Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Rock on 21 November 2006, 19:52:15

Title: Driving in France
Post by: Rock on 21 November 2006, 19:52:15
I will be taking the Omega across to France in February which will be my first bash at driving abroad.

Is there anything I need to do to the car before I go in preparation please? I have already got a long string of garlic ready to hang from the rear view mirror.  ;)
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 21 November 2006, 19:54:59
If you ain't got HIDs, you need the headlamp sticker things.

Also need:
Warning Triangle
Spare Bulb Kit
First Aid Kit
High visibility jerkin for each passenger

Some of above are legal requirements, some are 'strongly recommended'
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: STMO123 on 21 November 2006, 20:01:18
And a big wodge of cash for the french piggies ;D
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Rock on 21 November 2006, 20:02:19
Sorry for sounding thick, but what are HID's?
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: STMO123 on 21 November 2006, 20:03:46
High Intensity Discharge lights (Xenons)
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 21 November 2006, 20:05:26
Omega HID headlights have levers to adjust beam from UK to a 'flat' setting, hence no silly headlight beam stickers required....
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Rock on 21 November 2006, 20:07:33
Is there such thing as a "Spare Bulb Kit", or is it just a lunch box with one of each type of bulb in it?
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 21 November 2006, 20:09:37
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Is there such thing as a "Spare Bulb Kit", or is it just a lunch box with one of each type of bulb in it?
I tend to carry a proper one all the time anyway, as I like to fix a bulb immediately, but I guess if you can show spare bulbs, thats enough ;)
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: MikeDundee on 21 November 2006, 20:10:35
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Sorry for sounding thick, but what are HID's?

Check this:   http://www.autoxen.com/store/information.html#whid
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: STMO123 on 21 November 2006, 20:11:22
Question. Do HIDs need to be handled like halogens..ie, with gloves?
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 21 November 2006, 20:14:42
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Question. Do HIDs need to be handled like halogens..ie, with gloves?
Big thick rubber ones, as the ballast pack will hold a hell of a charge! Hence, book says dealer job.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Rock on 21 November 2006, 20:14:59
So do vauxhall sell a proper spare bulb kit then?
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: MikeDundee on 21 November 2006, 20:16:01
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So do vauxhall sell a proper spare bulb kit then?

Yes.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 21 November 2006, 20:18:06
Halfords are cheaper I think...
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 21 November 2006, 20:19:34
Tunnie mentioned something about glasses, but it got lost in my little cock-up. I'll ask him to repost...
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: MikeDundee on 21 November 2006, 20:25:45
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So do vauxhall sell a proper spare bulb kit then?

Check this out..hellfrauds £15.99............ http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/categorydisplay_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_categoryId_31553_langId_-1_topCategoryId__parentcategoryrn_33958_crumb_33958_topcategory_33958
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 21 November 2006, 20:29:20
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Sorry for sounding thick, but what are HID's?

You've got a CD so you shouldnt have HID's, unless option fitted.
Easy way to check (works 99% of the time) have you got adjustable headlight up/down on headlight switch cluster.....if so you've got ordinary filament bulbs  :y
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Rock on 21 November 2006, 20:37:47
Is a GB sticker still needed for the back of the car?
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 21 November 2006, 20:39:23
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Is a GB sticker still needed for the back of the car?
Yup
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: STMO123 on 21 November 2006, 20:40:18
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Is a GB sticker still needed for the back of the car?

See my previous reply. If you put GB stickers on, you'll need even more cash for the french piggies....
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Rock on 21 November 2006, 20:42:56
Quote
Quote
So do vauxhall sell a proper spare bulb kit then?

Check this out..hellfrauds £15.99............ http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/categorydisplay_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_categoryId_31553_langId_-1_topCategoryId__parentcategoryrn_33958_crumb_33958_topcategory_33958

Ahh, perfect thanks!
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: MikeDundee on 21 November 2006, 20:46:25
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Quote
Is a GB sticker still needed for the back of the car?

See my previous reply. If you put GB stickers on, you'll need even more cash for the french piggies....

It wont cost you much if you put a scottish EU sticker on ;D ;D, I've got a spare scottish car sticker kit or your can get them at; http://www.carflagkits.co.uk
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: omegaV6CD on 21 November 2006, 21:01:46
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Omega HID headlights have levers to adjust beam from UK to a 'flat' setting, hence no silly headlight beam stickers required....
Does that mean that my car has HID's i never knew!
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: omegaV6CD on 21 November 2006, 21:05:09
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I will be taking the Omega across to France in February which will be my first bash at driving abroad.

Is there anything I need to do to the car before I go in preparation please? I have already got a long string of garlic ready to hang from the rear view mirror.  ;)

Get a snooper with you, otherwise you will end up paying 90euro speeding fines like me. Make sure the car is spot on and give it a thorough inspection, i usually do a full service before each trip and i was never let down. Ferrysavers.com is your place for ferry tickets.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: omegaV6CD on 21 November 2006, 21:07:54
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I will be taking the Omega across to France in February which will be my first bash at driving abroad.

Is there anything I need to do to the car before I go in preparation please? I have already got a long string of garlic ready to hang from the rear view mirror.  ;)

Sorry, i forgot to mention that you need european breakdown cover, i always take it and it costs about 60 quid.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 21 November 2006, 21:15:30
Quote
Quote
I will be taking the Omega across to France in February which will be my first bash at driving abroad.

Is there anything I need to do to the car before I go in preparation please? I have already got a long string of garlic ready to hang from the rear view mirror.  ;)

Sorry, i forgot to mention that you need european breakdown cover, i always take it and it costs about 60 quid.
Worth every penny as well :y
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 21 November 2006, 21:17:12
Quote
Quote
I will be taking the Omega across to France in February which will be my first bash at driving abroad.

Is there anything I need to do to the car before I go in preparation please? I have already got a long string of garlic ready to hang from the rear view mirror.  ;)

Get a snooper with you, otherwise you will end up paying 90euro speeding fines like me. Make sure the car is spot on and give it a thorough inspection, i usually do a full service before each trip and i was never let down. Ferrysavers.com is your place for ferry tickets.
Rumour is that they also time you between the toll booths as well....   ....I tend to keep close to the limits over there.  If its a long stretch of toll, I may boot it a little, and stop at some services for a break...
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Andy B on 21 November 2006, 21:17:41
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Quote
Is a GB sticker still needed for the back of the car?
Yup
If you have GB on the reg plate then you don't require separate GB stickers.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: tunnie on 21 November 2006, 22:21:47
hello again!

I was researching sites for my Euro-road trip next year, can't remember where i saw it. but i think its italy or someware over there, that if you ware glasses for driving, then legally you must have a second pair!

Ohh and its illegal to run out of petrol on the German autobahns too!

Sorry for the late re-post, watching top gear on UKTV G2.... they had the Monaro on there..... god damn thats a nice car... and they are only 15k on autotrader :'( i want i want i want i want !!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: omegaV6CD on 21 November 2006, 22:37:44
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Quote
Quote
I will be taking the Omega across to France in February which will be my first bash at driving abroad.

Is there anything I need to do to the car before I go in preparation please? I have already got a long string of garlic ready to hang from the rear view mirror.  ;)

Get a snooper with you, otherwise you will end up paying 90euro speeding fines like me. Make sure the car is spot on and give it a thorough inspection, i usually do a full service before each trip and i was never let down. Ferrysavers.com is your place for ferry tickets.
Rumour is that they also time you between the toll booths as well....   ....I tend to keep close to the limits over there.  If its a long stretch of toll, I may boot it a little, and stop at some services for a break...
Funny enough, i have heard the same thing but i never had a problem, my speed was an average of 95mph. The tunnels have usually speed cameras that are very sensitive. Italian police is less strict than the french.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 22 November 2006, 09:39:57
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Quote
Quote
Quote
I will be taking the Omega across to France in February which will be my first bash at driving abroad.

Is there anything I need to do to the car before I go in preparation please? I have already got a long string of garlic ready to hang from the rear view mirror.  ;)

Get a snooper with you, otherwise you will end up paying 90euro speeding fines like me. Make sure the car is spot on and give it a thorough inspection, i usually do a full service before each trip and i was never let down. Ferrysavers.com is your place for ferry tickets.
Rumour is that they also time you between the toll booths as well....   ....I tend to keep close to the limits over there.  If its a long stretch of toll, I may boot it a little, and stop at some services for a break...
Funny enough, i have heard the same thing but i never had a problem, my speed was an average of 95mph. The tunnels have usually speed cameras that are very sensitive. Italian police is less strict than the french.
I have never been pulled/caught in France, but I know people who have. Apparently, the police were waiting in the layby just beyond toll booth.

Had a hire car in France this summer, which we also took over to Verona.  Pretty much flat out all the way. Never got pulled etc...
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Elite Pete on 22 November 2006, 15:53:58
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Is a GB sticker still needed for the back of the car?
I thought you only needed a GB sticker if you didnt have the EU flag on your number plate.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 22 November 2006, 16:32:49
Dont forget a wedge of cash for toll roads.......

Speedferries are very good for getting over there.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: tunnie on 22 November 2006, 18:52:37
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Dont forget a wedge of cash for toll roads.......

Speedferries are very good for getting over there.

TomTom >> Preferences >> Avoid Toll Roads  ;)

I plan to do the above, see more of the country side too  :)
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: TheBoy on 22 November 2006, 18:55:14
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Quote
Dont forget a wedge of cash for toll roads.......

Speedferries are very good for getting over there.

TomTom >> Preferences >> Avoid Toll Roads  ;)

I plan to do the above, see more of the country side too  :)
Depends, if you need to get somewhere, the tolls are the best way. What it costs in tolls, you'll probably make up in fuel....
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: omegaV6CD on 23 November 2006, 10:57:31
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Quote
Dont forget a wedge of cash for toll roads.......

Speedferries are very good for getting over there.

TomTom >> Preferences >> Avoid Toll Roads  ;)

I plan to do the above, see more of the country side too  :)

Yeah, i tried the same once and it took me 1hour + to cover 70 kilometers while i could have covered them in about 20 on the motorway. Wasn't very happy given the fact that i had travelled 8 hours and there was only 70km between me and  a warm hotel bed. Beautifull country roads in France though.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: Big Rod on 23 November 2006, 11:50:15
This might sound stupid, but having been a passenger with a 'virgin' driving my car a couple of months ago through France etc, a little sign on top of the dashboard saying something like "RIGHT---->" is actually not a bad idea!

It's not so bad when you're on motorways, but when you're turning at a junction, using a roundabout or leaving a petrol station or the like it's a very quick and handy referrence.
Title: Re: Driving in France
Post by: CaptainZok on 23 November 2006, 14:17:30
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This might sound stupid, but having been a passenger with a 'virgin' driving my car a couple of months ago through France etc, a little sign on top of the dashboard saying something like "RIGHT---->" is actually not a bad idea!

It's not so bad when you're on motorways, but when you're turning at a junction, using a roundabout or leaving a petrol station or the like it's a very quick and handy referrence.
LOL thats a very good idea Rod, I remember my first drive on the continent having that problem but I had something a bit bigger to argue with as I was in an artic.