How can you prepare your car holiday? You can find a few tips here!

Drive with serenity and safety in mind

1. Regularly check the general condition of your (electric) car:
   • the wear and pressure of the tyres;
   • the windscreen wipers;
   • the fluid levels;
   • the position of the mirrors;
   • the lights (indicators, headlights and other lights).
2. Be sure to use summer tyres. In warmer weather, the stiffer rubber in summer tyres is far more resistant to wear than the rubber in winter tyres. It also improves grip and braking distance. Furthermore, using winter tyres in summer increases your vehicle’s fuel consumption and, therefore, reduces its range.
3. Distribute weight evenly across the vehicle so that nothing can slip or move around. A poorly loaded car poses a risk on the road.
   • Please note: a roof box, heavy luggage, bicycles and/or your trailer will increase your consumption, so take this into account when planning your trip.
4. For electric bikes, it is important to have a suitable luggage carrier.

Using your electric car to reach your holiday destination?

1. Make sure your battery is fully charged before you start your journey.
2. Plan your route in advance.
3. You can often get an idea of the number of stops on your journey through your car’s on-board computer. You can use the convenient ‘A Better Route Planner’ app to do so. Do not forget to compare the compatibility of your key fob with the suggested charging points using the 50five e-mobility (Numobi) or Luminus Easy Charging app.

   50five e-mobility (Numobi)

     

   Luminus Easy Charging

     

4. Adjust your speed. The faster you drive, the faster the battery level will run down. Drive in “eco-driving” mode if available. For example, air resistance is reduced by 15% when you drive at 110 km/h instead of at 120 km/h.
5. Do not wait to recharge your car battery until is almost empty: plan intermediate stops when your charge level is at roughly 20%. This means that you can, if necessary, always look for an alternative. Better three short charging sessions than one long charging session.
6. If necessary, make a night stop. This is an excellent opportunity to recharge your own batteries alongside your electric car.
7. Does your accommodation have charging facilities?
8. Do not forget your home charging cable! It may also be useful once you arrive at your destination.
9. Cool your vehicle while charging. Cooling a warm car requires more electricity than it does to maintain the temperature of a cool car.
10. Increase your range by using the vehicle electronics as little as possible while driving.
11. Use “One Pedal Driving” mode: when you release the accelerator pedal of an electric vehicle, this energy will regenerate and you will lose more speed than in a conventional vehicle.

I am going on holiday and I am not forgetting to...

• Take the identity documents of all family members, your driving licence and the valid vehicle documents (e.g. white card).
• Remember your motorway vignette. This is mandatory in a number of countries (including Switzerland, Austria, some German city centres, etc.).
• Is all legally required equipment in the car? Make sure you have a safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher and fluorescent safety jackets.
• Is your loyal four-legged friend going on holiday? Do not forget its European passport.
• Have your sunglasses, a bottle of water and some food for yourself and the other passengers.
• Bring some books and games to keep the children occupied.
• Also plan enough breaks for a rest and to have a bite to eat.

Travelling abroad?

1. First check your employer’s car policy. Are you allowed to travel abroad by (electric) car?
2. Have your country of destination and the countries you will cross opened or closed their borders to foreign tourists? Please visit the Belgian Foreign Affairs website for more information on the situation for each country.
3. Are there any restrictions in your destination country or the countries through which you are travelling? Avoid fines and stay well informed about the mobility and traffic regulations in European countries. More information can be found on Touring's website.
4. Does your country of destination and the countries through which you are travelling not appear on your "white" insurance card? If so, please contact our insurance department at insurance.be@arval.be (if this is included in your lease contract) or your own insurance company.
5. Request your Drive Certificate if you are travelling outside the Schengen Area or the EU. Please request this via Renta Drive.
6. Travelling to Morocco, Tunisia or Turkey? Please take into account that specific customs conditions apply, which may result in problems with the repatriation of persons or the vehicle in the event of immobilisation.
7. Find the nearest service station abroad (if you are allowed to refuel abroad):
   • via the NFC website or app if you have an NFC fuel card
   • via the Shell website or app, if you have a Shell fuel card
   • via the Total website or app if you have a Total fuel card
8. Are you driving an electric car? Seek out the nearest charging station via the 50five e-mobility (Numobi) app or Luminus Easy Charging if you have a charging card that you can use abroad.

   50five e-mobility (Numobi)

     

   Luminus Easy Charging

     

9. Are you experiencing problems with your charging card? Call Numobi or Luminus directly and they will help you straight away.
   • Numobi: +32 (0)3 303 41 01
   • Luminus: +32 (0)2 289 90 90

Do not forget to download the My Arval Mobile app

This app gives you all the information that you need regarding your lease car. With just one click, you are in contact with Arval Driving Experience and have instant access to:

• all essential data and documents relating to your vehicle (authorisation to drive the vehicle and the "white" insurance card if you are insured by Arval);
• other documents that can be downloaded, such as your vehicle registration;
• a map showing local service partners; and
• an overview of your vehicle’s maintenance and/or repair history.

Read more about My Arval Mobile on our website..

Roadside assistance

In the event of a breakdown, call Arval Assistance on +32 (0)2 245 73 72 or call your own assistance provider (if assistance is not included in your contract). To avoid stress, save the assistance number and the European emergency number (112) in your phone.

Do you need assistance abroad? Ask the garage to contact the Arval entity in the country where you are located to arrange the invoicing. Arval will cover the repair costs and, in most cases, you will not have to pay anything yourself.

We wish you a successful, stress-free holiday!

Arval Driving Experience Team