Europe road trip in May
Discussion
Hi guys, I am planning for my Europe road trip in May. Realised that we have to change the headlights to dip on the left side.
I understand that the headlights are not really adjustable and that the stickers that you can get for ordinary cars don't really work on Aston.
Owners who hav done trips to Europe from the UK, what were your solutions?
Your advice is much appreciated! Really excited about the trip!
I understand that the headlights are not really adjustable and that the stickers that you can get for ordinary cars don't really work on Aston.
Owners who hav done trips to Europe from the UK, what were your solutions?
Your advice is much appreciated! Really excited about the trip!
Buy stickers in hellfrauds or chunnel tunnel shop.
Keep in car, in case froggie police stop you.
don't fit them as they don't do anything!
Been abroad 2 years running in the Aston - never fitted them, never been stopped. Ben abroad for the past 10+ years on motorbikes and never been stopped.
You can get the beam altered - there is a switch on the back of the headlight, but that involves wheel off, and other bits to even get at.
Keep in car, in case froggie police stop you.
don't fit them as they don't do anything!
Been abroad 2 years running in the Aston - never fitted them, never been stopped. Ben abroad for the past 10+ years on motorbikes and never been stopped.
You can get the beam altered - there is a switch on the back of the headlight, but that involves wheel off, and other bits to even get at.
Neil1300R said:
Buy stickers in hellfrauds or chunnel tunnel shop.
Keep in car, in case froggie police stop you.
don't fit them as they don't do anything!
Been abroad 2 years running in the Aston - never fitted them, never been stopped. Ben abroad for the past 10+ years on motorbikes and never been stopped.
You can get the beam altered - there is a switch on the back of the headlight, but that involves wheel off, and other bits to even get at.
Now I'm intrigued by that. I was in the wheel arch the other week looking at the opened headlamp assembly and could see no switch. I was looking for it too as I'd heard rumour of such a thing from some years ago. In reality I'd be real suprised if it was a switch anyway. So far as I can see the headlight levelers only operate in an up/down axis and have no Left/Right axis type adjust. Anyone know if this "switch" is myth or real? Happy to have a peek in the back of mine again to confirm and take photo.Keep in car, in case froggie police stop you.
don't fit them as they don't do anything!
Been abroad 2 years running in the Aston - never fitted them, never been stopped. Ben abroad for the past 10+ years on motorbikes and never been stopped.
You can get the beam altered - there is a switch on the back of the headlight, but that involves wheel off, and other bits to even get at.
OK, never done it myself by copy and pasted this from a previous post on this topic. Can only asume this information is correct as it was supplied by Aston God aka Rick at DMS:-
hi headlamp conversion to continental spec is not difficult but as the lamps use hid units great care must be taken, access to a ramp is preferred disconnect the battery, remove both front wheels to gain access to square panel at the back of the headlamps, remove access panel, remove rubber covers from back of lamps, remove the dipped beam bulb and power pack, do not touch the bulb glass, locate the conversion switch and alter to opposite position you should hear it click into place, rebuild reconnect battery, reprogram radio windows etc
hi headlamp conversion to continental spec is not difficult but as the lamps use hid units great care must be taken, access to a ramp is preferred disconnect the battery, remove both front wheels to gain access to square panel at the back of the headlamps, remove access panel, remove rubber covers from back of lamps, remove the dipped beam bulb and power pack, do not touch the bulb glass, locate the conversion switch and alter to opposite position you should hear it click into place, rebuild reconnect battery, reprogram radio windows etc
Have done exactly 20 trips across Europe in UK cars, have never once had to do anything with the lights, and have never had a GB sticker on the car.
I've been stopped twice but on neither occasion has it been mentioned at all, but all times I've had light stickers and a GB logo in the glove box.
I've been stopped twice but on neither occasion has it been mentioned at all, but all times I've had light stickers and a GB logo in the glove box.
Thanks for the help guys! Thought it's not really enforced but heard from friends that French police tend to be a bit strict.
Rightly pointed out, I won't really be driving during the night with lots of day light in the summer.
I'll probably just get the sticker to keep in the car just in case. Luckyluciano, thanks a lot for your offer, probably too much to trouble you for something I could just order online for just a few quid. Thanks anyway.
Rightly pointed out, I won't really be driving during the night with lots of day light in the summer.
I'll probably just get the sticker to keep in the car just in case. Luckyluciano, thanks a lot for your offer, probably too much to trouble you for something I could just order online for just a few quid. Thanks anyway.
Neil1300R said:
Buy stickers in hellfrauds or chunnel tunnel shop.
Keep in car, in case froggie police stop you.
don't fit them as they don't do anything!
Been abroad 2 years running in the Aston - never fitted them, never been stopped.
This Keep in car, in case froggie police stop you.
don't fit them as they don't do anything!
Been abroad 2 years running in the Aston - never fitted them, never been stopped.
I do exactly the same (and I also keep a random pack of bulbs in case these are checked as well...(I think they were from my old TVR from memory!). Mind you I seldom drive at night when abroad
It's almost time for my first epic road trip to Europe...next week end! Still trying to decide on the route to take travelling from the swiss alps to Milan. In particular which one of those great passes to take.
My current thoughts are going down Grimsel pass, then across the Furka pass and then down the legendary San Gotthard's Pass. What do you think of this route? Or is there a better route? I don't mind slight detours if it is worth the drive. Although I don't intend to cover all the passes but would like to get through a few.
Also about the San Gotthard, it seems like they are cobbled roads. Are they any good for us Astons with relatively hard ride? I'll be in my DB9 (no sports pack). Also the route I have above is going down the pass instead of up. Is it any good to drive or will it just be on the brakes all the time?
Fellow seasoned drivers, your advice is much appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
My current thoughts are going down Grimsel pass, then across the Furka pass and then down the legendary San Gotthard's Pass. What do you think of this route? Or is there a better route? I don't mind slight detours if it is worth the drive. Although I don't intend to cover all the passes but would like to get through a few.
Also about the San Gotthard, it seems like they are cobbled roads. Are they any good for us Astons with relatively hard ride? I'll be in my DB9 (no sports pack). Also the route I have above is going down the pass instead of up. Is it any good to drive or will it just be on the brakes all the time?
Fellow seasoned drivers, your advice is much appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
take a look here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a... Trip Planning Website Resources
Check that the pass is open; the Furka was closed when we went last year meaning that traffic was very heavy and not much fun really. Gotthard is not cobbled unless you take the old road from the top of the pass, time constrictions meant that we didn't try.
http://www.cycling-challenge.com/passo-san-gottard...
Edit to add, do take in the Schlumpf museum if you can, definitely a highlight on any road trip.
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a... Trip Planning Website Resources
Check that the pass is open; the Furka was closed when we went last year meaning that traffic was very heavy and not much fun really. Gotthard is not cobbled unless you take the old road from the top of the pass, time constrictions meant that we didn't try.
http://www.cycling-challenge.com/passo-san-gottard...
Edit to add, do take in the Schlumpf museum if you can, definitely a highlight on any road trip.
Edited by ariel on Monday 23 May 09:45
Just back from Brescia via Goddards. No cobbles, road almost empty and just fabulous experience. Snow at the top but well gritted. Enjoy and hope for a sunny day the views are spectacular! I preferred it to Stelvio but we had a poor weather day when we did it a few years back and my gearbox overheated which halted proceedings for an hour or so! Watch out for the police in Switzerland !
Thanks guys.
Really excited about it! Hope the good weather will hold up!
There seems to be new and old Gotthard passes. The old one is cobbled and the new is not. When you are there, is it clearly signed which is the new and old? Do they end up in the same place? From the google map, it is unclear what is old and what is new.
Really excited about it! Hope the good weather will hold up!
There seems to be new and old Gotthard passes. The old one is cobbled and the new is not. When you are there, is it clearly signed which is the new and old? Do they end up in the same place? From the google map, it is unclear what is old and what is new.
You won't miss the new road! You have to look fit the old one! we saw it from the view point at the top not sure how you get onto it. Not sure it was open as there were no cars on it when we were looking down on it. There are some great viewing points but you come onto them quite quickly if you are driving enthusiastically ! Watch the tunnel at the top if there's snow about as that was only only place the road seemed a bit slippery. Enjoy yourselves and don't forget you need the 30 odd euro pass to drive in Switzerland which you buy at border control. Have cash ready - using a card is a pain as you have to park up and walk to the ticketing office.
One thing which English drivers tend to forget to bring with them when coming over to Switzerland is the vehicle registration document. You WILL be asked for it (well, they will ask for the "carte grise") if you get stopped. It could make life tricky if you dont have it and it could just be the sort of thing that tips the balance if they are considering fining you for exuberant interpretation of the speed limits.
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