Q&A before our French Road Trip

Saurabhdutt · Mar 5, 2016

Hello there,

I have got a few questions before we leave for our French road trip. I would really appreciate your help on these.

1. Can I use my ThinkWare F750 DashCam in France? It has camera detection feature built in which can be disabled.

2. I have media pack hence my MINI has its own built in satnav, I am not sure how good the satnav will be in France. I will also have Sygic iPhone app (uses tomtom maps). I will have data on the move however it also works offline. Should I also take my tomtom Start 60 too? ( I will have all camera detection features turned off)

3. I have ordered and received the euro travel kit (high viz jacket, bulb kit, GB sticker, red triangle and light beam deflector). Do I also need first aid kit and fire extinguisher as per law?

4. I have no idea on how to install the headlight beam deflectors, as far as my understanding goes, the headlights have a little cross in the middle if the lens. Should I install the deflectors at 7'o clock position of both lights?

5. Any tips and tricks to remind me to drive on the right side? (Sticky note pad, wear one glove)

6. Is there anything else I am missing here?

If I remember any more question then I shall bother you once again.

Many Thanks
Saurabh

Ash92 · Mar 5, 2016

3. I recently traveled to Germany in a Minibus - we bought the euro kit but didn't have a fire extinguisher. At the eurotunnel services, there was a notice stating that the law covering fire extinguishers was in dispute and that it isn't commonly enforced.

4. I may be wrong, but I believe the Mini uses the sat nav for headlight balancing.

Saurabhdutt · Mar 6, 2016

Ash92 said:
3. I recently traveled to Germany in a Minibus - we bought the euro kit but didn't have a fire extinguisher. At the eurotunnel services, there was a notice stating that the law covering fire extinguishers was in dispute and that it isn't commonly enforced.

4. I may be wrong, but I believe the Mini uses the sat nav for headlight balancing.

With regards to the headloght I think that might be with the LED adaptive ones. I could be wrong..

AarnMunro · Mar 6, 2016

Don't feed French. They can bite you!

vetsvette · Mar 6, 2016

I don't believe I would travel to a country that required me to jump through all those hoops.
If I want to drive 3000 miles across country I just pack a couple changes of clothes and bring my credit card for gas and lodging.

helicopter pat · Mar 6, 2016

If you have LED lights I believe you do not need to fit beam deflectors as the beam distribution is flat. I think it is mentioned in the manual.

Saurabhdutt · Mar 6, 2016

helicopter pat said:
If you have LED lights I believe you do not need to fit beam deflectors as the beam distribution is flat. I think it is mentioned in the manual.

I have the standard headlights..

Ash92 · Mar 6, 2016

Saurabhdutt said:
I have the standard headlights..

Sell the light deflectors and get the LED light upgrade through Mini - they're definitely worth it!

Saurabhdutt · Mar 6, 2016

Ash92 said:
Sell the light deflectors and get the LED light upgrade through Mini - they're definitely worth it!

I am on it... >

mnp1962 · Mar 8, 2016

Saurabhdutt said:
I am on it... >

We are traveling to the Italian lakes via Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland and checked with MINI as I have the LED lights. As mentioned before you don't need to do anything with them as they don't dazzle. I have xenons on my R52 and these are so much brighter, definitely worth the upgrade

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Ash92 · Mar 9, 2016

mnp1962 said:
We are traveling to the Italian lakes via Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland and checked with MINI as I have the LED lights. As mentioned before you don't need to do anything with them as they don't dazzle. I have xenons on my R52 and these are so much brighter, definitely worth the upgrade

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They don't dazzle, however in the UK at least, I've lost count of the times I've been flashed by other drivers who assume I've got my full beam on

Dollyman · Mar 9, 2016

France were implementing the requirement to have two breathalyzer kits in the car but I read somewhere they had delayed this, it may be worth checking out. (Word on the street was that it was alleged that a relative of a French transport official had a breathalyzer manufacturing business!!)

http://www.drive-france.com/faqs/france-breathalyzer-law/

Hurbert II · Mar 9, 2016

1. Yes, No problem
2. MINI Nav works fine, has europe maps by default and they're very good.

Re beam benders, hmmm, the Mini beam without LED's is still pretty flat. Take some, but don't bother fitting them unless you get lots of flashes. Le Flic don't care.
Fire Extinguisher - I'd get one anyway. Sensible safety equipment.

Other advice. Keep your foot down and ignore any blue lights, they're only french...

Saurabhdutt · Mar 9, 2016

Cheers ..

mnp1962 · Mar 9, 2016

Ash92 said:
They don't dazzle, however in the UK at least, I've lost count of the times I've been flashed by other drivers who assume I've got my full beam on

It's funny, I get people flashing me with the xenons on my R52 but so far no one has flashed me with my LEDs on the F55

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Q&A before our French Road Trip

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