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Old 31 May 2004, 01:08 PM
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cactus jim
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Default Long Distance Driving

Hi,

I am off to LeMans for a week and just wanted some advice.......

I am sorting the bits i know i need:-

Red Triangle
First Aid Kit
Headlight Deflectors
toothbrush
music
v5 doc
mobile
torch
wipes (!!)

I have had a recent service, so the oil should be OK.

What about tyre pressures, what should be optimum. i run 17" low profiles Yokohama tyres, any advice there.

water and fluid levels
spare tyre
jack
wheel brace

aa cover
inusrance docs
100 euro bills for "le plod"
driving licence
maps

anyone think of the things i've missed

Last edited by cactus jim; 01 June 2004 at 05:21 PM.
Old 31 May 2004, 01:11 PM
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SiPie
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toothbrush
Old 31 May 2004, 02:02 PM
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hoskib
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Originally Posted by cactus jim
Hi,

I am off to LeMans for a week and just wanted some advice.......

I am sorting the bits i know i need:-

Red Triangle
First Aid Kit
Headlight Deflectors

I have had a recent service, so the oil should be OK.

What about tyre pressures, what should be optimum. i run 17" low profiles Yokohama tyres, any advice there.

water and fluid levels
spare tyre
jack
wheel brace

aa cover
inusrance docs
100 euro bills for "le plod"
driving licence
maps

anyone think of the things i've missed
cuddly toy? beer? oh and you'll need an optimax tanker following you aswell

don't forget some music aswell, when i went years ago we got into france and turned to our driver to put some tunes on only to find the numptie had no music whatsoever in his car there's only so much conversation you can have on a long drive like that!
Old 31 May 2004, 02:14 PM
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Ken Ross
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Think you need to carry V5 Doc as well.
Old 31 May 2004, 07:32 PM
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cactus jim
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ok to add:-

toothbrush
music
v5 doc

anyone help with the tyre pressures, dont want a blow out?
Old 31 May 2004, 08:01 PM
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greasemonkey
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Erm, just run them at whatever pressures you normally run them at. If you don't know what you're supposed to run them at, shame on you! Daresay something like 34 front, 32 rear would be in the ballpark...

Incidentally, make sure you check the pressures in this country, as French air is denser than British air, and thus you won't have a clue where you are.
Old 31 May 2004, 08:08 PM
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roguck
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credit card for the auto routes. Don't bother with the headlight deflectors unless stopped as those from Europe never bother when they come to this country and openly admit to that!!!!
Remember they can time you on the pay routes so some cash for a coffee when you stop at the last service station before the payage.
Old 31 May 2004, 08:12 PM
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roguck
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on the fuel front from what I remember the shell garages sell optimax or there is 98RON super unleaded available at most petrol stations unlike over here. Particularly the motorway service stations.
Old 01 June 2004, 02:27 AM
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Markus
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I can tell you one thing NOT to take, and that's a radar dector, the french police *really* dislike them, I think it might be due to them being illegal over there, but I'm not 100 percent on that. Anyway, I've had a few friends relieved of a fair amount of notes for having one on the car.

If you're worried about fuel, then take some octane bosster with you. Most major petrol stations will sell 98 RON fuel, but if you decide to go on a scenic route, you may find the local petrol station only has 95 RON, and if you've and STi, or you usually run on Optimax, you might want the OB to up the octane a bit (or for a laff use OB with 98 RON fuel, lovely )

Other thing would be, don't just cane it all the way over there, you probably won't be able to anyway, due to traffic, but vary the speed a bit, just so the engine doesn't get stressed, doubt it would, but hey, it's up to you.

Oh, and remember, they drive on the other side of the road over there (sorry, had to say it, seeing as no-one else had )
Old 01 June 2004, 08:49 AM
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leeps
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yeah

torch
blanket
wet towel to wipe ur face
coffee
cell phone
Old 01 June 2004, 05:08 PM
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let me know how you get on over there, coz were off to the South of France in the summer hols

Looking forward to the 650 miles in France, it's the 400 in this country that'll be torture
Old 01 June 2004, 05:23 PM
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cactus jim
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Originally Posted by greasemonkey
Erm, just run them at whatever pressures you normally run them at. If you don't know what you're supposed to run them at, shame on you! Daresay something like 34 front, 32 rear would be in the ballpark...
yes, shame on me GM, i dont know my pressures. i will check (and use) the values you mention above. Thanks for that.

Incidentally, make sure you check the pressures in this country, as French air is denser than British air, and thus you won't have a clue where you are.
chateaux neuf-de pap!! c'est ridiculous??!!
Old 01 June 2004, 05:24 PM
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cactus jim
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Originally Posted by roguck
credit card for the auto routes. Don't bother with the headlight deflectors unless stopped as those from Europe never bother when they come to this country and openly admit to that!!!!
Remember they can time you on the pay routes so some cash for a coffee when you stop at the last service station before the payage.

mmm, this timing thing worries me just a tad!! is the time equal to the exact speed limit? i assume so.
Old 01 June 2004, 05:29 PM
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cactus jim
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Originally Posted by roguck
on the fuel front from what I remember the shell garages sell optimax or there is 98RON super unleaded available at most petrol stations unlike over here. Particularly the motorway service stations.

another question then. as i have to run OB as i have import with chip, would it make a difference if i just put in their SUL or does it need to be 98SUL (Shell or ESSO)

ie over here i wouldnt think to use SUL, however i live near a shell garage. is what SUl i use irrelevant if i use OB? that may mean i can be less fussy over there and fillup wherever?
Old 01 June 2004, 05:32 PM
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cactus jim
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Originally Posted by Markus
I can tell you one thing NOT to take, and that's a radar dector, the french police *really* dislike them, I think it might be due to them being illegal over there, but I'm not 100 percent on that. Anyway, I've had a few friends relieved of a fair amount of notes for having one on the car.

If you're worried about fuel, then take some octane bosster with you. Most major petrol stations will sell 98 RON fuel, but if you decide to go on a scenic route, you may find the local petrol station only has 95 RON, and if you've and STi, or you usually run on Optimax, you might want the OB to up the octane a bit (or for a laff use OB with 98 RON fuel, lovely )

Other thing would be, don't just cane it all the way over there, you probably won't be able to anyway, due to traffic, but vary the speed a bit, just so the engine doesn't get stressed, doubt it would, but hey, it's up to you.

Oh, and remember, they drive on the other side of the road over there
(sorry, had to say it, seeing as no-one else had )

thanks you just answered my previous question.
Old 02 June 2004, 11:34 AM
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Come to Portugal....BP 100 RON, Euro cup, Rock&Rio, nice weather....

Nuno
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