Driving in France
 

We are going to France this weekend for 2 weeks. Finally I have a car where I don't need to mess with the headlights.

Anyhow, I have the integrated satnav with the control box under the boot floor and the software comes on 4 discs. Following another users suggestion that if I waited to get to France and wanted a postcode, I would need to insert a different disc, I entered all the destinations a few days ago. However, I still have not been asked to insert any other disc than the current UK one. The system seems to have all the data it needs, so I have 2 questions.

1. Will I need to insert the other disc at some stage, if so, I would rather do it now, ie should I put the disc with France in before I go?
2. If I don't need the other discs, what are they for?

Cheers.

I think France is already included on the disk you have in the drive. IIRC, it has UK, Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal already on the one disc.

You can see the countries covered either on the disc itself or in the settings menu and the option for 'about' or something similar.

The other discs are for other areas of Europe - again it should say on the disc what each one is for.

We are sailing Hull=>Zeebrugge, Will it expect the Dutch map?, or can I drive through to France OK. I think someone said that all the roads were on each disc, you only needed to change it if you wanted to access addresses and post codes?

Might be worth lobbing the discs in your glove box if you're going Dutch. Just in case.

I always carry all the discs with me, it's the location of the dvd drive that's the issue when you have a boot full of luggage and 2 bikes on the back !

If you have saved all your destinations and way points, you can run with any of the 4 disc's installed.
Each disc covers the whole road network.
You will only have to put in another disc, if you wish another destination, that is not covered, by the installed one.

Took issue with VUK when I first took delivery of the XC60, about location of the DVD unit.
Just think of the hassle of having to change a disc, with a boot full of baggage and equipment and it is raining, etc.

tem.

Be careful with the drinks, while on P&O.

Last year I was breathalysed 4 times (as was every other driver), when travelling with DFDS, to the Netherlands.

Rumor, has it, the Belgium police, may be implementing, the same policy.

So far, this year, I have not had any problems (Two landings in the Netherlands and One in Belgium).

Next trip. 21st August, landing in the Netherlands.

Final observation, watch your speed while on the French Motorways, exceed and it could cost you, a Euro 400, instant fine.

Happy holiday.

tem.

Did they breathalize you/other drivers whilst disembarking or on the road close to terminal?

Within the terminal, after going through Passport Control.

tem.

Landing on the continent
 

I was travelling on the Hull - Rotterdam in March this year and over the years have done so many times. For the first time the Police were out in force (approx 15 - 20) and they breathalysed every single driver!! So those that like a little tipple on the overnight ferry, beware - fines in Holland can be extreme. That applies to speeding too. I have known friends caught speeding in Belgium who have been taken to the nearest cash point to pay rather heavy fines!

Can someone enlighten me please.

Do I therefore not need to put stickers on my headlamps if going over the channel ? And if not...how do I change to continental settings?

thanks.....

Only with Xenon lights, then it's set "Temp RH Lights" in the menu. Xenon on SE trim and above AFAIK.

Correction:
Active Bending Lights with Dual Xenon technology is on trim SE Lux only.

I think that the original post refers to the XC60, with the Active Bending Headlights.
These can be adjusted, with the touch of a button, for Left to Right Hand driving. (Have this system, on my XC60)

If you do not have the above, there should be information, contained within the owners hand book.
On the XC90, I used a strip of electrical tape, dimensions, taken from the handbook.

Driving, in the summer months, should not pose too big a problem, but once it gets dark, you will soon get flashed, by on coming traffic and eventually, pulled over, by the Police, especially, in France.

Be safe and avoid paying Euro fines, by fitting the deflectors (stickers).

Another point, reflective jackets/vests are now mandatory in France, along with other European countries.

If you are not a seasoned driver, in Europe, I suggest one looks at the AA website. There you will obtain all the latest info, regarding, driving in Europe.

tem.

The Netherlands will even impound your car if you are driving quickly enough! It used to be above 150kph, but lately I have been pushed to get above 80kph in the Netherlands due to congestion :)

The Netherlands will even impound your car if you are driving quickly enough! It used to be above 150kph, but lately I have been pushed to get above 80kph in the Netherlands due to congestion :)

And we think our roads are bad!!

*sorry about double post - not sure what happened there*

Driving in France
 

New to this site and find this all interesting as I have just purchased a XC 60
D5 se lux premium and have had misleading informaation from the dealer on the lights. They said that as there was no button on the dash I did not have active lights and to switch sides the lamps had to be removed, but as stated by others mine can be switched from the main menu !
Also if using a ferry and it is a rough crossing you can cancel the motion part of the alarm also on the main menu.This appears to reset to normal full alarm next time you use the car.

Pretty poor product knowledge from your dealer, but fortunately there are forums like this. Case in point: I was not aware of the motion sensor disable feature...

Do you have integrated SatNav in yours? If so, what version of map discs came with your car? I'm trying to get an update from Volvo but no luck so far; refer to my previous post:
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=97219

Driving in France
 

Sorry for delay, but boot full over week end, discs all marked 09 for the built in sat nav. Have the form for the free updates, but not sent it off yet.
Assume my car is what you call a 2010 model, orderded 1 st week Feb. for end March delivery slot received in June !
Car came with heated front seats as standard and these appear to be extras on 2011.

Have used sat nav and seems better than press reports, off to France Thursday and will try it out over there.

The other thing i heard recently is that at ports in France (Calais particularly) police are out in force giving on the spot fines (£80 i think) to anyone who cannot produce a high vis jacket and triangle. Obviously short of a bit of cash, and it's easy pickings - so makes sure you've got everything you need.

Might want to have got the triangle out of the boot before you pack the car, for this reason...

Where is the option to switch headlights for driving in Europe please?

Depends on what type of lights you have wether there is a option in the menu.

If you have active xenon headlights there is no adjustment required.

I had exactly the same problem with volvo claiming ( volvo customer services and also the dealer said the same) that the active bending headlights on my xc60 had a software solution to change from left hand to right hand traffic. Also they said the beam was flat and complied with european regs anyway.
After i purchased the car and took it back to france, i took it into a french mot station to check the above. This was because on the trip back to france we had fog, and i could clearly see the beam pointing towards the left hand side which meant it blinded the oncoming traffic.
So the mot guy showed me the beam in his headlight testing machine and it was a clear fail. The beam pointed left, and it was upturned to iluminate the lh curb. After further investigations i found out that the european headlight for rh traffic had a different part number and the headlights would have to be replaced at a cost of 1800 euros. These headlights in the same machine pointed right and were upturned on the rh curb and were a pass. The active main beam headlights have a change over to rh traffic via the meanu, but active dipped beam headlights like mine dont. Dont ask me why.
On the subject of gendarmes, there are certain times of day and times of the month you need to be extra careful. Gendarmes are paid a monthly bonus for tickets. If they have not reached bonus by the end of the month you will see a few road blocks at choke points on the last few days of the month. The roads chosen will switch from day to day. The stops will involve breathaliser and car inspections. For tourists it will also be a check your headlights comply( have you got deflectors) and you can argue all you like that you dont need them, but as they cant test them you will still get a ticket if they want to be difficult. Usually they will just flag you on and pull in the french. Make sure you have high viz jackets for all passengers.
On the time of day it will be just after lunch, that you will get road blocks or evening.
There is another silly law in france now about tyres. They have to be the same make on each axle. So a michelin and a Goodyear on the same axle is a no no. I know it does not matter in the uk. Watch out a traffic lights if following a lorry which blocks your veiw of the lights. Even if the lights were green you may get flagged down by a motorcycle cop claiming you went through a red light. The other one is when you come to a stop sign at a junction, count to four before moving off. This is a ninety euro fine. We have cops hiding behind trees counting how long you stop for and then leaping out infront of you if you move before four seconds.
Nobody uses the brethaliser self test kits anymore, so dont bother buying them on the ferry. You cant even buy them over here in france. Remember , any village its 50km even if the approach sign says 70. Other roads are 90. If its raining the speed drops by 10km. Around schools and town halls its usually 30 km. Dont be bullied by the french to speed up. Usually the french will try to overtake you even if they are on a skateboard. Let them.
Watch out for the people who drift over the center line,( usually on corners) hold your line and they will move back. Its a chicken thing they do with tourists. Exception to that is lorries, as they just do what they want to.
Roundabouts, don't mean you have right of way like in the uk. Silly I know but true.Treat it as check twice and then manouver, and you won't go far wrong.
A dash cam is a very good idea. If you have a sat nav which warns about speed cameras disable the function in the menu as that is a hefty fine in France. Gendarmes will look for this if they stop you.
I have driven on french roads for the last ten years and mostly its a good experience, but you can get caught out.

Different also depending on year. Check the manual for your car.

For xc60 MY 2014
Quote:
"Headlamps - adjusting headlamp pattern

If the car is equipped with active Xenon head- lamps and has the Active High Beam function then the headlamp pattern must be reset when changing from right to left-hand traffic, and vice versa.
Active Xenon headlamps*
No adjustment of the headlamp pattern is necessary for cars without the Active High Beam* function. The headlamp pattern is designed in such a way that oncoming traffic is not dazzled.
Headlamp pattern adjustment is required for cars with Active High Beam. The car must be stationary with the engine running when the headlamp pattern is shifted between right and left-hand traffic.
The headlamp pattern is changed in the menu system MY CAR, see MY CAR (p. 112).
Halogen headlamps
No adjustment of the headlamp pattern is necessary. The headlamp pattern is designed in such a way that oncoming traffic is not dazzled."

For MY2013 with halogen, though, the manual states you must use stickers and gives drawings of size and position.

Out of interest - on my MY2016 xc70 with ABL xenons I have to physically remove the headlights from the car and pull a little lever to change them from rh to lh pattern. Only takes 2-3 mins per side though.

Yep,absolutly right. However volvo dont have a clue which of the instructions apply to your car even if they have the reg and vin number. Incredible but true. I have beaten the subject to death with volvo customer services. It depends on what is fitted to the car, what software you have and if you have a little lever at the back of your headlights.
My dealer was also totally clueless even thought they had the car infront of them. They came up with ,no you cant do it, to yes you can do it and then finally settled on maybe you can/ cant do it!
I already factored the price of changing the headlights into buying the car and shipping it to france.
Another incredible fact is that you cannot change the speedo to kph. You just have a tiny little digital display activated by the function stalk.
Why is it on a car that probably has more electronics on board than a space shuttle and can probably tell if you have broken wind and therefor turn the aircon up a notch, you cannot have a simple change over function to kph. You can get any of the other units in metric but not the speedo. This is basic function you would expect from a premium car.

Thanks. I think some helpful members have established that the MY14 I have purchased has halogens so it looks as though there is no adjustment required.

Totally agree with you. You are able to instantly check what fuel consumption, distance to go on a tank, average speeds, odometer reading and trip metres in miles, kilometers, etc, but can't change the main speedo on the digital dash (you were actually better off with the analogue dash because you could at least get a fairly large digital kph readout in centre dash as a secondary display).

My belgian spec xc70 with digital dash didn't even have the little secondary display you mention, activated when I bought it. It took a couple of months with my local Service Manager talking to volvo BE, volvo Germany and volvo Sweden before we found out that the Belgian importers decided that having the little mph window was a waste of their time even though the handbook, in all three local languages, said it was available. Anyway, in the end we found that it could be switched on within VIDA.

While trying to find a solution to the secondary display issue I was told, and this may be of interest to you chrisfr, that it is easy enough to change the display from 'European' to UK spec, or vice versa with a small software install (paid of course!). In my case 90% of driving is done on the continent though, so left it in 'European' spec with the secondary mph readout now working for trips back to UK.

Deleted. Question already answered above.

That happened to me in the 90’s on the same crossing. I was still a bit rough but my curry breath probably put the copper off going anywhere near me but a German fella had already been done who was drinking on the next table to us.


TT

As mentioned above, my 2007 Civic had a MPH to Kilometres button on the dash, you pressed it and it switched the units over... Simples!! Why haven’t Volvo done this??

TT

Chrisfr slightly off topic, but, when you took your car to France (presumably UK spec) how did you change the rear fog light to operate on the left or did you get both working ?

My Old 'Y' the first time round MG Maestro 1600 had a button as well.

It’s a little sad that Volvo couldn’t have added this minor function

TT

Back from France on a quick break with another couple, we went thru Switzerland and purchased the obligatory road tax vignette upon entering roughly 40 euros.
On the return journey, departing Switzerland at the border checkpoint, we were pulled by the Swiss customs people.
Yhe female officer displayed a real arrogant, and rude attitude, we were asked to produce ID which we did. The female officer looked at my passport and the other passengers who had valid ID documents, she then stated "I need to check these out properly" and disappeared for 15 min with our documents. She came back saying our ID's were ok, but my vignette was not. She said it could be detached and used again for another vehicle. We produced the receipt showing it was only 3 days old. Also, they have NPR and thus could check if I was a regular visitor. I have not been in Switzerland for over two yrs tough she said and fined me 200 Swiss Francs or 180 euros.

Nice people

Soory to hear this saga.
So just what is the process you must follow with the Swiss Vignette to avoid the fine?

Indeed. Very strange.
I've just returned from Austria. They have a similar system but the Vignette can be purchased for 10 days, 2 months or annual. The Vignette is date stamped with a punch-out to visibly indicate the date of issue. I also suspect the Vignette 'self-destructs' on removal.
Regarding Switzerland, I'll be buying their Vignette later this year. I'll keep the paperwork.

Well I did not attach the vignette properly to the windscreen, it was purchased at 4:00 am, I just wanted to get back on the road to get to our destination so instead of peeling the adhesive backing off I tucked it against the windscreen using the little plastic clip which is part of the car.

Now I accept their argument that I could then sell it on or give it to a friend as it was not properly attached but we had the receipt, and they took the vignette away to check it double. I tried to explain it was a genuine error and they could check when it was purchased and how often I crossed their border. They were quite arrogant and just fined me a large amount about the cost of the vignette.

Their attitude of examing our passports at the car and then stating "we need to check these". 15 min she returned and stated these are ok and threw them at me. We are two middle-aged couples, law-abiding with no history of any criminal activity. Their attitude of arrogance and rudeness was appalling. In my job I travel a lot, I have had to deal with customs bring in equipment to different countries (carnets) and have always found customs to be professional and helpful. These guys were out for the kill, I have never had my passport taken to a back office for 15 min to be examined and then the arrogance.


EDIT: after some googling, the Swiss have a poor reputation, one example, a German pensioner drove his classic car with an older registration across the border. The Swiss deemed his car was not legal as it did not have an EU plate and seized it fining him 17000 Swiss francs. Be careful, its known as being "Swiszerlanded", lots of negative comments on their customs people.

Hi

Newbie here. Have just. Bought an xc90 that has a compressor and gunge instead of a spare. Is this ok for France or do I need to get a space saver or spare?

I was driving from Budapest to Bratislava, onto Vienna and then finally ending up in Paris not long ago. The sales guy I was with was looking a bit tired so I said I'd drive. Stopped the car and changed seats in this station - since the hire care was in his name I floored it. I don't think it would have been possible to get a Vauxhall Corsa to Paris any quicker.

However, the sales guy (who was French) turned round to me as we approached the French border: "Don't drive like that in France."

Apparently, they are extremely strict on speeding offences.

Pretty certain there is no law there requiring a spare wheel.
https://www.theaa.com/european-break...what-do-i-need has a link that confirms it. You do need to take your V5, warning triangle, enough hi-viz jackets for all in the car (& reachable from within the car!).