Hi guys,

Heading to Switzerland in the RRS in the middle of May for a week. Taking the tunnel to Calais and having our first stop in Metz, France.
Then off to Geneva the following day followed by a 6 days of touring Switzerland from Zermatt up to Zurich before heading back. The whole trip is around 2000miles

I did a similar trip last year in my Q7 through Holland, Belgium & France which was 1200 (trouble free) miles.

How can I best prepare for the same trouble free experience in the RRS? I have read on the forums the Xenons need to be switched for driving on the continent? Any other advice on things I should take or prepare before hand?

Many thanks!  LCFC. Receiver of threatening letters from Overfinch.

I'm sure you are aware of the law requiring you in an emergency to have to have a warning triangle....fluorescent jacket... and a complete set of spare bulbs......and poss a basic medical kit.. Penalties handed out for not having them
I know this applies to France and similar in Swtzld.....
I bought basic stuff because we don't need all that in the UK....
Have to tell you.... when my tyre blew out on a busy motorway in Spain with a narrow hard shoulder...
I was ..... SO glad I had them.....The heavy RRS one didn't blow over unlike the cheapy I bought when all those articulated lorries wizzed past at 100kph 6 inches from my RRS.....

Having two fluorescent jackets (or more) meant I could open the tailgate and hang one from there.....as well as wear one..

On long road trips.... my £50 cooler box running off the rear 12v socket... became invaluable....

A small bottle of insect remover and a microfibre to keep on top of the pests that will plague your windscreen.. and save you hours of hard work and elbow grease when u return.... not to mention protect your paint...

If you have a radar detector.... check swiss law.... most of europe they are banned.... confiscation and fines !!

Take with tyre foam... just in case... I know it mashes the tyre.... but it may well be worth the price !!

Download a german or french App with phrases just in case of a roadside emergency....(Worth it for 99p)

Stating the obvious... make sure you notify your insurance company... and get full cover euro assist..

Have a great trip.... 2014.5 SDV6 AB Dynamic ... Fuji /Santorini Pan roof and 22's
2013 Porsche Boxster S 3.4
2014 Audi A3 S line Quattro
---------------------------------

Regarding high visibility gear, if you buy a lightweight jacket get one which has sleeves rather than the vest type. If you're stood/crouched down next the the vehicle then the vests can be effectively obscured by your arms. The sleeved ones get around this problem.

We use this type at work for the odd occasion that we need to work adjacent to highways. The reflective bands on the arms mean you're always visible no matter angle. And they can be pulled on over another jacket or jumper. And they scrunch up nice and small so your can store them easily.

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p38663 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

andman wrote:

I'm sure you are aware of the law requiring you in an emergency to have to have a warning triangle....fluorescent jacket... and a complete set of spare bulbs......and poss a basic medical kit.. Penalties handed out for not having them
I know this applies to France and similar in Swtzld.

Warning triangle yes, fluorescent jacket, bulbs, medical kit, not required in Switzerland. But as you are driving in France you will have them anyway
I believe in France jackets are required for every passenger.

andman wrote:

If you have a radar detector.... check swiss law.... most of europe they are banned.... confiscation and fines !!

Hello,
when you travel in france after 1.7. 2012, you must have a alcohol test set with you!

Regards

WolfgangK

WolfgangK wrote:

Hello,
when you travel in france after 1.7. 2012, you must have a alcohol test set with you!

Regards

WolfgangK

I heard this too but I believe the law is that if it is a disposable (one use only) tester then you must carry a minimum of 2, the rationalle being that if you use one you will still have a spare  2013 Discovery HSE Luxury - 3.0 SDV6 - Santorini Black
2013 Evoque 5 Door Pure Tech SD4 - Orkney Grey with Panoramic Roof (Mrs E's new baby)

GONE - RRS - 3.0 TDV6 HSE - Santorini (2010)
GONE - RRS - 2.7 TDV6 HSE - Java Black (2007)
GONE - Porsche Boxster S - 3.2 - Black

Sag wrote:

I have read on the forums the Xenons need to be switched for driving on the continent? Any other advice on things I should take or prepare before hand?

Many thanks!

It's a ten minute job to change lights over, but it is fiddly!!, unscrew the grill as per manual instructions, use a bit of string to pull up the lever that holds the lamp unit in place, then undo the bulb holders and lift the unit out. There is a lever under the unit that you slide to the opposite of where it is just now, which sets the beam for driving on the other side. then you do the opposite to put it all back again!

Done that run a good few times, enjoy!!

Cheers
Dave MY10 TDV6 SE (debadged ), Santorini Black, Flappy paddles, Privacy Glass, 20" Stormers, Mudflaps!

Gone: a comprehensive list of imprezas and a Merc ML AMG

Thanks guys, some very valuable information for me.

Took the manual out the car today too so will flick through it and make sure I am familiar with everything.
Will get some bits like spare bulb set and tyre foam ordered too.

Any more info greatly appreciated! LCFC. Receiver of threatening letters from Overfinch.

Right guys a week to go and here's where I am at:

Got:
- Vignette to travel on Swiss Motorway
- New Wiper Blades
- Fluorescent Vests
- Basic First Aid Kit
- GB Logo Magnet for rear of car
- Latest maps update on TomTom

Still need:
- Tyre Puncture Foam
- Warning Triangle
- Spare Bulb/fuse Kit
- 12v Cool Box to keep in the back

Does anyone know where the best place or reccomend the best bits to get for the items above?

Had a look around the back of the car too today, the panel in the boot with the jack etc in is surprisingly empty Will snap a pic later so you guys can tell me what I am missing!

Sag LCFC. Receiver of threatening letters from Overfinch.

Halfords should be able to do all of that stuff. Spare bulb kit from LR might be better as it should ensure you have the correct bulbs. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Sag wrote:

- GB Logo Magnet for rear of car

Don't get the bulb kit from landrover, it's about £60!! (for a 2010 anyway!), I prefer to get the stick on GB badge and put it on the corner of the window out of the way of the wiper, it can then be removed without scratching paint, etc
Cheers
Dave
Ps, remember to switch your engine off at traffic lights in Switzerland MY10 TDV6 SE (debadged ), Santorini Black, Flappy paddles, Privacy Glass, 20" Stormers, Mudflaps!

Gone: a comprehensive list of imprezas and a Merc ML AMG

The gb sticker will go on the rear Q panel corner, that's where we had ours for 3 weeks in France without it falling off happy road trip  Now gone Orkney grey SDV6 HSE with body style kit contrast stitch ebony leather, privacy, black piano, 22" Lowenharts for summer, 20" with Leon LTZ for winter.
Here 110 black edition defender.

The Swiss know how to have a good time dont they ?  FF 4.4 V8 Soooo looking forward to this bad boy
Ex 2006 RRS SC - garbage
Ex 2016 135i M Sport - dream car
Ex 2003 RS6 Avant - piece of cr*p
Ex 2014 320d X Drive, M Sport Touring - ok I guess
Ex 2007 RRS TDV8 - bloody loved it
EX 2007 FL2 XS - not so bad

Bradders wrote:

The Swiss know how to have a good time dont they ?

Everyone has to have a rifle and ammo in the house, yet they are concerned with pollution!!!

Saying that, the air quality in general is fantastic!

I do a fair bit of business there, once you get past the few who have a rod up their A e, they are a great lot!,
Cheers
Dave MY10 TDV6 SE (debadged ), Santorini Black, Flappy paddles, Privacy Glass, 20" Stormers, Mudflaps!

Gone: a comprehensive list of imprezas and a Merc ML AMG