Get Fit: Prepare for Your Big Trip!

Hello fellow readers,

What do you think would be good to do for a 1-series BMW before a longer trip (approximately 4000 km in one week)? What should be checked or serviced?

Since my Spanish is quite limited, I don't feel like taking a course on how to use emergency spells.

- The oil is 7000 km old (5W-40 full synthetic).
- Checking other fluids is a given.

Unfortunately, I will probably have to use winter tires (with a smaller circumference).

Thank you for the tips.
Okay, please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English. I will only provide the translation.

Hello,

If you are a member of the ADAC, they can also provide assistance in German.

Otherwise, bring plenty of music, and check the brake pads beforehand. 4,000 kilometers is quite a distance for a week, but it's doable.

Regards,

Kusi.

On my Russia tours, I usually get a service done beforehand. Otherwise, having a few liters of oil is also a good idea, and maybe a 5-liter canister of distilled water in case there's a problem with the radiator... you can fit quite a bit into a T4.

Oh yeah, 5-10 rolls of duct tape!

Otherwise, a multimeter and VAG-COM .

If you have checked the following points, the trip should go smoothly without any foreseen problems.

- all liquids (regardless of quantity and age).
- Check brake and coolant hoses for leaks and porosity.
- You already have good oil in it, but still take 1 liter with you.
- Check brakes all around (material condition, ease of operation, possibly bleed).
- Torque specification for wheel bolts.
- Tire pressure appropriate for the journey.
- Wiper blades
- Check the battery (top up with distilled water due to potential 'overcharging').
- Warning triangle, first aid kit, towing rope, jump cables, flashlight, and possibly a tire sealant canister.
- A pair of spare light bulbs, fuses, and a piece of wire.
- Even with a navigation system, an atlas is still essential.
- ... maybe I forgot something .

As a professional thief, you must have already checked everything, so nothing can go wrong.
Your car is already perfectly maintained, so just take the essentials (money, passports, and time), and you're ready to go!

Best regards, Georg.

Hi,

In Spain, it is mandatory to have a reflective vest and two sets of replacement light bulbs. Not having them can be particularly expensive for foreigners.

Have a good trip! / Have a safe journey!

Regards,
Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

'Micha'

- The VAG-COM software comes with anyway, since the laptop already has navigation capabilities.


- Cleaning wipes?
That's over 40 euros!

I'd rather buy a new windshield wiper motor .


- I already have a high-visibility vest because my life is too precious to risk.

- But what does "2 replacement light bulbs" mean?

4 x H4
4x H3
125903277x 21 Watts ????

Or these common phrases that claim to contain everything but often lack what you actually need?

Okay, please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English. I will only provide the translation.

Here's what the ADAC says about the lights:

Quote:

It is recommended to carry a common 12-volt replacement bulb kit.

Okay, here's the translation:

"So, no 'obligation'."

Okay, please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English. I will only provide the translation.

A 1N4148 diode for potential LMM failures certainly won't hurt and takes up very little space.

Okay, here's the translation:

'So, no 'obligation'.'


Yes, in Spain, it is mandatory for foreigners to carry two warning triangles, one reflective vest, and an extra set of headlight bulbs (especially important with xenon headlights). These items are often checked.

Then tell the ADAC that quickly – they don't actually tell their members that!

http://www.adac.de/ReiseService/Reise_Infos/Laenderinfos/default.asp?ComponentID=3428&SourcePageID=8000%230
-> Spain
-> important traffic regulations

Okay, please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English. I will only provide the translation.

Unfortunately, the ADAC is not always that competent. Contradictory statements on the website compared to what the hotline says are quite common.

'...and particularly interesting is the addition: '...mandatory for foreigners!' They apparently think that cars in Germany have 400V light bulbs .

Regards,
Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

'Micha'

Have a good trip.
Spare tire pressure!!

Robert.

Then tell that quickly to the ADAC - because they don't say that to their members!!!

http://www.adac.de/ReiseService/Reise_Infos/Laenderinfos/default.asp?ComponentID=3428&SourcePageID=8000%230
-> Spain
-> important traffic regulations

m;

Unfortunately, I am not a member; the link only works with registration .

CU Gremlin.

Okay, then just copy and paste.

Code:

Die Promillegrenze liegt bei 0,5. Höchstgeschwindigkeiten in km/h:                   Pkw/Motorräder   Wohnmobile/      Gespanne mit                                  Gespanne mit       Anh. üb. 0,75 t                                  Anh. bis 0,75 t        innerorts               50              50                50 außerorts               90              70                70 Schnellstraßen         100*             80*               80* AB-ähnliche Straßen/                      Autobahnen             120              90                80  *  sowie auf Straßen mit mehr als einer Fahrspur in jeder Richtung Diese Bestimmungen weichen von den in Deutschland gültigen ab: Überholverbot besteht 100 m vor Kuppen sowie auf Sraßen, die nicht auf mindestens 200 m zu überblicken sind. Abschleppen durch Privatfahrzeuge ist verboten. Gelbe Linien (zick-zack oder unterbrochene) am Fahrbahnrand bedeuten Parkverbot.An blauen Markierungen ist das Parken zeitlich begrenzt,Beschilderung beachten! Das Mitführen einer gängigen 12-Volt Ersatzglühlampenbox wird empfohlen. Alle nach hinten über ein Fahrzeug hinausragenden Dachlasten und Ladungen müssen mit einer 50x50 cm großen rot-weiß diagonal schraffierten Warntafel gekennzeichnet sein. Diese ist im Kfz-Zubehör-Handel erhältlich. Telefonieren mit Freisprecheinrichtung während der Fahrt ist erlaubt, die Verwendung von Head-Sets und Ähnlichem hingegen verboten. Verkehrsverstöße, insbesondere Geschwindigkeitsüberschreitungen und Alkoholdelikte, werden mit hohen Geldbußen geahndet. Das Tragen einer reflektierenden Warnweste beim Verlassen des Fahrzeuges im Falle einer Panne oder eines Unfall auf Autobahnen und Landstraßen ist vorgeschrieben. Aus Sicherheitsgründen und zur Vermeidung von Bußgeldern sollte sie stets griffbereit sein. Besondere Verkehrsschilder: Alto = Halt; Atencion, Cuidado = Achtung, Vorsicht; Viraje peligroso = gefährliche Kurve; Ceda al paso = Vorfahrt beachten; Paso prohibido = Durchfahrt verboten; Prohibido aparcar = Parkverbot; Llevar la derecha (izquierda) = rechts (links) fahren.

Hello,

What's missing from the ADAC listing: In Spain, private towing is also prohibited!
Otherwise, I have nothing to add to the previous recommendations. After all, diesel engines are designed for long distances – they're happy when they get to run a few thousand kilometers without being turned off .
I drove from Portugal to Germany myself in October, and before the trip, I checked the oil, air pressure, and water levels, but didn't do anything else major. If you, which I doubt, mostly drive the car on short trips, it would be a good idea to check the oil level after driving a few hundred kilometers on the highway.

Otherwise, have a good trip!

Bye.
Christoph.