There are times you may need a car rental, perhaps for business, pleasure or maybe you don’t have the use of your own car and need one for several days. Whatever reason you may have to get a rental car, there are a few checklist items you should do just to be on the safe side.
It also helps if you have a little knowledge about cars. However, you can still do a few essential things when you rent a car to ensure things go smoothly, so don’t worry! Let’s take a closer look at the important check-ups in your car rental checklist:
Car Rental Checklist #1: Check The Car For Damage
Checking for damage should be the first item in your car rental checklist. Sometimes, a rental car may have some kind of damage that was missed, or perhaps a thorough check has not yet been performed. The car may also be in a place or position where it is difficult to tell. What you need to do is to check for any damages by walking around it so that you can see every part of the car easily. Look for dents, scratches and other forms of damage, Pay attention to the bumper because if it has any cracks, this can easily break if you were involved in a collision.
Also, pay attention to the windshield. A small crack may be easily missed and this crack could get bigger while you have the car. You need to make sure that the company is aware of any damage, otherwise, you are going to be held responsible for this damage. Do not accept a verbal agreement; make sure you get it in writing.
Car Rental Checklist #2: Check All Fluids
As you know, there will be different fluids in a car like engine oil, washer fluid, antifreeze and several others. If you can, make sure to check these. Normally, the rental company takes care of this, but why take a chance? For example, perhaps someone has not done it yet or there could be a leak. Some of these fluids can easily be topped up by the company before you head off with the car. Brake fluid, transmission fluid and power steering fluid are all very important also. These fluids do not really go down that much at all and if they do, well, there is obviously a big problem somewhere, so the best thing to do is to take another car instead.
Car Rental Checklist #3: Check The Lights
Make sure to check all lights before you leave. If someone is with you, then get them to help you check it. If alone, then ask someone in the rental company to help you check it. Check the brake lights, headlights and signal indicators and make sure all lights are in good working order. You don’t want to have an accident, right? This won’t take long and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Car Rental Checklist #4: Check The Tires
Checking the tires is the final item in the car rental checklist. Check to see if the tires are in good shape and if it is safe to drive the car. Underinflated tires could cause a major problem especially if you’re on the highway. Look for uneven tread wear as this is a strong indication that there is an alignment (or suspension) problem.
Verifying this car rental checklist can help ensure your safety and also protect you from being blamed. It may take some of your time to follow this checklist, but when you consider what might happen if you aren’t careful, this is time well spent.
