Euro Travel - lights and bulb kits
Discussion
Hi all,
I'll be doing some touring next month, taking in 7 countries, going to northern Italy and back. Really looking forward to it :-)
I'm pretty much ready to go now, but i'm a bit stumped as far as adjusting the headlights go. The kit i bought from Halfords doesn't list the Griff but does talk of experimenting with placing the bits of sticker in different places to cut down on dazzle. Anyone done this successfully? Any tips?
Also, again in Halfords, the Griff isn't listed in the bulb kit section. Short of matching wattages from the manual with items on the shelf, can anyone vouch for a particular bulb kit?
Cheers,
Steve.
I'll be doing some touring next month, taking in 7 countries, going to northern Italy and back. Really looking forward to it :-)
I'm pretty much ready to go now, but i'm a bit stumped as far as adjusting the headlights go. The kit i bought from Halfords doesn't list the Griff but does talk of experimenting with placing the bits of sticker in different places to cut down on dazzle. Anyone done this successfully? Any tips?
Also, again in Halfords, the Griff isn't listed in the bulb kit section. Short of matching wattages from the manual with items on the shelf, can anyone vouch for a particular bulb kit?
Cheers,
Steve.
Don't bother with trying to tape lights . . . no-one bothers these days and also the lense is 20cms away from the cowl so the bit of tape will have little to any effect on a Griffith.
As for bulbs, in my last 10yrs with TVR's on the continent I have never been asked for a bulb kit etc etc or the years before in other cars either . . I do carry the old bulbs I had left over from when I replaced all mine for LED's & HID's, so I understand your desire to at least offer something.
If you want actual spare bulbs then most of the TVR stuff is run of the mill spec, if you want something to show the Gendarmes etc then buy the cheapest kit you can find (some of which will fit the TVR) To get a fully compliant kit would be difficult, due to pin offsets etc etc, so I'd go with getting your local motor factors to match what's in the car for replacements and pack them.
Don't forget your warning triangle and hi-vis, that does get the continentals very excited if you haven't got them . . . If you're going no the Swiss motorways make sure you have your Carnet to trvael, can be bought off Ebay cheaper then at the border control when they spot it's missing.
Also check in a disposable camera in the glovebox in case there are any incidents and a European Acc Form.
As for bulbs, in my last 10yrs with TVR's on the continent I have never been asked for a bulb kit etc etc or the years before in other cars either . . I do carry the old bulbs I had left over from when I replaced all mine for LED's & HID's, so I understand your desire to at least offer something.
If you want actual spare bulbs then most of the TVR stuff is run of the mill spec, if you want something to show the Gendarmes etc then buy the cheapest kit you can find (some of which will fit the TVR) To get a fully compliant kit would be difficult, due to pin offsets etc etc, so I'd go with getting your local motor factors to match what's in the car for replacements and pack them.
Don't forget your warning triangle and hi-vis, that does get the continentals very excited if you haven't got them . . . If you're going no the Swiss motorways make sure you have your Carnet to trvael, can be bought off Ebay cheaper then at the border control when they spot it's missing.
Also check in a disposable camera in the glovebox in case there are any incidents and a European Acc Form.
Thanks for the swift reply Johno. You're not the first person to suggest to me not to worry about converting the lights! I find it hard believe the standard light could dazzle anyone anyway!
You're spot on - i'm pretty much after something to show the police, but it would be handy if it also fitted something. I can't see me changing a front headlight bulb on the side of a road to be honest! I'll just head for a garage... There are a couple of websites that claim to be able to match kits to cars so i'll have a look.
Thanks for the heads-up re: the vignette. I hadn't realised you could buy in advance :-)
You're spot on - i'm pretty much after something to show the police, but it would be handy if it also fitted something. I can't see me changing a front headlight bulb on the side of a road to be honest! I'll just head for a garage... There are a couple of websites that claim to be able to match kits to cars so i'll have a look.
Thanks for the heads-up re: the vignette. I hadn't realised you could buy in advance :-)
When I went to France, I shone my headlights onto my garage and stuck on the tape to cut out the raised illuminated bit on the left of both beams.
You should keep at least one hi-viz jacket IN the cabin - being out of the car without one on is illegal in France (even if you're just going to get it from the boot).
You should keep at least one hi-viz jacket IN the cabin - being out of the car without one on is illegal in France (even if you're just going to get it from the boot).
Re Hi-viz in France. It is now a legal requirement to carry one hi-viz vest for each passenger (& the driver!) INSIDE the vehicle.
Also watch out for both fixed AND mobile speed cameras. Some are rear facing, some front facing. If you're stopped by a mobile one it can get VERY expensive - even up to losing the car!! (The French gave finally cottoned on to the idea they can make shed loads of money this way)
The 'D' roads in France are fantastic (and much less policed.....)
Enjoy your trip
Also watch out for both fixed AND mobile speed cameras. Some are rear facing, some front facing. If you're stopped by a mobile one it can get VERY expensive - even up to losing the car!! (The French gave finally cottoned on to the idea they can make shed loads of money this way)
The 'D' roads in France are fantastic (and much less policed.....)
Enjoy your trip
tivver500 said:
If you're stopped by a mobile one it can get VERY expensive - even up to losing the car!!
A few years back now, we got pulled over on the autoroute and got hit by a 90E cash fine <sigh>. That day, we came across a few more, including a spotter hidden bwlow a bridge parapet with the rest waiting at the next roundabout. The gendarmerie wear dark blue and NOT hi-viz....We weren't going to Le Mans this year but on the Friday afternoon of the w/e we were going down the M'way from Calais towards Rouen and saw a traffic cop with his blues on and using a radar gun standing /hiding behind the support of a large road sign at the side of the road and several motorcycle cops were hidden round the back from him. He would have been quite difficult to spot even if we had been keeping an eye out for him but we were legal so not a problem for us but ...
Jim
Jim
They are very hot on speed checks in France nowadays and, as stated, it's not uncommon for them to 'hide'. Beware of unmarked estate cars parked by the roadside, can have radar mounted in the back / through rear window. Also, bikes tend to work in pairs and small tripods can just be left on the hard shoulder - not the easiest of things to spot - with cars/bikes further up the road.
Currently, most fixed camera sites have advanced warning signs, but they have now stated that they will start removing the warning signs. Many of the currently unsigned ones are on the city ring roads.
I do miss our potholes though, it seems strange not to keep watching the road surface and trying to avoid them; funny what you get used to
Currently, most fixed camera sites have advanced warning signs, but they have now stated that they will start removing the warning signs. Many of the currently unsigned ones are on the city ring roads.
I do miss our potholes though, it seems strange not to keep watching the road surface and trying to avoid them; funny what you get used to
I just got back from Germany and I took the cheapest bulb/deflector kits I could buy off of e-bay. The deflectors are fairly transparent anyway, and as there are no fitting guides for Tivs, I just stuck them across the middle of the lamps. You could put a bit of wood infront of the N/S headlight on full beam and place the deflector to cover the high part of the beam as shinning on the wood!
The locals were definately using their warning triangles and high vis' when they broke down though.
The locals were definately using their warning triangles and high vis' when they broke down though.
As has been said on this thread before....
Hi-viz: Seems some confusion as to how many to have in the cockpit with you. You only have 2 seats, so its not going to cost a lot to have two vests inside with you - certainly cost you less than finding out you needed two when you only have one!
Headlights: Just slap on a couple of stickers anyway. It won't affect the (useless) lights, but again, why poke sticks?
Warning triangle is a must. But if you end up at the side of the motorway and set it up don't forget to collect it and put it back in the car afterwards!! I have two or three lying at the side of some foreign motorway! If you haven't got the little GB on the number plate you are meant to have a GB sticker on the back of your car too. If you put one on, smear a bit of vaseline on the paint before and stick the sticker on the vaseline. It will much easier to peel off afterwards.
First aid kit and bulb kit: Again, can't hurt to have in the boot, even if it is just to show some continental plod, rather than actually have bulbs that would fit in it.
One last thing: Some countries (Austria and Hungary for example) you are required to have registration, MOT and insurance papers in the car. Just photocopy them so you can produce them on demand.
I drove to/from Hungary about 6 times and regularly got stopped for random checks. Sometimes it was the full monty and they checked everything, sometimes it was just to see the registration papers (V5) and passport and motorway toll ticket (vignette) and other times it was just so they could check out the car!! "How big engine? How fast car?"
Enjoy the trip regardless!!
Hi-viz: Seems some confusion as to how many to have in the cockpit with you. You only have 2 seats, so its not going to cost a lot to have two vests inside with you - certainly cost you less than finding out you needed two when you only have one!
Headlights: Just slap on a couple of stickers anyway. It won't affect the (useless) lights, but again, why poke sticks?
Warning triangle is a must. But if you end up at the side of the motorway and set it up don't forget to collect it and put it back in the car afterwards!! I have two or three lying at the side of some foreign motorway! If you haven't got the little GB on the number plate you are meant to have a GB sticker on the back of your car too. If you put one on, smear a bit of vaseline on the paint before and stick the sticker on the vaseline. It will much easier to peel off afterwards.
First aid kit and bulb kit: Again, can't hurt to have in the boot, even if it is just to show some continental plod, rather than actually have bulbs that would fit in it.
One last thing: Some countries (Austria and Hungary for example) you are required to have registration, MOT and insurance papers in the car. Just photocopy them so you can produce them on demand.
I drove to/from Hungary about 6 times and regularly got stopped for random checks. Sometimes it was the full monty and they checked everything, sometimes it was just to see the registration papers (V5) and passport and motorway toll ticket (vignette) and other times it was just so they could check out the car!! "How big engine? How fast car?"
Enjoy the trip regardless!!
The Red Baron said:
As has been said on this thread before....
Hi-viz: Seems some confusion as to how many to have in the cockpit with you. You only have 2 seats, so its not going to cost a lot to have two vests inside with you - certainly cost you less than finding out you needed two when you only have one!
Headlights: Just slap on a couple of stickers anyway. It won't affect the (useless) lights, but again, why poke sticks?
Warning triangle is a must. But if you end up at the side of the motorway and set it up don't forget to collect it and put it back in the car afterwards!! I have two or three lying at the side of some foreign motorway! If you haven't got the little GB on the number plate you are meant to have a GB sticker on the back of your car too. If you put one on, smear a bit of vaseline on the paint before and stick the sticker on the vaseline. It will much easier to peel off afterwards.
First aid kit and bulb kit: Again, can't hurt to have in the boot, even if it is just to show some continental plod, rather than actually have bulbs that would fit in it.
One last thing: Some countries (Austria and Hungary for example) you are required to have registration, MOT and insurance papers in the car. Just photocopy them so you can produce them on demand.
I drove to/from Hungary about 6 times and regularly got stopped for random checks. Sometimes it was the full monty and they checked everything, sometimes it was just to see the registration papers (V5) and passport and motorway toll ticket (vignette) and other times it was just so they could check out the car!! "How big engine? How fast car?"
Enjoy the trip regardless!!
Good advice.Hi-viz: Seems some confusion as to how many to have in the cockpit with you. You only have 2 seats, so its not going to cost a lot to have two vests inside with you - certainly cost you less than finding out you needed two when you only have one!
Headlights: Just slap on a couple of stickers anyway. It won't affect the (useless) lights, but again, why poke sticks?
Warning triangle is a must. But if you end up at the side of the motorway and set it up don't forget to collect it and put it back in the car afterwards!! I have two or three lying at the side of some foreign motorway! If you haven't got the little GB on the number plate you are meant to have a GB sticker on the back of your car too. If you put one on, smear a bit of vaseline on the paint before and stick the sticker on the vaseline. It will much easier to peel off afterwards.
First aid kit and bulb kit: Again, can't hurt to have in the boot, even if it is just to show some continental plod, rather than actually have bulbs that would fit in it.
One last thing: Some countries (Austria and Hungary for example) you are required to have registration, MOT and insurance papers in the car. Just photocopy them so you can produce them on demand.
I drove to/from Hungary about 6 times and regularly got stopped for random checks. Sometimes it was the full monty and they checked everything, sometimes it was just to see the registration papers (V5) and passport and motorway toll ticket (vignette) and other times it was just so they could check out the car!! "How big engine? How fast car?"
Enjoy the trip regardless!!
To be clear so as to remove the confusion. The law is one hi viz for the driver of the car within reach, not in the boot. They are not obligatory for the passengers, in France.
When in the TVR we carry both as suggested as why wouldn't you, but in our French car we only carry the one as it has 7 seats, otherwise it would mean i'd have to take a safety clothing boutique with me every time i drove to work
The other eason for carrying both is the position in each of your other countries to visit . . . I know the law here in France, as suggested take 2 as i can't say with the same certainty for each of the others.
Good tip re: photocopying documents. We're only staying one night in Innsbruck but it's not worth the hassle not to.
Had a word with by mechanic this morning about the light as he showed me the 'fans permenantly on' trick and he said not to bother about them too!
Can't wait for Saturday now :-)
Had a word with by mechanic this morning about the light as he showed me the 'fans permenantly on' trick and he said not to bother about them too!
Can't wait for Saturday now :-)
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