How to Take Care of a Rental

by Novus AutoGlass Novus Auto Glass

Renting a car is a great way of exploring a new location. You aren’t limited to following any particular tourist route, and you can make as many stops as you please along the way. You can take the road less travelled - literally. However, those old, bumpy roads aren’t always the best at keeping your rental car in peak condition. Overall, holiday travel means driving for an extended period of time and through a variety of seasonal conditions. These all take a toll on a vehicle. Considering your paying a pretty penny to rent out a holiday car, you want to make sure it’s in prime condition. Not to mention, I’m sure you want to get that deposit back. To ease your mind on such issues, so that you can solely focus on enjoying your holiday, we’ll gather some key advice on rental maintenance.

Stay on Paved Roads

Most rental agreements will specify that the rented car is only permitted to be driven on paved roads. Therefore, taking the risk of going off-road could run the risk of a lost deposit if anything goes wrong. Off-road doesn’t necessarily mean going four-wheel driving across bushland. Driving on grass, gravel and sand is technically off-road driving. Getting bogged down could mean getting stuck with large fees and no deposit. Not only do you run the risk of having the car physically stuck in the ground, but you could damage surfaces of the car by driving across loose gravel and unstable grounds. Small pebbles and rocks can fling from your tyres and scratch paint. If you’re driving behind someone, your windscreen could become cracked or chipped. Therefore, it’s best to play it safe and stay on nice, smooth paved roads.

Keep Your Car Clean

You’re usually not expected to clean your rental car before returning it; however, it is it exceptionally dirty, you may be charged a cleaning fee. So, it’s best to give it a quick clean inside and outside before giving it back to the dealer. One big tip for cleaning is to only wash by hand. Taking your car through a car wash may result in unexpected damage, which could cost you your deposit. Most car wash stations will have a self-wash section. Nothing beats grabbing a sponge and some soapy water and getting it done yourself. Make sure to clean windows and windscreens inside and out, to remove any smudges or dirt. Also, pick up any rubbish you have left in the car, especially food which may lead to unpleasant odours.

Maintaining a clean and damage-free car is essential when using rental services. Nothing ruins a holiday like extra fees and legal hassles. To ensure you get your deposit back, make sure you’re taking the best care possible of your rented vehicle. Remember these key tips for your next road trip or holiday!

Novus Autoglass are window and windscreen experts. For over 47 years, Novus has been servicing, repairing and replacing windscreen to get people their cars back in prime condition. Is your windscreen looking a little worse for wear? Contact us today.