Need a Health Check Before 2000 mile trip to Europe

jayroc · Post by **jayroc** » Tue Mar 31, 2015 8:01 pm

Hi Guys,
My car is not due for a service until July 2016 as it had a long life service last year.
I'm now getting ready to go on a 2000 mile round trip and would like to know if I can carry out a health check of the car myself or if I need to take it to a garage.
My VW dealer is useless so no point in taking the car to them!!!
Can someone please tell me the things I need to check and also if I can carry out the vehicle health checks myself.
I've wasted and spent too much on the car already!
Thanks
Jay

scirocco1984 · Post by **scirocco1984** » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:42 pm

jayroc wrote:Hi Guys,
My car is not due for a service until July 2016 as it had a long life service last year.
I'm now getting ready to go on a 2000 mile round trip and would like to know if I can carry out a health check of the car myself or if I need to take it to a garage.
My VW dealer is useless so no point in taking the car to them!!!
Can someone please tell me the things I need to check and also if I can carry out the vehicle health checks myself.
I've wasted and spent too much on the car already!
Thanks
Jay

Check your tyre treads & pressures
Fill your screenwash up
Check your oil level ( top up if necessary )
Check all lights
Check coolant level
Fill your tank
Make sure your spare wheel is in order incase needed & Locking wheel nut is in the car
Check wipers clear screen ok
Sat nav if not built in car
Plenty of CD's etc
Dont forget your phones in car charger

That should see you right

Paul

martynk87 · Post by **martynk87** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 7:50 am

Also, it depends on which countries within Europe you are visiting.

Some have laws on carrying warning triangle, hi-vis vest and spare light bulbs.

Also I believe it is now law in France that you have to carry a breathalyser. Think you can get away with those cheap disposable ones in halfords.

jayroc · Post by **jayroc** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 10:54 am

Paul and Martynk87, thank you very much for your advice! I'll make sure it's all done.

matt_j_smith · Post by **matt_j_smith** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 12:28 pm

Not to mention checking tyre depths, I think in certain eu countries the legal limit is higher than ours. (ours being 1.6mm)

Tbh, just a thorough common sense going over of the car is adpt... If you dig through your paper work you may find the check list that VW do (their 100 point check or whatever it is) - use that as a tick sheet.

Most of all - as above - don't forget your ipod hahaha

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 12:36 pm

Spare bulbs wouldnt go a miss just in case either

MartyRocco · Post by **MartyRocco** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 2:02 pm

Also, if travelling through France it's worth making sure any speed cam POIs are turned off in your SatNav.

It depends whether you are going to France, how often and if you plan to use Autoroutes. I would recommend getting an automatic toll payer. It's great for beating the queues especially now most tolls have a lane allowing you to go through at 30kph.

I did several trips down to the south of France in my Scirocco and it was fantastic.

mrhirst · Post by **mrhirst** » Thu Apr 02, 2015 6:41 am

Thanks for the tips, I was actually going to ask the same question! Also going on a 2000 mile road trip in a few weeks and can't wait!

I also bought a torch and first aid kit! I'd recommend checking here

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/to ... ipment.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some countries also want proof of insurance and should take paper counterpart too just to be safe just in case you get stopped!

What countries you visiting?

jayroc · Post by **jayroc** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 9:04 pm

Visiting France, Germany and Austria!

easyrider · Post by **easyrider** » Mon Apr 06, 2015 11:34 pm

maybe get a travelling in france kit?

legally i think you need to have 2 breathalysers in the car, plus a gb sticker if your reg plate doesn't have one on, and warning triangle, hi-vis as mentioned plus some light deflector stickers for the front beams to stop dazzling traffic on the other side of the road. full kits from aa/amazon for about 25 quid.

enjoy, pics please, and have a safe journey.

mrhirst · Post by **mrhirst** » Tue Apr 07, 2015 6:27 am

jayroc wrote:Visiting France, Germany and Austria!

Enjoy! I'm visiting those also but going via Switzerland and Italy on the way back

2 links I found useful...

http://www.autobahn-speedhunter.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ultimatedrives.net/top-10-roads/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AxG · Post by **AxG** » Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:20 pm

Deflector stickers are needed for headlights, I'd also take spare fuses and jump leads, if they haven't been mentioned.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Scirocco Central