Preparing for a long drive

[Austerby]

We've got a place on Mallorca and are going to drive down to it from the UK for Christmas, taking the dog in our L&K 1.4TSI Yeti, new last year.

 

We'll leave in the morning from near London, take the tunnel across then drive across France until about 6pm then stop for the night somewhere. Next day complete the journey to pick up the ferry from Barcelona, departing 10pm for an overnight crossing to be at the villa early the next morning. It'll be about 1000 mile drive I think, each way.

 

A couple of questions:

 

1. I've only done about 3000 miles since getting the car - should I get a service as it'll be 12 months old when we're away.

 

2. I occasionally get a warning that the 12V battery is low if I'm listening to the radio with the engine turned off. I suspect this is because I do mostly local short-distance driving at weekends, no week-day driving, and only occasional longer distances, hence the low mileage. Is this warning sign normal?

 

3. How do I change the lights for continental driving - is there something clever to adjust or do I just get the stickers for the lenses?

 

 

Any recommendations for a route or places to stop? Am not sure whether to go via Rouen and Orleans and down the A75 through Clermont-Ferrand, or down the Rhone valley via Dijon and Montpelier.

 

Also, any thoughts on dog-friendly motorway hotel chains in France?

 

Thanks

[Urrell]

Nothing needed for headlights, there is an option on the MFD where you can select tourist or travel mode.

That will stop your headlights dazzling others coming the other way but be prepared there will be a light warning on start-up for about 10 seconds to remind you it's selected.
As so little mileage covered it would be wise to get a battery maintainer to keep it charged up, its like a normal charger but can be left connected any time you are not using the car.

[Frenchtone]

most hotels accept dogs, usually about 8 euros per night - cheap and cheerful Ibis chain, better quality Logis chain, google search 'em

[eribaMotters]

We do the first part of your run most summers when traveling down to the Loire and onto the Dordogne.

We use https://www.viamichelin.com/ and find the on the road times are very good. I type in a via point of Dreux to pull us across to the route we prefer.

About 1/4 mile after the N154 / N12 roundabout is a small roundabout with a cheap credit card only type fuel station linked to a LeClerc ? click and collect type set-up. About 1/2 mile after this is the only pinch point we experience on this run, a set of staggered traffic light at the bottom of the hill.

Taking this route you will find toll costs are pretty reasonable, as far down as the Dordogne anyway.

 

As mentioned above, you may have an option on the maxidot, but only if you have the Xenon lights which I think you do.

 

Colin

Edited 17 November, 2016 by eribaMotters

[Ryeman]

Keep a diary of the run...........we like to dream of such a trip one day

[skoda1982]

After driving from London to France your battery will be fully charged 

[Anzio]

Why not leave the dog with a friend and fly, and hire a car when you get there? Cheaper and less hassle.

[Llanigraham]

Why not leave the dog with a friend and fly, and hire a car when you get there? Cheaper and less hassle.

 

You can bring more wine and cheese back in the car!

[Ryeman]

If you stay on the toll roads, how much would it cost approx?.

[Falmouthboy]

Is the car set on annual or condition based servicing? I would assume annual if the dealer did their job properly and ascertained your needs. The MFD should show you the due date. The normal guidance is anything over 1000 miles or 4-weeks past the service due date. If you are to exceed this then I would get it done beforehand. If not, I would book it in before you leave so you can get it done as soon as you return.

With your use the battery warning would be quite normal. The radio is quite powerful and draws a fair bit of current and if you are only making short trips and sitting in the car with the radio on, the battery won't get a chance to recoup itself.

[Ryeman]

The length of time it take for the battery protection to kick in would probably indicate the battery's health, a function of age ?.

[PirateSyrett]

Ryeman - The viamichelin link above from Eribamotters will give you route distance and toll costs.

Austerby - I'd go via Clermont-Ferrand and the gorgeous Millau bridge (almost worth a trip in its own right!) but it's hilly with climbs upto 1100m so possibly poor if bad weather's expected. It's almost toll free apart from the bridge and brings you down to the South of France much closer to Barcelona. I'd avoid the Rhone valley and particularly Lyon unless you really need to.

I'd also check out the Bison Fute traffic calendar (someone cleverer than me can probably embed the link!) which accurately predicts 'black Saturday' and other difficult/busy days months ahead.

Final top tip is to order an autoroute tag before you travel from Sanef tolling. Whilst they're a French company they have offices in the UK and the best customer service department I have ever encountered. The tag isn't cheaper than paying at the booth but you don't have to fiddle about with coins or cards......or keep your passenger awake just because they're on the left and you can't reach across! You can then use the 30km/h telepeage lane and jump every queue on the way south! We've towed a large boat to Toulon each summer for the past 10 years and the tag sees us regularly overtake other drivers bombing down the road at 80-90 mph whilst we're limited to 60mph but never queue! Winner.

Hope this helps, Matt

Edited 19 November, 2016 by PirateSyrett

[Ryeman]

^^^^good stuff

I'm envious

[edbostan]

I took ours to France and Germany and travelled 2500 miles. The engine had done 5000 miles since service so did not deem it necessary for an oil change. Service indicator said 4500 miles or 150 days on day of departure. The toll reader is good. We used it all the time - just stick it to windscreen.

Edited 20 November, 2016 by edbostan

[Austerby]

Thanks for your really useful contributions.

 

I've now got one of the Sanef devices, which I wasn't aware of before.

 

Current plans are to head down to Clermont-Ferrand for the first night then go over the A75 down to the south the next day.

 

It all looks quite straightforward and I'm rather looking forward to it. One reason for buying the Yeti and the L&K version was with this sort of trip in mind.

 

I'll book the Yeti in for a service on our return.

[Bexhillian]

Have a good trip!

One reason for buying the Yeti and the L&K version was with this sort of trip in mind.

Us the same, bought in April then to Italy this year and planning for Cadiz in early summer 2017.

[PirateSyrett]

Great news! Hope you enjoy the trip.

[CHRIS ELLIS]

Don't do rouen as there are a lot of road works.driving down to Barcelona via Paris will cost about £70 in tolls.if your loading up the yeti I wouldn't go via Milan,as your struggle up the hills in a 1.4.maybe go via toulouse much flatter route.

[Ryeman]

A 1.4 struggling?.

I assume there are no trucks then?.

[Cumbrian28]

Yes, roadworks on the autoroutes both sides of Rouen but traffic never stops, just slows a little. Roadworks in the city mostly finished and no hold ups. Scenery far nicer via Rouen to Dordogne than via Paris. Tolls may be a few quid more though. I use this route 5 or 6 times a year, dead easy. Also use Ibis chain as so convenient with the dog, never had any problems. Ibis budget not as convenient though.

[The Plumber]

Took our previous classic TDI 110 4x4 out to the Czech Republic in a one day journey of near 980 miles with a soft box on the roof, before going down into Austria a few days later; great car for long runs, although the Fabia brakes on the 110 found long mountain descents a challenge.

 

Took both a spare wheel and an air compressor plus tyre glue to be on the safe side with travelling through the night deep into Europe.

 

 

TP