Driving to Spain

scorpio stu · 26th June 2011, 13:08

Hi
Not sure if this is in the right place or not.
We are driving 1400 miles down to Estepona on the Costa Del Sol at the end of July for a few weeks. Can't wait to get on the journey in the 75 .
I need some advice on what to check in the next few weeks on the car so as its in tip top condition.

How do you check if its got anti freeze
How do I check the fan is working as it should
The aircon is cold but is it worth getting a top up to be on the safe side
What beam reflectors can be used on the 75
Last year the aircon completely gave up on an e230 I had and we were only half way there and it was 41degrees..I can't go through that again.
Just wondering if I should take a selection of tools ?

grivas · 26th June 2011, 15:49

Personally I would have the car fully serviced, at a dependable quality trustworthy garage, new engine oil, coolant, brake fluids, check the tyres and take a proper spare tyre, have the air con serviced at a specialist centre, make sure your insurance co know you are going abroad, beam converters from a good motor shop, the take you time and enjoy the trip.

Thomas · 26th June 2011, 15:50

Moved to technical help forum for better coverage

scorpio stu · 26th June 2011, 19:16

Thanks Thomas I wasn't sure where to post this.
Grivas it's being serviced next week by a friend who is manager of a chain of garages so he knows what he's doing. Regarding the air con service do you know what they can do to service it ?

Dashiel · 26th June 2011, 19:45

I would say just make sure all cooling pipes and the radiator are tip top and not leaking. Check for stains around joints in the piping and at the bottom of the radiator.
don't forget spare light bulbs and the warning triangle. french police might need to see these if they pull you over.
As for Spain, it did used to have a problem with petty theft when i went there a lot. just make sure you don't make the car a target for thieves - leave the car interior bare of belongings, and leave the glove box open so they can see there is nothing worth pinching. You don't want to have a broken door that you can't lock or a broken window to deal with on holiday. Also bear in mind that the people there do tend to drive a lot more aggresively - leave yourself plenty of room. Other than that you will have a great time.

barann · 26th June 2011, 19:58

you need two triangles in Spain and high vis vests for all passengers and kept in cabin not the boot

bassman · 26th June 2011, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpio stu

How do I check the fan is working as it should?

I changed my fan last week, and altho it kicked in when i shorted out the trinary switch, I really needed convincing it was going to work when my engine needed it(i am towing my caravan)....I did it this way...

I put a tarpaulin round the front end, secured round the back of the front wheels with an elastic strap thingy(cant remember name of them)...I made sure it was on the ground and tucked it under the bonnet and closed the bonnet..

I started the car, and held the accelerator at around 2k revs(with a stick jammed onto the pedal)...

3 minutes after reaching normal temp on my guage, the fan kicked in, I couldnt tell if it was low speed or high speed, but i at least know it does kick in...

Hope this helps

bl52krz · 26th June 2011, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpio stu

Hi
Not sure if this is in the right place or not.
We are driving 1400 miles down to Estepona on the Costa Del Sol at the end of July for a few weeks. Can't wait to get on the journey in the 75 .
I need some advice on what to check in the next few weeks on the car so as its in tip top condition.

How do you check if its got anti freeze
How do I check the fan is working as it should
The aircon is cold but is it worth getting a top up to be on the safe side
What beam reflectors can be used on the 75
Last year the aircon completely gave up on an e230 I had and we were only half way there and it was 41degrees..I can't go through that again.
Just wondering if I should take a selection of tools ?

tThe most important thing is, get breakdown cover (european) before you go. Just renewed mine for twelve months.

scorpio stu · 27th June 2011, 07:13

Thanks for some really helpfull advice

ChrisH · 27th June 2011, 07:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by grivas

... beam converters from a good motor shop...

Don't waste money and reduce vision with stick-on beam converters.

The Rover has a little lever behind each dip beam headlight. One position is dip-to-the-left, the other is dip-to-the-right.

Something to do while waiting to embark on the Channel crossing.

26th June 2011, 13:08	#1
scorpio stu This is my second home Jaguar 3.2 Executive Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Buckhurst Hil Posts: 3,269 Thanks: 508 Thanked 154 Times in 116 Posts	Driving to Spain Hi Not sure if this is in the right place or not. We are driving 1400 miles down to Estepona on the Costa Del Sol at the end of July for a few weeks. Can't wait to get on the journey in the 75 . I need some advice on what to check in the next few weeks on the car so as its in tip top condition. How do you check if its got anti freeze How do I check the fan is working as it should The aircon is cold but is it worth getting a top up to be on the safe side What beam reflectors can be used on the 75 Last year the aircon completely gave up on an e230 I had and we were only half way there and it was 41degrees..I can't go through that again. Just wondering if I should take a selection of tools ? __________________ Current cars V8 Petrol Range Rover Kia Sportage Hybrid Triumph Street Triple R

26th June 2011, 15:50	#3
Thomas This is my second home MG6 1.8T GT SE Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Falkirk Posts: 9,510 Thanks: 106 Thanked 173 Times in 128 Posts	Moved to technical help forum for better coverage __________________ MG6 1.8 TCi in Artic White 1975 Land Rover Series 3

26th June 2011, 19:16	#4
scorpio stu This is my second home Jaguar 3.2 Executive Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Buckhurst Hil Posts: 3,269 Thanks: 508 Thanked 154 Times in 116 Posts	Thanks Thomas I wasn't sure where to post this. Grivas it's being serviced next week by a friend who is manager of a chain of garages so he knows what he's doing. Regarding the air con service do you know what they can do to service it ? __________________ Current cars V8 Petrol Range Rover Kia Sportage Hybrid Triumph Street Triple R

26th June 2011, 19:45	#5
Dashiel Posted a thing or two Rover 75 V6 2.0 Club Tourer LPG Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South East Posts: 1,405 Thanks: 3 Thanked 39 Times in 34 Posts	I would say just make sure all cooling pipes and the radiator are tip top and not leaking. Check for stains around joints in the piping and at the bottom of the radiator. don't forget spare light bulbs and the warning triangle. french police might need to see these if they pull you over. As for Spain, it did used to have a problem with petty theft when i went there a lot. just make sure you don't make the car a target for thieves - leave the car interior bare of belongings, and leave the glove box open so they can see there is nothing worth pinching. You don't want to have a broken door that you can't lock or a broken window to deal with on holiday. Also bear in mind that the people there do tend to drive a lot more aggresively - leave yourself plenty of room. Other than that you will have a great time. Last edited by Dashiel; 26th June 2011 at 19:47..

27th June 2011, 07:13	#9
scorpio stu This is my second home Jaguar 3.2 Executive Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Buckhurst Hil Posts: 3,269 Thanks: 508 Thanked 154 Times in 116 Posts	Thanks for some really helpfull advice __________________ Current cars V8 Petrol Range Rover Kia Sportage Hybrid Triumph Street Triple R

26th June 2011, 15:49	#2
grivas I really should get out more....... Rover 75 CDT Club Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milky Way Posts: 2,380 Thanks: 105 Thanked 513 Times in 382 Posts	Personally I would have the car fully serviced, at a dependable quality trustworthy garage, new engine oil, coolant, brake fluids, check the tyres and take a proper spare tyre, have the air con serviced at a specialist centre, make sure your insurance co know you are going abroad, beam converters from a good motor shop, the take you time and enjoy the trip.

26th June 2011, 19:58	#6
barann Avid contributor Rover 75 saloon CDT club se Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Solihull Posts: 103 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	you need two triangles in Spain and high vis vests for all passengers and kept in cabin not the boot