Hi Folks

Can anyone tell me (have searched forum without success) if what "the bloke in the pub" told me is right - travelling to France with the Superb I don't need the stick on headlight dip converter things as it can be done in the Maxidot settings software....I can't find it!

Also, does anyone know a simple "off the peg" solution to getting everything I need to stay the right side of the Gendarmes....I've heard that I know need reflective jackets x 5, breathalysers, triangle, bulbs etc etc

As always, any help much appreciated.

Yours

Confused of Southern UK !

Yep, you flatten the light beam using maxidot. Its under lights and vision.

You also don't need breathalysers anymore, despite companies still advertising that you do

Much appreciated dobbey

I've travelled abroad many times and I've never been stopped and checked to see if I have all the right equipment, but it could perhaps be a problem if, for example, they stop you because a bulb has blown and you don't have a spare.

I always carry a yellow vest and triangle in the UK anyway. I went to Belarus last year, where you must have a fire extinguisher. I bought one as I thought they may be checking everything on a foreign registered car, but they only wanted to see the registration document and agree the engine and chassis numbers.

I put a few odd spare bulbs I've got in the boot to show I've got some spares if asked, but I'm not buying a spare xenon bulb. On my L&K, the rear lights are LED. Do you need to carry a spare if you have these, as it would hardly matter if one of the bulbs blew? I can't imagine they'd all blow together!

Fire extinguisher always sounds sensible although not sure how effective they would be. Bulbs, yes, I plan to get a small selection but ditto on the Xenon. LED's I can't believe it would matter? Interesting point re dobbey's earlier post...just seen on the AA website that they say breathalysers are still mandatory for France. It's quite bad that the AA should still be saying that if you don't have to have them.....they are trying to seel you them as well of course!

Sorry, typo...I meant "sell" !

i carry 1 hi-viz vest all the time and a fire extinguisher,first aid kit, and a full size spare and tow rope, but have never been the furthest i have been with a car is Ireland, and i too have an s spec, so i can't change the headlights from the computer

My understanding was that you need a yellow vest for each person in the car and they should be carried in the car (c.f. the boot).

This seems fairly sensible to me in any case. Like others I carry a first aid kit towrope etc. I also have a bag of spare bulbs and fuses accrued over many cars and been able to help out family and friends etc - amazing how many people don't even carry these.

The yellow jacket has to be worn before you exit the car, so I keep one in the glove box for the driver, who can then go to the boot and get others for the passengers if required.

The law regarding carrying a breathalyser has been "postponed indefinitely" due to shortage of kits and questionable reliability.

If you're towing you'll need 2 warning triangles. If the caravan/trailer has a problem and you have to leave it with a warning triangle in situ, then you need a second triangle in the car for when you drive off. Last time I checked Tesco was cheapest for triangles but it's too long to fit vertically in the strap in the RHS boot cubby hole. For that you need the official Skoda one. There's a post on here somewhere with the measurements if you need them.

Edited 27 April, 201313 yr by artichoke273

Many thanks artichoke273 and all the others! Most helpful as always.

From looking at the maxi dot settings on mine look for tourist mode - that'll change the lights

Fire extinguisher always sounds sensible although not sure how effective they would be.

The elf and stuffy experts withdrew all the fire extinguishers from our fleet vans years ago. Apparently they'd had some engine bay fires where the driver had lifted the bonnet to use the fire extinguisher where the sudden rush of oxygen caused the fire to shoot out and burn the driver, so if you're ever in that position you're best off trying to extinguish tbe fire through the rad or possibly just release the bonnet catch and aim it through the small gaps.

Years ago I was sitting outside my local with a group of friends when the barmaid shouted " Ian, your wife's on the phone". He rushed out and asked me for a lift home as his car, a Reliant Scimitar ( like mine) was on fire. As we jumped in the car the fire brigade passed. We got to the house just in front of them ( steep hill, loaded appliance). Ian Unlocked the car, a fireman popped the bonnet and pointed a small hose through the gap and sprayed the engine with water - which surprised me. It worked though.

At the tome there were often photographs of a smouldering Scimitar chassis in the enthusiast press evidently the Ford V6 carburettor to petrol pipe was dodgy and needed updating - Ian did his straight away -and got away with a bonnet re-spray.

Yes, quite a lot of Essex engined cars went on fire because of the brass pipe, it was just more evident on Scimitars because the body melts. The first thing I do when I buy a Scim is pin the pipe (I have 3 now and no problems)