Hello,

In a couple of months I plan to travel across Europe in my 2010 fiesta 1,4 TDCI.  (will be driving for around 2400 mi. in total) before that, I just want to make sure everything is in the right order.

Is there any particular parts or places you would highly recommend paying close attention to before hand? also which parts would you replace as a preventative maintenance?

thank you

 

Normal service parts - oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter.

Check & replace if necessary - Light bulbs.  Wiper blades.  Brake pads.  Tyres.  Auxillary belts.  Coolant reservoir & cap.

Possibly glowplugs as it'll be cold in most of Europe in a couple of months time.  And in the same vane, if the battery is getting weak you may want to replace that.

I believe you should have a spare bulb set and Hi vis vests/warning triangle etc  for various countries (this is caravan related as we've been to Croatia/Florence/Algarve etc etc. But useful?):
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/useful-information/travelling-after-brexit/driving-in-europe-brexit/

Also make sure you have the required documents and, importantly your insurance covers the car at comprehensive level, plus travel insurance and, critically, breakdown cover?
Sorry to be boring...

3 hours ago, BernardFiesta said:

Hello,

In a couple of months I plan to travel across Europe in my 2010 fiesta 1,4 TDCI.  (will be driving for around 2400 mi. in total) before that, I just want to make sure everything is in the right order.

Is there any particular parts or places you would highly recommend paying close attention to before hand? also which parts would you replace as a preventative maintenance?

thank you

 

As above - it's going to be 'cold' in a couple of months time.  Where are you going exactly?

I ask as you may well need non-summer tyres... and do you have a proper spare in a MY2010?

12 hours ago, Shearers said:

I believe you should have a warning triangle 

That's so true! My relation went into Europe using their UK car, around the mid 80's, he never knew about the warning triangle, he got pulled up by a french copper who examined his car, no warning triangle was apparent, copper telling him he must have one in the car, the copper never fined him but got a brand new one out of his boot, copper had a few dozen in his boot, who gladly gave them out, that wouldn't happen these days.



 

15 hours ago, BernardFiesta said:

In a couple of months I plan to travel across Europe in my 2010 fiesta 1,4 TDCI. 

Don't forget to fit beam benders to the headlights and say to yourself over and over..... ''You must give way to oncoming vehicles from your right at junction'' and ''You drive on the right side of the road''......Shocking how many horror stories of UK drivers in Europe causing a crash because they'd forgot they aren't in the UK.

18 hours ago, BernardFiesta said:

In a couple of months I plan to travel across Europe in my 2010 fiesta 1,4 TDCI.

Recommend getting breakdown cover from one of the "big boys"

For Example:

https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover?--&gclsrc=ds

AFAIK UK breakdown companies use local agents (like Green Flag etc) you won't get an AA/RAC etc. van in EU, not that it makes much difference.
No mention of route yet but on French motorways you can't call your breakdown company direct you must use the motorway phones or contact Police/them, they tow you off and you (usually - check for that) claim it back from your own company. Again, if using them (you won't travel fast on the routes through villages!) although there are some toll free main roads) consider a tag (plenty available but this is UK based: https://www.emovis-tag.co.uk/) to enable you to drive through the automatic gates otherwise your passenger will need to have long arms to place the cash or credit card  - alone, it would mean getting out at each toll booth en route - very disruptive for you and anyone following. And don't mention the multi-system confusion that is Portuguese tolling.
I can give you our experience for several EU countries!

On 11/6/2024 at 10:15 AM, Ian Lanc said:

Shocking how many horror stories of UK drivers in Europe causing a crash because they'd forgot they aren't in the UK.

+1

I made a small sketch with a felt-tip pen and taped it onto my dashboard. After using it for a week I was so chuffed with it I thought I could get them mass-produced and become a millionaire.

Then found Halfords had beaten me to it!

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/travel-accessories/travel-equipment/driveright-lane-safety-device-138860.html

I would also check your wallet and take a couple of credit cards (visa & mc), and don't forget that cash is king in more remote areas...

11 hours ago, StephenFord said:

I would also check your wallet and take a couple of credit cards (visa & mc), and don't forget that cash is king in more remote areas...

But don't carry large amounts of cash.  And also don't draw it out of local ATM's because of exchange rates and fees.  

3 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

.. And also don't draw it out of local ATM's because of exchange rates and fees.  

Unless like me, you have something like the Halifax Clarity card which is designed for 'abroad' use and doesn't incur foreign transaction fees for use or cash withdrawals LOL

The big question is will BernardFiesta return ?  Bernardas did login Monday to read the replies but didn't make any comment.

3 minutes ago, unofix said:

The big question is will BernardFiesta return ?  Bernardas did login Monday to read the replies but didn't make any comment.

Maybe he's already off on his travels LOL

Or maybe his dreams of an exciting driving tour across Europe have been crushed by all the negativity in this thread!  

Very soon I will be off to my journey! Wanted to say thanks for every suggestion :))

4 minutes ago, BernardFiesta said:

Very soon I will be off to my journey! Wanted to say thanks for every suggestion :))

Bon Voyage... send us a postcard 😄

Interested (without knowing the details), the countries you are passing through?

We always enjoy our European trips but are staying in UK  for 2025.

also get headlight correction stickers so you dont blind oncoming traffic 

12 minutes ago, festervas said:

also get headlight correction stickers so you dont blind oncoming traffic 

Mentioned weeks ago. Don't worry, I know how tough it is when a thread gets to 5 posts or more to be original...  

Just now, StephenFord said:

Mentioned weeks ago. Don't worry, I know how tough it is when a thread gets to 5 posts or more to be original...  

I did read them all i must have missed it my bad 🙃