General: - Preparations to European trip

bugi666 · Feb 27th, 2011, 13:35

Guys,

I'm going for a month trip in April, possibly 3-4k miles around Europe...

I was wondering what I should check etc before I go... THe car is running fine at the moment, plenty of thread on tyres, only "bad" thing is very quiet noise coming from front left wheel from time to time when I go over speed bumps... I'm sure it wasn't there few months ago ... So maybe checking the front suspension?

Apart from that, I was thinking about replacing the engine oil and maybe replacing air filter with some KN stuff (have anyone got these on 2.4 diesel?).

Also, knowing the wheel bearings in xc90 can go quite quickly, any chance of checking them before the trip? Or it's matter "no sign beforehand, once they go, it's too late

" ?

Other things I think I need ...
I've got emergency triangle, tempa spare wheel, will get 4 high-vis jackets and fire extinguisher soon. 2 sat-nav's available (iGo8 on the phone, and Mio340), I will take all the papers (V5, insurance details etc.)... GB sticker, headlight stickers are already in the boot

I've also got Volvo breakdown cover (EU) so in case of any emergency I should be fine...

Thank you for any tips etc..

JimG · Feb 27th, 2011, 15:07

What's the current age and mileage of you car?

I should imagine if it's been serviced regularly then you shouldn't have any issues.

Make sure the Hi-Vis jackets are in the passenger compartment. A colleague was stopped on the motorway by the police in France and was given a fine when he got out the car without the Hi-Vis on. They stopped him just to make him get out the car and commit the offence, no other reason.

Big Stew · Feb 27th, 2011, 15:26

Spain and Croatia now require 2 triangles , one for just behind the car and the other to set up at a distance. Also Switzerland require that it is carried in the passenger compartment and not the boot.

S60D5-185 · Feb 27th, 2011, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugi666

Guys,

I'm going for a month trip in April, possibly 3-4k miles around Europe...

I was wondering what I should check etc before I go... THe car is running fine at the moment, plenty of thread on tyres, only "bad" thing is very quiet noise coming from front left wheel from time to time when I go over speed bumps... I'm sure it wasn't there few months ago ... So maybe checking the front suspension?

Apart from that, I was thinking about replacing the engine oil and maybe replacing air filter with some KN stuff (have anyone got these on 2.4 diesel?).
Also, knowing the wheel bearings in xc90 can go quite quickly, any chance of checking them before the trip? Or it's matter "no sign beforehand, once they go, it's too late

" ?

Other things I think I need ...
I've got emergency triangle, tempa spare wheel, will get 4 high-vis jackets and fire extinguisher soon. 2 sat-nav's available (iGo8 on the phone, and Mio340), I will take all the papers (V5, insurance details etc.)... GB sticker, headlight stickers are already in the boot

I've also got Volvo breakdown cover (EU) so in case of any emergency I should be fine...

Thank you for any tips etc..

All the above sounds good BUT!

Dont bother with K+N . Genuine filter will make more sense and be one hell of a lot cheaper. Tried K+N's before and no problems BUT no advantage either for a lot of money!

Darryl

ex Triumph Man · Feb 27th, 2011, 18:22

Don't know if you wear glasses or not, but some countries insist you have a spare pair in the car too.

Meant to add spare bulbs as well

bugi666 · Feb 27th, 2011, 20:14

It's a 05 reg, 83k miles on the clock. Timing belt has been replaced at 78k. I know that the rear bearings have been replaced in 2008 (if I remember correctly). Otherwise the car drives just fine ...

Noted the spare bulbs.

I've checked another thing today = my top engine mount is the new one

so that's fine - as far as I know the splined sleeve is the original one as well, but still working.... I'm not planning any off road, or driving on a hill terrain, pretty much sticking to the motorways and autobahns ...

Thanks for all the tips, keep them coming!

bugi666 · Feb 27th, 2011, 21:33

BTW how do I know which type of headlight lamp my car got? Looking at bay, there is a few spare bulb kits, but not sure if any of them got the correct lights... I remember my dealer had "bi-xenon lights" stated in the advert when I was buying the car ... Are these D2S ?

Ron_XC90 · Feb 27th, 2011, 22:58

Some european Countries require you to carry a first aid kit as well. Make sure your Insurance covers you fully comp abroad, as a lot only cover third party.

bugi666 · Feb 28th, 2011, 10:13

First aid kit is already in the back - I will move it, together with hi-vis jackets and triangle to the passenger compartment before the trip.

Any comments regarding oil change and some mechanical checks?
I'm planning to get some Motul 8100 oil and change it next week maybe...

bugi666 · Mar 2nd, 2011, 10:18

Forgotten to mention... what really, I mean REALLY drive me mad is that I bought the car in June 2010 and I still did not receive Volvo breakdown cover papers. I tried to chase them up number of times, last time in December, and the papers are still not there...
when I call Volvo, I am being constantly switched between : Volvo Warranty, volvo Breakdown, Mondial Breakdown - all round - and still no result...
I phoned them this morning and they claim that even if I order these papers again TODAY, whey WILL NOT arrieve before I go (mid-April) !!!!! Is this a f......g joke ????
When I said I requested them in December, I was very quickly reminded, that they did not arrive probably due to ... SNOW !!!!

I am officially p....d off at Volvo Warranty/Breakdown departments - I'm happy to fill a complaint, as I think I tried everything, and still after nearly 10 months I do not have the papers!!!

And I feel I need to buy an extra AA or RAC cover before I go, because I have lost all my faith in this bloody company... I'm sure in case of an emergency I will be countlessly transferred between Volvo/Breakdown/Mondial and God knows what else ...

What breakdown cover should I get for an European trip? I have briefly looked at AA website, and they're quite expensive (I got a quote for around 300 pounds .... )...

Feb 27th, 2011, 13:35	#1
bugi666 Member Last Online: Nov 1st, 2011 18:49 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dumbarton	Preparations to European trip Guys, I'm going for a month trip in April, possibly 3-4k miles around Europe... I was wondering what I should check etc before I go... THe car is running fine at the moment, plenty of thread on tyres, only "bad" thing is very quiet noise coming from front left wheel from time to time when I go over speed bumps... I'm sure it wasn't there few months ago ... So maybe checking the front suspension? Apart from that, I was thinking about replacing the engine oil and maybe replacing air filter with some KN stuff (have anyone got these on 2.4 diesel?). Also, knowing the wheel bearings in xc90 can go quite quickly, any chance of checking them before the trip? Or it's matter "no sign beforehand, once they go, it's too late " ? Other things I think I need ... I've got emergency triangle, tempa spare wheel, will get 4 high-vis jackets and fire extinguisher soon. 2 sat-nav's available (iGo8 on the phone, and Mio340), I will take all the papers (V5, insurance details etc.)... GB sticker, headlight stickers are already in the boot I've also got Volvo breakdown cover (EU) so in case of any emergency I should be fine... Thank you for any tips etc..

Feb 27th, 2011, 15:26	#3
Big Stew Member Last Online: Sep 18th, 2013 00:18 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Horncastle	Spain and Croatia now require 2 triangles , one for just behind the car and the other to set up at a distance. Also Switzerland require that it is carried in the passenger compartment and not the boot. Last edited by Big Stew; Feb 27th, 2011 at 15:33.

Feb 27th, 2011, 18:22	#5
ex Triumph Man Senior Member Last Online: Nov 4th, 2018 19:22 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kirkcudbright	Don't know if you wear glasses or not, but some countries insist you have a spare pair in the car too. Meant to add spare bulbs as well Last edited by ex Triumph Man; Feb 27th, 2011 at 18:23. Reason: Forget bit about the bulbs

Feb 27th, 2011, 22:58	#8
Ron_XC90 Master Member Last Online: May 19th, 2014 11:33 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Redditch View Photos By: Ron_XC90	Some european Countries require you to carry a first aid kit as well. Make sure your Insurance covers you fully comp abroad, as a lot only cover third party. __________________ Chrysler Grand Voyager 2.8 CRD Limited 2010 XC90 D5 SE Geartronic, MY2008 (Now sold) Mitsi Pajero 2.8TD Super Exceed '96 (My Toy) Member of the Gloucestershire & Worcestershire 4x4 Response group. www.gw4x4r.co.uk

Feb 27th, 2011, 15:07	#2
JimG Premier Member Last Online: Apr 1st, 2021 09:00 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kent	What's the current age and mileage of you car? I should imagine if it's been serviced regularly then you shouldn't have any issues. Make sure the Hi-Vis jackets are in the passenger compartment. A colleague was stopped on the motorway by the police in France and was given a fine when he got out the car without the Hi-Vis on. They stopped him just to make him get out the car and commit the offence, no other reason.

Feb 27th, 2011, 20:14	#6
bugi666 Member Last Online: Nov 1st, 2011 18:49 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dumbarton	It's a 05 reg, 83k miles on the clock. Timing belt has been replaced at 78k. I know that the rear bearings have been replaced in 2008 (if I remember correctly). Otherwise the car drives just fine ... Noted the spare bulbs. I've checked another thing today = my top engine mount is the new one so that's fine - as far as I know the splined sleeve is the original one as well, but still working.... I'm not planning any off road, or driving on a hill terrain, pretty much sticking to the motorways and autobahns ... Thanks for all the tips, keep them coming!

Feb 27th, 2011, 21:33	#7
bugi666 Member Last Online: Nov 1st, 2011 18:49 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dumbarton	BTW how do I know which type of headlight lamp my car got? Looking at bay, there is a few spare bulb kits, but not sure if any of them got the correct lights... I remember my dealer had "bi-xenon lights" stated in the advert when I was buying the car ... Are these D2S ?

Feb 28th, 2011, 10:13	#9
bugi666 Member Last Online: Nov 1st, 2011 18:49 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dumbarton	First aid kit is already in the back - I will move it, together with hi-vis jackets and triangle to the passenger compartment before the trip. Any comments regarding oil change and some mechanical checks? I'm planning to get some Motul 8100 oil and change it next week maybe...

Mar 2nd, 2011, 10:18	#10
bugi666 Member Last Online: Nov 1st, 2011 18:49 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dumbarton	Forgotten to mention... what really, I mean REALLY drive me mad is that I bought the car in June 2010 and I still did not receive Volvo breakdown cover papers. I tried to chase them up number of times, last time in December, and the papers are still not there... when I call Volvo, I am being constantly switched between : Volvo Warranty, volvo Breakdown, Mondial Breakdown - all round - and still no result... I phoned them this morning and they claim that even if I order these papers again TODAY, whey WILL NOT arrieve before I go (mid-April) !!!!! Is this a f......g joke ???? When I said I requested them in December, I was very quickly reminded, that they did not arrive probably due to ... SNOW !!!! I am officially p....d off at Volvo Warranty/Breakdown departments - I'm happy to fill a complaint, as I think I tried everything, and still after nearly 10 months I do not have the papers!!! And I feel I need to buy an extra AA or RAC cover before I go, because I have lost all my faith in this bloody company... I'm sure in case of an emergency I will be countlessly transferred between Volvo/Breakdown/Mondial and God knows what else ... What breakdown cover should I get for an European trip? I have briefly looked at AA website, and they're quite expensive (I got a quote for around 300 pounds .... )...

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