long journey preparation

[dive75]

Hi there,

I am about to drive to Athens via Slovenia and Croatia. I have a x reg vw polo (year 2000) with 41000 mile on the clock. I have had the car from new and have serviced it every year. Does anybody know, apart from the usual, oil filter, air filter, sparks, should I get anything else done for a 5k journey? ie cam belt, fan belt ect?

Any ideas, suggestions greatly appreciated.

[sddsddean]

There are some items that are compulsory to carry in certain countries. Go here for a list http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/overseas/compulsory_equipment.html

I would certainly take a spare fan belt on such a long journey. Also, as you will be taking several days, don't forget to do your daily checks on the road (tyres [inc. pressures], oil , water etc.). There is obviously more chance of things going wrong driving all day every day, so a few minutes each morning could save you a lot of trouble.

[dive75]

Cheers mate. I will also buy the haynes manual which comes out in Feb (just in case)!! good link. btw

[RAK]

VW parts should be easily availble. you may wont to change your lights to centre or left dipping, out of kindness to other droivers. You can get stick-on deflectors to do this; on my Kombi I just haad to mask part of the headlamp glass to do it; your manual should say if that is possible. Or maybe a switch of bulbswould do it?

If you are going on the coast road, I highly recommend visits to Split (Roman palace), Dubroknik of course, Mostar (inland diversion). The islands such as Hvar are good too if you have time. If you go as far south as Kotor (maybe not a good idea as I think it takes you into Kosovo) there is an amazing road from there up into the mountains of Montegro - suposedly the most hairpins of any road in Europe - I drove it one legged due to a leg injury - not recommended!