Road trip checks
Discussion
Pardon my lazyness, but won't have access to my new (to me) 06 V8V until I leave for my European road trip so can't get hold of the manual!
1) How do I check the oil? Understand the dry sump procedure is a bit different to wet sump. If I need to top up, is Castrol Edge Sport 10W60 the way to go?
2) What's the recommended tire pressure on standard 19"? Or should I not bother checking as the V8V has tire pressure sensors?
Any other checks specific to the V8V worth doing?
1) How do I check the oil? Understand the dry sump procedure is a bit different to wet sump. If I need to top up, is Castrol Edge Sport 10W60 the way to go?
2) What's the recommended tire pressure on standard 19"? Or should I not bother checking as the V8V has tire pressure sensors?
Any other checks specific to the V8V worth doing?
Oil check from memory is:
From cold, start engine, run at 2000rpm for 20seconds, switch off, wait 30seconds then check.
It also tells you on the dry sump tank what the procedure is, main thing is it has to be cold.
Tyre pressures are (in old money
) 33psi front and 36psi rear
Enjoy your Euro road trip
Not jealous at all
From cold, start engine, run at 2000rpm for 20seconds, switch off, wait 30seconds then check.
It also tells you on the dry sump tank what the procedure is, main thing is it has to be cold.
Tyre pressures are (in old money
) 33psi front and 36psi rearEnjoy your Euro road trip
Not jealous at all
Shmee said:
I'm going to do this tonight, oil and pressures before 2,000 miles next week. Where are you going?
Luxembourg, visiting family. Not very far but it will be my 1st outing in the continent away from those pesky speed cameras! Oh and Luxembourg is next door to Germany and its Autobahns 
You can "flatten" the beam by flicking a lever inside the headlight. Sounds simple although it's a complete nightmare getting to it, removing front wheels etc.
I've done it a couple of times for continental trips and will be repeating again when I head to the Belgium Grand Prix in 4 weeks time.
I've done it a couple of times for continental trips and will be repeating again when I head to the Belgium Grand Prix in 4 weeks time.
Jockman said:
Do you need hivis vests etc ??
OP, I used this link when I drove abroad. Helpful tips on requirements for each European country. Sorry if you were already aware.http://www.drivingabroad.co.uk/
Highrisedrifter said:
OP, I used this link when I drove abroad. Helpful tips on requirements for each European country. Sorry if you were already aware.
http://www.drivingabroad.co.uk/
Excellent link HRD.http://www.drivingabroad.co.uk/
Do AMs come with First Aid Kits ?? If so where ?? Optional Extra ??
Shmee said:
I've driven abroad 21 times in the last 5 years, and not once have I dipped my lights, or used a GB sticker for that matter. I don't plan on starting now, just don't use main beam at night!
Same here on the beam deflectorsThough it is the dipped beam dipping the worng way that is the problem not the main beam
BTW DO NOT use the stick on deflectors, taking them off can delaminate the plastic over the headlights
My no plates have the GB sticker on the end.
Jockmans impromtu list is worth looking at (or maybe the AA site
) as it is a legal requirement on some EU countries to have a hi vis vest with in reach of the drive. Also in some countries if you do not have the V5 to prove you own the car they can impound it! mikey k said:
...it is a legal requirement on some EU countries to have a hi vis vest with in reach of the drive. Also in some countries if you do not have the V5 to prove you own the car they can impound it!
Yup. In Spain there must be a hivis EACH. If my parents do not have their ownership docs in the car and they are stopped then the police will take no prisoners. Their car is a LHD Spanish Grande Scenic.Interesting tale they told me about an expat in La Manga - stopped for speeding by La Guardia.
-That'll be 100 Euro (approx) fine please Senor.
- But I've got no money on me.
- Not our problem Senor. We will impound the car.
- Can you drive me to a cashpoint to get the money?
- No Senor.
- Can you ring me a taxi, then.
- Si Senor.
As soon as the expat went off in the taxi, they impounded the car anyway. He came back to an empty space on the side of the road.
Best be prepared and not mess with these people
Shmee said:
I put one into the secret compartment behind the passenger seat when I got my car (or do just Roadsters have that?)
Volantes have it too. It's not the easiest thing to get to though.It must be the smallest first aid kit ever. What is it, some plasters and a box of paracetamol?
George H said:
It must be the smallest first aid kit ever. What is it, some plasters and a box of paracetamol?
Pretty much just some plasters and a bandage; I'd bet that the time I need it though I'll forget it's even in there. I keep hi-vis jackets on the floor behind the front seats - debatable as to how to get that out on the hard-shoulder without getting out but I reckon with some interesting twisting and turning it is doable. At least this way they are always there and I don't need to remember to put them back for each trip.I do also have light things and a GB sticker down there but don't plan on ever using such things (obviously not the light things but I can wave them at a policeman)
For a European road trip, just looking at it from a legal persepective, you need the following
Paperwork: Full driving licence (i.e. both bits), V5, Insurance & theoretically in some countries, breakdown cover but I've never been asked to prove I have this
Other Things: hi vis jacket (in the car), warning triangle, 1st aid kit, spare bulbs, spare glasses if you use glasses to drive (that really is a legal requirement in some countries)
That pretty much covers every country. By the letter of the law, you do not need 2 warning triangles or hi vis vests for every occupant if you have a British registered car - the link someone posted above is not accurate in that respect as those rules only apply to cars registered in the country where the law applies
However you can't get out of the car in some countries if you don;t have a hi vis vest on so it makes sense to carry one for each occupant. The 1st aid kit & the bulb kit is never checked more than superficially at best
The warning triangle bit is more tricky - most cars come with one so if you are a 2 car household, makes sense to add one from your other car as whilst techinically it's not required, saves a whole heap of hassle if you have an argumentative policeman
A lot of people put their hi vis vest on the back shelf, viewable from outside, as sometimes the gendarmes have some fun stopping every car as they leave calais looking for the hi vis vest - if it's on the back shelf you won't be stopped
As has been mentioned above, most people don't bother with headlamp conversions these days as there is seldom much night driving anyway. The GB sticker is incorporated into most peoples' numberplates these days as a matter of course isn't it ?
Paperwork: Full driving licence (i.e. both bits), V5, Insurance & theoretically in some countries, breakdown cover but I've never been asked to prove I have this
Other Things: hi vis jacket (in the car), warning triangle, 1st aid kit, spare bulbs, spare glasses if you use glasses to drive (that really is a legal requirement in some countries)
That pretty much covers every country. By the letter of the law, you do not need 2 warning triangles or hi vis vests for every occupant if you have a British registered car - the link someone posted above is not accurate in that respect as those rules only apply to cars registered in the country where the law applies
However you can't get out of the car in some countries if you don;t have a hi vis vest on so it makes sense to carry one for each occupant. The 1st aid kit & the bulb kit is never checked more than superficially at best
The warning triangle bit is more tricky - most cars come with one so if you are a 2 car household, makes sense to add one from your other car as whilst techinically it's not required, saves a whole heap of hassle if you have an argumentative policeman
A lot of people put their hi vis vest on the back shelf, viewable from outside, as sometimes the gendarmes have some fun stopping every car as they leave calais looking for the hi vis vest - if it's on the back shelf you won't be stopped
As has been mentioned above, most people don't bother with headlamp conversions these days as there is seldom much night driving anyway. The GB sticker is incorporated into most peoples' numberplates these days as a matter of course isn't it ?
jonby said:
The GB sticker is incorporated into most peoples' numberplates these days as a matter of course isn't it ?
Not if you think it looks ugly! Personally I can't stand the GB thing at the side which then makes the whole text of the plate appear off centre so would never have them:
Like I say though, never been an issue before because the UK plates are very recognisable. In my circa 15-20k miles abroad I've never once been asked for evidence of hi-vis jackets or anything else. I once got stopped leaving a ski resort with 2 people in the car and 6 pairs of skis on the roof and they asked to see the V5 to check we weren't completely dodgy (and I guess thiefs) but that was ok bar the fact the policeman refused to accept my requests for him to speak a little slower (my French isn't bad but he was clearly trying to be difficult).
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