Moving on to cars: First thing you do in a rental car?
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2002
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Moving on to cars: First thing you do in a rental car?
(1) Inhale. If it's a smoking car, I go back to the #1 Club Gold desk and ask for something else.
(2) Look at the contract. Verify the rate and coupon/discount codes.
(3) Check fuel level to make sure it's full.
After that, I set about adjusting the seat/mirrors etc...
(2) Look at the contract. Verify the rate and coupon/discount codes.
(3) Check fuel level to make sure it's full.
After that, I set about adjusting the seat/mirrors etc...
#3
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Exclusively OMNI/PR, for Reasons
Posts: 4,188
Originally Posted by pinniped
(1) Inhale. If it's a smoking car, I go back to the #1 Club Gold desk and ask for something else.
(2) Look at the contract. Verify the rate and coupon/discount codes.
(3) Check fuel level to make sure it's full.
After that, I set about adjusting the seat/mirrors etc...
#4
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Originally Posted by PorkRind
I do that before I sign the contract or get in the car.
At most of the airports where I rent, the contract is hanging from the rear-view mirror when I get in it. That's why I'm sitting there in the car when I review it.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: DCA/IAD
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Posts: 4,007
I usually rent from National so I don't get a printed contract---I just walk on the lot and pick a car from the Executive Selection area.
After putting my bags in the back, the first thing I do is adjust the seat. I'm 6'2" so most of the time the seat is pushed up far too much. I try to rent cars with power seats to make this task easier. Mirror adjustment comes next, followed by setting the radio presets to my preferred stations when I'm in a familiar city.
After putting my bags in the back, the first thing I do is adjust the seat. I'm 6'2" so most of the time the seat is pushed up far too much. I try to rent cars with power seats to make this task easier. Mirror adjustment comes next, followed by setting the radio presets to my preferred stations when I'm in a familiar city.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: TX
Programs: WN A List Preferred and CP, AA, IHG Spire, Hertz #1 Gold 5*, Hilton Diamond, Enterprise Platinum
Posts: 1,269
Adjust seats (I'm 6'8")
punch in destination address on Hertz NeverLost
search for desired radio stations
then drive away
punch in destination address on Hertz NeverLost
search for desired radio stations
then drive away
#7
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BWI
Posts: 212
Before my luggage ever hits the trunk, I do a 'walk-around' to inspect the car for scratches, dents and other damage that I do not want to be charged for. It took a while to get into this habit, but now it is more like a rental ritual!
#8
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
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I normally hire from Sixt, who do the walk-around with you when you pick up the car.
So, the only thing I do really is the drill from my driving lesson days. DSSSM - doors, seat, seatbelt, steering wheel, mirrors.
And then the music, of course...
So, the only thing I do really is the drill from my driving lesson days. DSSSM - doors, seat, seatbelt, steering wheel, mirrors.
And then the music, of course...
#9
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: El Paso, TX, USA
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- Bags in the trunk
- Turn on laptop and plug in GPS
- Adjust seat
- Turn on A/C
- Turn on Radio
- Check Fuel Gage
- Press brake
- Switch gears
- Look for incoming traffic
- Greet rental car person
- Ask how to get to road X
- Drive on
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Reston, Virginia, USA
Posts: 653
Clean the inside of the windshield. I snag a paper towel, or a bit of moistened newspaper will do.
Rental cars run to pretty new. The plastic upholstry "blooms" plasticisers, lubricants and other chemical junk that makes up new car smell. The chemicals plate out on the inside of the windshield. Pretty soon the windshield has a film like a 2-pack a day smokers windshield. The first time one meets some nipplehead with blazing high beams the film turns opaque.
Somehow, not even the majors clean the inside every time.
Rental cars run to pretty new. The plastic upholstry "blooms" plasticisers, lubricants and other chemical junk that makes up new car smell. The chemicals plate out on the inside of the windshield. Pretty soon the windshield has a film like a 2-pack a day smokers windshield. The first time one meets some nipplehead with blazing high beams the film turns opaque.
Somehow, not even the majors clean the inside every time.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Posts: 182
Rental car? What Rental car?
Just kidding - I've been at a client since August where the hotel is pretty much attached to the office building, so I haven't been renting a car (I was leery about this at first - "I'm from Houston, I can't live without a car," type thing, but it's been working).
I'm usually 5* or President's at Hertz, though, so here are my routines:
Find out if they gave me a cassette player - this is harder and harder to find these days, but I request it because I like to listen to novels on tape (much better than on CD).
Move the seat back (I'm only 5'10", so I'm short compared to most of you guys, but the seat is always to far forward from the cleaning.
Adjust the mirrors.
Find the good AM radio stations (news/talk).
IF I'm using AlwaysLost, I will plug the address in so that it can tell me I'm going the wrong way as I navigate to the exit. If I have my own GPS with me, I plug it in and turn it on.
I never check the contract hanging from the windshield - guess I should, but I've never really had any problems. One time I noticed that they were charging me for AlwaysLost when I had not requested it, and called to have that taken off, but, for the most part, my bill is what I expect it to be.
One other thing is that I've rented from a local Enterprise a couple of times when my car was in the shop and they are very careful about having me inspect the car for damage prior to accepting it. I don't like this - I have rented from Hertz hundreds of times without only one damage problem (a car spiraled into my lane and I tapped it while trying to stop - even then, it was me telling Hertz about it and it was more paperwork than damage). The "inspection" makes me feel like they are going to charge me if someone puts a door ding in the side while I'm in a parking lot, or if I overlook a door ding during the inspection.
I'm usually 5* or President's at Hertz, though, so here are my routines:
Find out if they gave me a cassette player - this is harder and harder to find these days, but I request it because I like to listen to novels on tape (much better than on CD).
Move the seat back (I'm only 5'10", so I'm short compared to most of you guys, but the seat is always to far forward from the cleaning.
Adjust the mirrors.
Find the good AM radio stations (news/talk).
IF I'm using AlwaysLost, I will plug the address in so that it can tell me I'm going the wrong way as I navigate to the exit. If I have my own GPS with me, I plug it in and turn it on.
I never check the contract hanging from the windshield - guess I should, but I've never really had any problems. One time I noticed that they were charging me for AlwaysLost when I had not requested it, and called to have that taken off, but, for the most part, my bill is what I expect it to be.
One other thing is that I've rented from a local Enterprise a couple of times when my car was in the shop and they are very careful about having me inspect the car for damage prior to accepting it. I don't like this - I have rented from Hertz hundreds of times without only one damage problem (a car spiraled into my lane and I tapped it while trying to stop - even then, it was me telling Hertz about it and it was more paperwork than damage). The "inspection" makes me feel like they are going to charge me if someone puts a door ding in the side while I'm in a parking lot, or if I overlook a door ding during the inspection.
#13
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Aside from the usual things already posted, two more things:
1. Make sure the registration is still current. I was stopped by the California Highway Patrol once for driving a Hertz car with expired registration near San Diego. I took it back to my hotel and called Hertz. They said "just bring it back and get a different car." I said "No way. I've already been stopped once driving your car. If anyone gets stopped in it again, it ain't gonna be me. This is where your car is, the key is under the driver's seat, I expect a new car there within two hours." It was.
2. Make sure there is a cap on the fuel filler pipe. You usually have to open the cover to check. I don't know why that Alamo car was missing one, but I first found out when I went to refill it.
1. Make sure the registration is still current. I was stopped by the California Highway Patrol once for driving a Hertz car with expired registration near San Diego. I took it back to my hotel and called Hertz. They said "just bring it back and get a different car." I said "No way. I've already been stopped once driving your car. If anyone gets stopped in it again, it ain't gonna be me. This is where your car is, the key is under the driver's seat, I expect a new car there within two hours." It was.
2. Make sure there is a cap on the fuel filler pipe. You usually have to open the cover to check. I don't know why that Alamo car was missing one, but I first found out when I went to refill it.
#14
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: YVR
Posts: 150
I KNEW this is coming!
walk around car to make sure no visible damage, and no leaking fluid on ground.
then get in, check to make sure all the paperwork is in the car, adjust seat, mirrors, get my map out, and drive away.
Wonder what's next. First thing you do when you get on the plane (between arriving at seat to buckling up)?
walk around car to make sure no visible damage, and no leaking fluid on ground.
then get in, check to make sure all the paperwork is in the car, adjust seat, mirrors, get my map out, and drive away.
Wonder what's next. First thing you do when you get on the plane (between arriving at seat to buckling up)?
#15
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Seattle WA, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, AS Lounge
Posts: 3,478
While checking for dents and scratches I eyeball the tires to see if any of them look really low. I'm usually at Hertz and it amazes me how many cars have significantly underinflated tires (yes, I bring a tire pressure gauge with me. ) I'm not getting on the freeway with tires containing 14 lbs of pressure.