4 Important Check-Ups In Your Car Rental Checklist

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 things 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 things, so not to worry. Let’s take a closer look at some of the things you can do when you rent a car as this could make a big difference whether things go smoothly or not.

1. Check The Car For Damage

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.

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.

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.

4. Check The Tires

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.

Checking these things can help ensure your safety and also protect you from being blamed. It may take some of your time to do all of this but when you consider what might happen if you aren’t careful, this is time well spent.