Spain and France

[mickeymoon]

A non-Spanish registered car only needs one warning triangle in Spain. It's advised to carry two in case local plod don't know the rules..

https://shop.theaa.com/store/advice-on- ... -in-europe

Has all the accurate info you will need...

[mickeymoon]

£30? Whole lot shouldn't be more'n about a tenner !

Not sure where you shop but I couldn't get it cheaper than the £25 that the AA kit is on sale for buying the bits separately on Amazon using the cheapest options!

[Paul-R]

That's the first time I've seen that Spain's two triangle law only applies to Spanish registered cars. As the note says though, it would be wise to have two in case the local police issue a fine anyway.

[Mandrake]

Is it just me or is the legal requirement in countries like France of carrying a breathalyser, hi vis jackets, warning triangles, spare bulbs and so on just over the top nannying ?

How did we get by for so many years without all these things ? And how easy is it to get a high vis jacket on in the drivers seat without getting out of the car anyway ? (In which case it could be stowed in the boot) Pretty difficult for many people I'd think.

Reminds me of packets of toothpicks that have instructions for use, just in case you weren't sure what toothpicks were for or how to use them...

[white exec]

The way the (particularly young) Spanish drive* round blind corners, the extra warning triangle could well make all the difference.

*Increased risk factors here include: black car, Seat/BMW, young, female (sorry to say), hand held mobile phones, crucifixes swinging from the rear-view mirror , mates in the car, removed badges, blown-headlamps-so-foglights-used-instead, illegal headlight and rearlight conversions . . .

[JohnD]

That's the first time I've seen that Spain's two triangle law only applies to Spanish registered cars. .

Me too! I know there's a lot of mis-information on the www but for what it's worth, this may be of interest... http://www.euroadlegal.co.uk/country/spain.html

[Paul-R]

And how easy is it to get a high vis jacket on in the drivers seat without getting out of the car anyway ? (In which case it could be stowed in the boot) Pretty difficult for many people I'd think.

I've not seen the original French regulation but I believe that it states that the jacket has to be within reach of the driver whilst in his seat. This is probably why so many French drivers drape it over the back of their seat.

There's no requirement to put it on before getting out but common sense to would tell you to put it on as you get out surely?

[old'uns]

Insulating tape is just fine WATERPROOF gaffer tape is probably better.

Insulating Tape on an X7....NO!!!!
used on mine and got left with a lot of small 'cracks' on the plastic where the tape was.

regards Spain, mate who lives out there warned me of Stop signs.....apparently you need to actually stop and wai for at least 3 seconds even if clear. a useful rule for the authorities when thy are short of cash
the spanish also like to straight line a roundabout whichever lane they're in, be alert.

[van ordinaire]

Sorry, I was brought up on glass headlights (the Caddy has plastic ones but as Yanks dip vertically, I've never had to bother) but the big problem, for me, with plastic headlights is I use a razor blade to trim the tape to the correct shape.

I'd be surprised if the glue on insulating tape is significantly different from any other self adhesive plastic, so there MAY be a rather bigger problem here.

Actually, I'm pretty sure we're supposed to comply with Stop signs - even if the road is clear.

My understanding of French regs, re hi-vis is as Paul-R's.

Mickymoon - sorry, I thought I'd made it clear that I bought all this stuff (to be compliant but never intend to use) as cheap as poss. so I pick it up where/whenever I see it (mostly Lidl's & £ shops!) Even the 5(?) litre fire extinguisher in the Cherokee was nowhere near £30.

[Homer]

That's the first time I've seen that Spain's two triangle law only applies to Spanish registered cars. As the note says though, it would be wise to have two in case the local police issue a fine anyway.

A lot of the Spanish regulations don't apply to foreign registered cars and are ignored by the locals, I don't know who they actually apply to.

I've never had hi vis, triangles, or spare bulbs supplied with the hire cars I've had in Spain and while I could take the high vis and warning triangle I'd need to know the exact model of car to have a set of bulbs.

[mickeymoon]

I've got all of it apart from a fire extinguisher in my cars, and have had for years now. It's just common sense... apart from the fire extinguisher.

My cousin Chris was a fireman. Years ago I asked him exactly what steps I should take to deal with a car fire "f*!$ing long ones away from the car" was his answer.

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[Kennyd90]

I don't think the c5 x7 with normal halogen lights needs any beam deflecters. There is nothing in the owners manual about it. I didn't have any problems taking mine down to Austria.

[white exec]

If your dipped beam is flat-topped with a 'kick upwards' at the kerb side, then you should use beam deflectors.
If beam is completely flat-topped, then you don't.
Best tested in dark conditions, 10-20 meters away from a plain wall. I use a fairly empty supermarket underground carpark for beam checking/adjustment.

[van ordinaire]

Surprised a supermarket carpark is dark enough - & I don't think I'd like the attention it would undoubtedly attract.

[white exec]

Our nearest Carrefour shopping and cinema complex has an enormous underground car park, two huge flat floors, with some parts of it almost never used. Ideal for beam alignment.