French on strike again

[CHJon]

Hope this blows over by the time I go to the France in early July. My C300h only has a 50 litre tank for diesel.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Good point above re carrying fuel in your car on the ferry, I'd imagine that the tunnel operator would be even more sniffy (so to speak).

 

[Druk]

...

I'll be joining the fray from a ferry on Tuesday morning and hoping to get at least one fill-up on my way to Italy while economising on energy consumption as described in one of the C350e threads. (As well as pumping up the tyres to the highest acceptable pressure and driving at 50-55mph like the good old days we had when we had something similar in this country in the 1970s.)

We drive to Italy often and never go through France. I suppose it depends on your ferry but getting up to and across Belgium, then Luxemburg (cheap fuel), a wee bit of France at Strasbourg then cross into Germany and down through Basel into Switzerland would be an option.

 

[bh13coupe]

I thought the coupe version of the 212 was based on the 204 chassis?

Hence no room for the bigger fuel tank.

yeah its a pillar-less 204

 

[Headhurts]

All V6- and V8-engined W/S212 get the 80-litre tank as standard, with it being an option on smaller engines.It's in the "Capacities" section of the Owner's Manual (from memory).

Thanks Phil the handbook does not list my car, it lists E400, E500 etc with the E500 has the largest tank and online search shows 66/8 with the eight being the reserve but not sure if the reserve is included in the 66 or is in addition.

 

[Headhurts]

I think you'll do it fairly comfortably on a tank with at least 10-litres to spare as long as you don't cane it. Keep it on cruise on the AutoRoute at around 70 - 75mph and you should get a real 40mpg. With a 20-litre jerry on board too, the biggest risk will be that someone mugs you for it

If you think you're likely to run low, there's always the option of routing yourself through Belgium on the way back - it'll take longer because it's further, but at least you'll be able to fill up again.

Never thought of that, the last time I was in Belgium was because a friend wanted to stock up on cigarettes and porn, of course I was not interested being a non smoker and Puritan.

 

[Yugguy]

I had to smile at the French chap on the news yesterday cheerfully admitting that it was a national pastime for them.

 

[Farmer boy]

Hi sad as I am I log my daily mileage and have the record for my September 2015 E350 Blutec Coupe. The coupe has a 66L tank including 9L reserve. The saloon and estates have 80L including the reserve.
When new 44 mpg on runs over 30 miles. From a trip from Calais to Hornfleur at 130kph averaged 42 mpg.
I have had 583 out of a tank. My last tank of Morrisons fuel gave me 563 miles with 19 miles range left. ( had used the power as the last 318 of this was back down to Milton Keynes to return it to Mercedes.
Keep to 70ish and you will be ok with fuel.

I am off to Honfleur on Monday in my new S205 250d. I expect to fuel at my daughters in Wimbledon both on the way down and back on my return from France with no need to fill up when away.

Last week I did Northumberland to Wimbledon and back on the same tank covering 713 miles with the tank warning just coming on in the last 3 miles. This was not an economy run but one exactly at the speed limits when the heavy traffic allowed.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Headhurts]

Yippee!

Just spoken with the dealership and according to the build spec I have an 80 litre tank.

So I should be ok for fuel.

Thanks to all for your responses, much appreciated.

 

[Ted]

Drive at a snail's pace and carry l'ess cargo and you should be ok.

 

[Farmer boy]

With 80L tank ditch the 20L Jerry can from
the plan and use the space for two cases of wine!

Have a good trip

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Drive at a snail's pace and carry l'ess cargo and you should be ok.

Croak.

 

[survey]

In Spain at present and leaving tomorrow for the drive back to Eurotunnel. 60 litre tank. I have purchased 4 10litre cans and should be OK. It's about 850 miles and I usually get 50+ mpg in France. Trouble is you never know whether roads will be closed by militants causing detours, slow downs etc. Who said vive la France?

 

[Joe_SP]

I'm in France now at Disneyland Paris. I brought 3 10litre jerry cans of petrol in the boot through eurotunnel, this is the max you are allowed.

When I traveled on Wednesday about half the fuel stations had fuel. I kept the car topped up.

Next week I am in Paris, I suspect it will be tricky to get fuel by then as the number of stations with fuel is declining.

However with a full tank and 30l in the boot I can get to Paris and then to the UK, even though the C350e has a small tank.

In my experience I get about 10% better mpg driving in France. My journey here keeping to speed limit was 40mpg in e-save mode.

 

[Headhurts]

In Dover at moment staying at Premier Inn, on way down here I was averaging 53mpg and tank range was way over 800 miles so it should be easy Peasy for me, especially with 20 litres in a Fuel container.

Thanks everyone.

 

[bozmandb9]

Re the 20l jerry can. In addition to causing a problem on the Ferry, or Shuttle (at least if you disclose it), I think you'll also find it will invalidate your insurance, I believe carriage of up to 10l in properly secured 5 litre containers may be legal under DOT regulations, but 20l could be illegal, and invalidate insurance.

Also worth checking the rules in France, of course they won't apply to French drivers anyway! But if you get pulled over for being British, you never know.

See link for advice from RAC, and restrictions on carriage of fuel in Pas de Calais:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36387653

 

[survey]

Re the 20l jerry can. In addition to causing a problem on the Ferry, or Shuttle (at least if you disclose it), I think you'll also find it will invalidate your insurance, I believe carriage of up to 10l in properly secured 5 litre containers may be legal under DOT regulations, but 20l could be illegal, and invalidate insurance.

Also worth checking the rules in France, of course they won't apply to French drivers anyway! But if you get pulled over for being British, you never know.

See link for advice from RAC, and restrictions on carriage of fuel in Pas de Calais:France strikes: How might British travellers be affected? - BBC News

Catch 22 really!

 

[stevehg]

You need to get one of these jerrycans and fill it up. Then if you get caught in a jam caused by protesters, your passengers can enjoy it...

Jerry Can Bar White - Alex's Shed

 

[Joe_SP]

Eurotunnel allow 1 20 litre metal can or 3 10 litre plastic containers.

 

[Joe_SP]

I have driven into central Paris today. Everything seems normal, no supply problems or q's at any petrol stations I passed.