European driving advice sought

[GrahamB]

We're taking a short trip to Ypres on Thursday, via Eurotunnel. I have two questions;

1. How do I change the speedo from MPH to KPH? The manual seems to be silent on the matter,
2. Can I deactivate the "bum switch on" whilst on the train or will I have to minimise how many times I get in and out of the driver's seat? I know I can turn it off whilst sitting.

 

[Rei]

You can set it to km by going into the settings menu and changing from metric to imperial. Unfortunately it's a global setting that affects everything, including the sat nav an energy information, as well as the speedo.

 

[emmrecs]

You can set it to km by going into the settings menu and changing from metric to imperial.

Err, actually it's the other way around, I think. i.e., Imperial to Metric.

 

[Ian Key]

I wouldn't bother about deactivating the "bum switch on" whilst on the train. The car uses very little power in the ready state and the main battery will be keeping the 12V battery charged.

 

[Rei]

I wouldn't bother about deactivating the "bum switch on" whilst on the train. The car uses very little power in the ready state and the main battery will be keeping the 12V battery charged.

I think they ask you to completely turn the car off while on the train. It's a safety thing, probably mostly to do with fossils.

 

[GrahamB]

I think they ask you to completely turn the car off while on the train. It's a safety thing, probably mostly to do with fossils.

It's more to do with turning headlights off as they interfered with their cameras. As I've got auto headlights they will turn on every time I sit down.

 

[Rei]

It's more to do with turning headlights off as they interfered with their cameras. As I've got auto headlights they will turn on every time I sit down.

You can turn those off with the stalk. I think that's the best you can do if you want to get in and out of the car.

 

[Guinea Pig]

I think they ask you to completely turn the car off while on the train. It's a safety thing, probably mostly to do with fossils.

You do not have to turn off the car completely. I travelled 2 weeks ago and I used P mode. They say to "switch off your engine and put your car into park or drive". On the way back I had to be prompted to turn off my headlights (forgot) but otherwise there was no issue whatsoever.

 

[MG owner UK]

To turn the car off, you will need to select P on the rotary dial. From the pull down menu, you can then select shut down. To restart the car you have to press the brake pedal.

 

[GrahamB]

Well, Eurotunnel was something of a disaster with delays in both directions. What I found was that the car didn't like being shut down with the radio playing. After a few minutes it complained that the 12v battery was low on volts and yes, my terminals are tight. I've not looked but I'm wondering if it's a low capacity battery but equally, the car could just be sensitive to voltage.

The other quirk was that, whilst on French dual carriageways and motorways, the speed sign recognition would give me TWO speed limits at the same time! I think one was for cars and the other for HGV's but I wasn't sure. Also, picking up the lower HGV limit reminder signs didn't help at all. Thank goodness it just flashes at me.

 

[Alb]

The 12V battery should certainly not be causing a problem after a few minutes of radio use. Best to keep an eye on it.

 

[Loveclose]

To turn the car off, you will need to select P on the rotary dial. From the pull down menu, you can then select shut down. To restart the car you have to press the brake pedal.

This is your solution for turning the car 'off' if you need to.....it works.