I am driving down to the south of France in 3 weeks and would like to make my car as reliable as possible beforehand, what should I do?

 

My car is pretty much standard except an HKS mushroom air filter and decat exhaust (done 18mnths ago and no smoke from the back as yet...touch wood) the previous owner had the radiator re-conditioned about 6 months ago.

 

Often when I start the engine it idles at about 1500 rpm for about 10 minutes and then it settles down to 750ish and the exhaust can be a bit blowy but not too bad.

 

I was thinking about flushing the rad and topping up the coolant which I assume is a good place to start. Would a new intercooler, front or side, help the car to run better.

 

Basically I dont realy have a clue so any help would be most appreciated.

 

Cheers guys.

It's hot down there and a long motorway run, so add some water wetter, use good fuel and take it easy. (and keep an eye on the temp gauge - mine was geting close to 100 deg C on the way back from Le Mans last year)

It probably wont be a problem for you at this time of year but for any later on journeys should should consider A different air filter (eg apexi, or even stock). The HKS mushrooms are really bad for sucking in water and blowing the MAF. I've actually put mine back on again as I think it flows better than the apexi but I keep the apexi in the boot in case of rain.

Other things are all the usual maintainance stuff:

Change the oil before and after the trip

Change the collant as said

Check your tyres and tyre pressure

 

The engine is supposed to idle higher until it warms up a little when you start up.

watch our for really shitty low octane fuel. I would take some bottles of octane booster just to be sure.

 

Chris

If yours is a series 1, then maybe look at getting a series 2 PTU.

watch our for really shitty low octane fuel. I would take some bottles of octane booster just to be sure.

 

Chris

 

You should be able to get Shell/Optimax all the way.

You can, I drove down in Nov 05, and back April 06.

You can always get AA International cover for your trip if you're worried :)

 

I got the Nurburgring/Germany trip covered for £55 for the week.

You don't have to be an AA member but I did get a discount.

Get a quote online:

 

http://www.theaa.com/services/european_breakdowncover/index.jsp

 

Probably cost you about £80 or you can get a years cover for about £115 I think.

 

I'm glad I got it too :rofl:

Not sure if you need a replacement bulb kit and first aid kit by law in france.I went to paris last month and was told to stick headlight converters on my lights at dover ferry crossing but i didnt see one other person fitting any.

Yeah, the French are actually far better geared towards multigrade fuels than over here. Strange considering most cars over there are oil burners and performance petrol cars that benefit from higher octane fuels are few and far between.

OK bud ....one thing you need to be aware of is the toll road's, there great ....BUT they can TIME you from toll 2 toll ...WATCH OUT bud ..... :)

 

if you are going to go fast then "don't " forget CASH or CARD's.......

 

you pay your fine and "AS" it is not to MAD i.e.150km over the limit you can pay your way out ........ :)

 

 

have fun bud :) :)

Not sure if you need a replacement bulb kit and first aid kit by law in france.I went to paris last month and was told to stick headlight converters on my lights at dover ferry crossing but i didnt see one other person fitting any.

 

Replacement bulb kit is actually mandatory in Europe so definately take one. French police will fine you on the spot for any non-compliance with the law.

 

Do the light conversion as well and leave that radar detector at home - they are very illegal in France :eek:

 

Otherwise have a good trip - the Zed will behave if it's been looked after in the first place, it's still a Nissan after all ;)

 

Richard :)

Not sure if you need a replacement bulb kit and first aid kit by law in france.I went to paris last month and was told to stick headlight converters on my lights at dover ferry crossing but i didnt see one other person fitting any.

 

 

 

it just means you have to put little beam-bender's on ( btw they do work on the Z32 any way) but it 's a token and it 's no prob after that ;) ;)

OK bud ....one thing you need to be aware of is the toll road's, there great ....BUT they can TIME you from toll 2 toll ...WATCH OUT bud ..... :)

 

 

I think this is a myth. I've gone 100-110 all the way and never had a problem.

 

If they give you grief, just say: "Craig David from the internet said it was ok", and you'll be fine.

 

Joking apart - I don't think they do speed trap time you between toll booths.

I think this is a myth. I've gone 100-110 all the way and never had a problem.

 

If they give you grief, just say: "Craig David from the internet said it was ok", and you'll be fine.

 

Joking apart - I don't think they do speed trap time you between toll booths.

 

I'm inclined to believe this too, otherwise why would the French Piglet bother with motorway speed traps to catch us faster Brits?

 

Richard :)