Latest posts for the topic "Risk a windscreen chip??????"

Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:27:12 GMT

Hi All

I've had a small stone chip in my windscreen for about 2 years, needless to say it's not on the top of my list to spend money on unless I have to (too near edge for a repair)! I'm driving to La Plagne next week (never driven skiing before), would I be mad not having it repaired before I go? Can the extreme cold really crack it??

Thank you!

Smiley faces and all that!

Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:28:55 GMT

laura1227 wrote:Hi All

I've had a small stone chip in my windscreen for about 2 years, needless to say it's not on the top of my list to spend money on unless I have to (too near edge for a repair)! I'm driving to La Plagne next week (never driven skiing before), would I be mad not having it repaired before I go? Can the extreme cold really crack it??

Thank you!

Smiley faces and all that!

Yes. Get it fixed. Your insurance will probably cover Autoglass coming out and filling it in if its a certain size, for free. However, if not a replacement should only be GBP75 on your insurance.

Dont forget winter tyres and snow chains or you might not be getting very far.

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:31:31 GMT

It's a weak spot, if it's not bad, it's possible to get a filling kit from a car accessory shop. It will be no fun at all sitting on a French Autoroute waiting for recovery instead of arriving in resort. Fix it, it will be 1 less thing to think about )

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:31:47 GMT

Yikes...OK.....winter tyres and snow chains??

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:34:03 GMT

Thanks Chaps! :)

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:34:55 GMT

laura1227 wrote:Yikes...OK.....winter tyres and snow chains??

You will need to take chains in your car, definitely if you don't have Winter Tyres. If you don't have them by the time you reach the approach to the resort, the Police may turn you back.

Either buy in this country or buy from a French Supermarket if you have a common wheel/tyre size.

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:39:32 GMT

What if the roads are clear, do you have to prove you have them.......god this all sounds daunting!

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:53:06 GMT

laura1227 wrote:What if the roads are clear, do you have to prove you have them.......god this all sounds daunting!

Particularly this winter when the snowfall has been heavy and frequent, you are likely to be driving on snow up in La Plagne, as all the villages are above the snow line. I would say they are a must. If you get stuck because your tyres won't grip, you will need to fit them.

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:54:14 GMT

Okey Dokey wil do thanks!

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 16:28:13 GMT

Get it fixed ...... please :shock:

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:06:09 GMT

Took the good advice, Autoglass coming tomorrow, only costing GBP10! Thank you all probably avoided a crisis now! :)

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:25:05 GMT

Very sensible re the windscreen.
As well as snow chains you need ...
1 x high vis jacket
spare bulbs
warning triangle
Also, but well known, headlamp deflector and GB sticker.
It's the law in France
Recommendation is for 2 jackets, first aid kit and a fire extinguisher as well!!!!

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:31:48 GMT

.... and I think you also need a breathalyser kit from this year (though this may not be in force just yet)!

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 17:57:21 GMT

I'm gonna need a caravan to take it all!!!!

Thank you!

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:46:44 GMT

laura1227 wrote:Okey Dokey wil do thanks!

Practice putting the chains on before you go :thumbup:

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:55:55 GMT

laura1227 wrote:I'm gonna need a caravan to take it all!!!!

Thank you!

It should all fit in a medium plastic storage box. You will need to raise the concentrate mix in your windscreen washer fluid, and sort out a scruffy overjacket and trousers together with some gloves to wear if you need to fit the chains. It's very dirty having to feel behind the wheels to fit the chains at the roadside.

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 19:00:04 GMT

Bugger that palaver .... get a flight and transfer and leave all that mucking about to others.

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 20:37:39 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:Bugger that palaver .... get a flight and transfer and leave all that mucking about to others.

I've done both, but would take the package every time (at the right price of course) but we've had the package vs DIY thread before I think. A few times.

Some people dont like being treated like lemmings so wont do the airport thing, bus transfer, etc. Me, I couldnt care less as long as its a good price, its on time, as at the end of the day Im there to ski.

I drive for a living so prefer not to drive to holiday, but enjoyed it when I did to be fair. I think I'd get peed off with all the delays in bad weather, road closures, putting on chains, police roadblocks, etc.

Let the Tour Op take the strain I say.

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 20:41:30 GMT

I usually do the package no brainer.....thought I would try and keep "pounds in pockets" this year......jury's out for next year tho!!!

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 07:58:45 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

Snapzzz wrote:Bugger that palaver .... get a flight and transfer and leave all that mucking about to others.

I've done both, but would take the package every time (at the right price of course) but we've had the package vs DIY thread before I think. A few times.

Some people dont like being treated like lemmings so wont do the airport thing, bus transfer, etc. Me, I couldnt care less as long as its a good price, its on time, as at the end of the day Im there to ski.

I drive for a loving so prefer not to drive to holiday, but enjoyed it when I did to be fair. I think I'd get peed off with all the delays in bad weather, road closures, putting on chains, police roadblocks, etc.

Let the Tour Op take the strain I say.

Please Tony, Admin has warned us this week already!

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:16:25 GMT

I hate package holidays carted around like cattle...... and bus transfers the last one I went on one bloke honked up in the coach before it departed the airport. :evil:
I'd rather pay more and not travel with the riff Raff :wink:

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:01:10 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:I hate package holidays carted around like cattle...... and bus transfers the last one I went on one bloke honked up in the coach before it departed the airport. :evil:
I'd rather pay more and not travel with the riff Raff :wink:

Do you want me to cancel 3rd March?????
8)

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:08:04 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:I hate package holidays carted around like cattle...... and bus transfers the last one I went on one bloke honked up in the coach before it departed the airport. :evil:
I'd rather pay more and not travel with the riff Raff :wink:

Do you want me to cancel 3rd March?????
8)

I can cope with the Flight ...... I think I might sleep on the transfer bus just before the rep starts spurting out the rubbish they normally speak, Cancel it I've paid me money old boy ..... by the way the blasted hotel does not have Wi-Fi according to the web site...Blasted Austria :evil:

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:51:22 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:I hate package holidays carted around like cattle...... and bus transfers the last one I went on one bloke honked up in the coach before it departed the airport. :evil:
I'd rather pay more and not travel with the riff Raff :wink:

Do you want me to cancel 3rd March?????
8)

I can cope with the Flight ...... I think I might sleep on the transfer bus just before the rep starts spurting out the rubbish they normally speak, Cancel it I've paid me money old boy ..... by the way the blasted hotel does not have Wi-Fi according to the web site...Blasted Austria :evil:

I am sure I read it has wifi in the lounge. Oh well, GBP1.50 a day data roaming on O2 should do.

I generally sleep on the transfer bus anyway, but its only 90 minutes.

The flight may actually be the "interesting" part: Austrian Arrows on an old Fokker type thingy.

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 21:41:54 GMT

I am afraid that I am a bit of an old hand at driving to the Alps - every year for the last 30 seasons.

You have a simple choice - easy, difficult or really easy. Let's take the difficult one first.

Difficult:

Pack bags and drop into office on the weekend before the holiday starts. Drop children at school at 08:15 on Friday (we live in mid Wales) and collect them at 15:30. Drive to Dover (6 hours),drive through night. Be at Swiss border around 10. You will be starving, the car will stink, your children will have not eaten and you will have 4 hours to your destination.

Easy Pack bags, drop children at school on Friday and collect in normal way. Drive to Dover and stay in a hotel with dinner in restaurant. Leave at 5 and drive as before - you will be in your resort by 18:00

This year I am doing things a little differently.

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 21:48:13 GMT

This year:Load car with all luggage and drop children at school.

Leave work on Thursday afternnoon, drive to Ashford. Stay in comfortable hotel with a decent dinner. Grab the 8:50 train and slowly drive to Frankfurt. Stay in one of the airport hotels on the Friday night. A leisurely start as will become obvious..

Meet my wife and children on the flight from Heathrow that arrives at 13:00 and treat everyone to lunch in Germany. They will have flown from Heathrow leaving on the 11:30 and staying in one of the hotels at the airport. We then have a 5 hour drive arriving at 18:00 ready to party !

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 21:50:12 GMT

You are required to have winter tyres AND snow chains in Alpine areas.

I am particularly smug in my Range Rover with chains and winter tyres for all 4 wheels, but believe me, the fine for not having these basic things is eye watering.

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:34:33 GMT

For future reference if I have All terrain Tyres on my Land Rover (Pirelli Scorpion STV) do they cover off 'snow tyres' or do I need specific snow tyres to avoid a potential fine? Not planning a trip this year (well we're flying to Innsbruck for Obergurgly in March) but just wondered.....

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 14:52:03 GMT

Your tires need to have the little 'Alp'or snowflake motive on them or be marked M/S.

Re chains - if the conditions are so bad that they are required then the police won't let you proceed until you fit them or the conditions improve. The chain warning signs go up and down according to the conditions, if you drive through one and don't chain up then you will be fined. I have had spot checks in Austria (Wagrain) when the roads were in good condition, still masses of snow though - they didn't ask to see the chains, they wanted to see the hi viz jackets (one each and in the car, not the boot), the tires, first aid and triangle. Insurance, licence and reg and make sure the kids are in their proper seats. They also don't like you having chains on when there isn't enough snow on the road, that's a fine too.

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:19:00 GMT

Travelling to Courchevel soon and picking up a hire car from the airport. I know it will have chains as we have paid extra for them but is there going to be an issue if it doesn't have snow tyres fitted?

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:38:54 GMT

Carlyle wrote:Travelling to Courchevel soon and picking up a hire car from the airport. I know it will have chains as we have paid extra for them but is there going to be an issue if it doesn't have snow tyres fitted?

When you get the car, check that the chains fit the wheels and are useable, before you leave the airport. If you ask the Hire desk you should be told if it has Winter Tyres fitted or not. Snow Tyres are completely different. Most of Europe uses Winter Tyres, because the rubber compound works better in cold weather.

You don't have to have Winter Tyres, you might need the chains, though.

Re:Risk a windscreen chip??????

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:51:25 GMT

Drove to Vaujany at xmas. Needed snow chains to get in, while we were there and to get out. I would not drive to a ski resort without them. Make sure they fit BEFORE you need them and practise fitting them as it might be a freezing blizzard and dark when you need to fit them. Don't forget your european breakdown cover. :lol: