memory loss if I get pulled for it.

Is there any further opinion/confirmation as to whether they are needed please?

Thanks all for feedback so far!

[johnnyreggae]

It seems to me every time someone asks either here or on the fb group one person says needed and another says not without any categoric answer either way - if you are not likely to drive mostly at night don't worry about it

[essexstu]

if driving in France you need the warning triangle and hi-viz jackets. you need one jacket per passenger and they are to be kept inside the cabin not the boot.

I always take a battery jump starter just in case of a flat, the Noco Boost is recommended

[85Carrera]

Miserablegit said:

I’d take a jump start pack- one of those lipo ones but otherwise just make sure you have recovery cover.

I’m currently in Le Mans - Lotus owner in the group got a puncture and is goosed- having to wait until Wednesday to get a replacement tyre . Would be the same on any modern car without a spare.

Probably worth taking one of these for a short term puncture fix

https://www.holtsauto.com/holts/products/tyreweld/

[erics]

source a spare fuel pump before leaving maybe?

[CliveJ7]

Gatsods said:

Saw about the MPH to KPH conversion when checking the handbook last night, thanks, seems nice and easy. Tips to alter the alarm settings would be entirely welcomed!

As far as I know (and it worked for me on the recent Dieppe trip), this is the procedure:

1) You first of all open the driver's door, then
2) Making sure you have the remote in your pocket not in the car, press the central locking key AND KEEP IT PRESSED until it locks for a second time and the light flashes briefly. If yours has auto-folding mirrors they will fold to show you.

That should lock the car without setting the alarm/immobiliser and disables the anti-tilt - I suggest you try it out before you go, for peace of mind...!

PS I have mine programmed to use the push buttons on the doors, so this is the routine. I've no idea if it's any different if yours is set to use the buttons on the fob!

Edited by CliveJ7 on Monday 12th June 18:44

[Gatsods]

Thank you for the tip, I will give that a try tomorrow in terms of the alarm, should be helpful.

Latest panic is now insurance.... I thought it was going to be straightforward to gain fully comp from a temporary cover website online, but that's not proving to be the case at all so far. All providers just flat out declining to offer cover.

I've got 3pts (2 years old) but no claims in the last 5 years. I'm not relishing the idea of taking the car without good cover... seems to be my age which is the issue annoyingly.

[Woody.GT]

CliveJ7 said:

Gatsods said:

Saw about the MPH to KPH conversion when checking the handbook last night, thanks, seems nice and easy. Tips to alter the alarm settings would be entirely welcomed!

As far as I know (and it worked for me on the recent Dieppe trip), this is the procedure:

1) You first of all open the driver's door, then
2) Making sure you have the remote in your pocket not in the car, press the central locking key AND KEEP IT PRESSED until it locks for a second time and the light flashes briefly. If yours has auto-folding mirrors they will fold to show you.

That should lock the car without setting the alarm/immobiliser and disables the anti-tilt - I suggest you try it out before you go, for peace of mind...!

PS I have mine programmed to use the push buttons on the doors, so this is the routine. I've no idea if it's any different if yours is set to use the buttons on the fob!

Edited by CliveJ7 on Monday 12th June 18:44

Following this, I leave the dog in the car (no not when its hot!) and was shown that with doors closed, if you hold the lock button on remote down for a few seconds the alarm will beep 3 times. This allows movement inside without setting off alarm. Haven't tried opening the doors yet to test if alarm sounds but it covers my need for movement inside car while doors locked. Follow same routine to unlock.

[Gatsods]

Good tip for the alarm - sure enough no alarms on either ferry direction! Happy to report I'm back and home in one piece after a great 939 miles - only a short one.

Road Trip report to come on the specific thread for it when I get a minute!

[Simon Owen]

I know somebody else suggested this, and it is a bit overkill but taking a spare fuel pump might be a good idea

Well it would be if they were not so flipping expensive.

This sounds a ridiculous thing to do but we too have a 10 day European Tour in Sept, if the car let me down we'd be throwing £1,000's down the drain on something we have planned for over 12 months. If a spare pump was sensible money I would probably have one in my boot by now !!!!

[Simon Owen]

Interesting I see that there is an 'upgrade' available for 600 euros but fitting doesn't sound 100% straightforward ?

[Terminator X]

erics said:

source a spare fuel pump before leaving maybe?

Savage!

TX.

[Miserablegit]

Simon Owen said:

Interesting I see that there is an 'upgrade' available for 600 euros but fitting doesn't sound 100% straightforward ?

Fitting might be straightforward but, apparently, it also requires some injector recoding according to another poster

[Debbiesd]

Woody.GT said:

Following this, I leave the dog in the car (no not when its hot!) and was shown that with doors closed, if you hold the lock button on remote down for a few seconds the alarm will beep 3 times. This allows movement inside without setting off alarm. Haven't tried opening the doors yet to test if alarm sounds but it covers my need for movement inside car while doors locked. Follow same routine to unlock.

Good work, glad I’m not the only one that takes my dog out in the car(in a harness) she loves the front seat 👍