Making Sure Everything Works Right In Your Rental Car

When you are renting a vehicle don't be afraid to look under the hood. You will be entrusting your life and the lives of your family and friends to the reliability of this vehicle and you have not only the right to look under the hood but an obligation to do so. One of the most common problems with rental vehicles is also one of the most simple to address and that is low fluid levels.

When it comes to oil and water they are two things that may really make or break the engine of any motor vehicle and while it's ideal to think that every single time a car or truck comes back to the rental agency that they have it looked over by a mechanic, this may not be the case. Most larger companies do make this a standard practice and smaller companies not so much. However, even the larger companies can overlook an inspection or two on a busy rental week and while most vehicles will not be driven hard enough for this to be an issue if a motor vehicle were to develop a leak the engine could potentially be blown by a lack of water or oil.

Now while the vehicle itself would not technically be your responsibility if you and you family are stranded roadside in an unfamiliar region or on the side of a highway you may just find yourself in the middle of a life threatening situation. It is never safe to be stuck on the side of the road and if the car or truck catches fire then you can really be in a pickle.

Don't just count on looking for an idiot light to be on on the dashboard either. While many vehicles will show a light on the dash when fluid levels become dangerously low they often don't show up when the vehicle is cold. So if you really want to know if the vehicle you are about to take off the lot is in good shape don't hesitate to pop the hood and pull the dipstick and radiator cap off. And if you have any further concerns about the condition of the car or what you see under the hood then ask to see the service logs for that vehicle.

As a last resort, you can refuse to take the vehicle that they are offering you if you feel as if it is not all that it should be. In any case, don't hesitate to make a stink when you think that the car you are being offered is not up to your safety standards. After all it is always a better choice to walk away then to settle for a vehicle that could wind up causing harm to you or your family.