MY2010 D5 V70 SE LUX - Prep for drive to S. France

[uknowiama]

Looking for a quick holiday to South of France at end of August. Euro Tunnel booked for early 1am Sunday morning. Then between two of us going to drive non-stop to south coast. 1000+ Km 600+ miles.

Looking to do this in my car. As is the work horse. 142k miles on it. Volvo V70 D5 Auto. SE LUX. Find it very good at a long cruise. Car is starting to feel its age.

What sort of things to do in preparation for a long trip. Michelin Primacy all round. Might need a new pair on front before. Relatively new pair on back.

Auto gearbox had fluid refreshed less than 10k miles ago. Seems to shift ok. Maybe better? But the only comparison I have is a 8-Speed x3 30d, 420d of XC40 - obvs all newer.

Engine mounts. Upper torque arm (correct name - visible at top) done a year ago. Is there a lower equivalent. Engine feels like moves around under load? Rock forward and back. Tend to drive around it by coming off throttle a bit gentler? Maybe worth refreshing all engine mounts?

Engine itself seems to be running good. Although with commuting less. I do notice when not been used for a couple of days? But on a run. Is fine. Boosts fine. Pulls really well.

Will get brakes (pads and discs) checked and replaced if due.

Then anyone got any experiences of doing this run before? Advice for the drive? Have driven in France, Belgium, Netherlands before. Both LHD and RHD cars. First time for the other half. Just found out about what food stuffs can and can’t take with - bearing in mind the early morning drive.

Thanks in advance for any help, comments.

[Pidgeonpost]

Sounds like fun. You sound reasonably well prepared. In the days when I used to do similar trips it was pretty standard to do an engine oil and filter change, check and/or replace any iffy belts or take a spare. Same with coolant hoses - replace or take as spares. Used to take a selection of hand tools too. But I'm an old f**t - does anyone take half a workshop with them these days?

[yostumpy]

take a quick look at a road map before you go, and plan a route that goes AROUND Lyon, as sat nav will take you through, and it is a pain. Just come back, 1700 miles all in.

[nick66]

You probably know it, but you will need proof of either booster vaccine shot no older than 9 months OR approved negative test no older than 3 days to enter France

[Tatsfield]

Strictly, the car should display a "UK" international plate as the "GB" plate no longer applies to the UK. Another mad Brexit requirement. I don't understand what was wrong with the GB plates.

[uknowiama]

Originally Posted by Tatsfield

Strictly, the car should display a "UK" international plate as the "GB" plate no longer applies to the UK. Another mad Brexit requirement. I don't understand what was wrong with the GB plates.

Thanks. Aware of this, I have GB plates on the car… UK was to include Northern Ireland which is part of UK but not part of GB.

[Oak]

Beam blockers/benders for the lights. The alcohol testers thing is now gone thankfully.

High-vis jackets you can reach without getting out of the car.

Do take your insurance cert for the car - very handy if you get stopped.

Had a Satnav too instead of using data on a mobile for routes and planning. Obvs one that covers Europe and updated as new as it can be (or use a mobile which is clearly easier but MAY cost)

If you DO use a mobile/satnav the French are VERY funny about displaying speed cameras. Systems are NOT allowed to display this detail so worth disabling it if you can and then sticking to indicated limits.

Breakdown cover!! I've just come back from France in my V70 - Well I wasn't IN the V70 and it was on the back of a recovery truck....

I used CBC (a broker) and it was about 80£ for an annual policy including European cover. Worth every penny in the end. Broke down once in France and recovered back and then again in the UK. Car HAD been very reliable and had never broken down/not started before. It's still not fixed and remains on the drive

https://www.comparebreakdowncover.co.uk/

[uknowiama]

Originally Posted by nick66

You probably know it, but you will need proof of either booster vaccine shot no older than 9 months OR approved negative test no older than 3 days to enter France

Thanks will double check - had 3 vaccinations - proff of all stored on phone in Apple Wallet - but will double check reqs, dates, etc.

[uknowiama]

Originally Posted by Oak

Beam blockers/benders for the lights. The alcohol testers thing is now gone thankfully.

High-vis jackets you can reach without getting out of the car.

Do take your insurance cert for the car - very handy if you get stopped.

Had a Satnav too instead of using data on a mobile for routes and planning. Obvs one that covers Europe and updated as new as it can be (or use a mobile which is clearly easier but MAY cost)

If you DO use a mobile/satnav the French are VERY funny about displaying speed cameras. Systems are NOT allowed to display this detail so worth disabling it if you can and then sticking to indicated limits.

Breakdown cover!! I've just come back from France in my V70 - Well I wasn't IN the V70 and it was on the back of a recovery truck....

I used CBC (a broker) and it was about 80£ for an annual policy including European cover. Worth every penny in the end. Broke down once in France and recovered back and then again in the UK. Car HAD been very reliable and had never broken down/not started before. It's still not fixed and remains on the drive

https://www.comparebreakdowncover.co.uk/

Lights - Have ABL - there is a switch on the back of projector to switch over RHD to LHD.

Hi vis jackets - I had - stuffed in front seat squab pockets so easy to get to if break down.

Checked docs req - V5, insurance docs, emissions sticker order - might need in Marseille.

SatNav - I have unlimited data - and can roam in EU / France for free - on this contract - for now - thinking using Phone / iPad that sits on dash mount. Using Waze so disbaling Speed Camera info. Might still buy a Michelin Map..

Breakdown Cover - RAC cover is up in Aug 12th, not going away until 29th or so. So will look to add EU cover to next year. Whether stay with RAC or use someone else. Can't get renewal from RAC yet.

[uknowiama]

Car has been into local trusted garage for check over and they understand wanting to do the long drive.

Front tyres on way out.
All pads and discs 70% worn.
Front passenger side drop link worn out.
No oil leaks - I asked as picked up on MOT - since I have retightened loose breather hose.

New tyres going on this afternoon - pair of Michelin Primacy (same as back)
Bought some new discs and pads for front - they will be replaced
Pair of front drop links to be replaced

Am also going to
refresh the rear power tail gate - new lifters and rubber stops.
fit oil dipstick mod - proper dipstick

Will prob look at doing an oil and filter change too. Might do self.