Most car renters know to check the exterior of a rental car for dents or scratches before driving it off the lot. But many drivers overlook the need to check the tires on a rental car.
It’s easy to assume that the rental agency is checking the condition of rental car tires after every dropoff. But often that’s not the case. In fact, over the years, multiple AutoSlash customers have told us that they had gotten a flat while renting a car because the tires were in bad condition.
Driving a car with bald — or nearly bald — tires can not only cause a massive headache, but it can be extremely dangerous.
We recently heard from a AutoSlash customer who shared photos of a bald tire with the threads exposed. A renter on the FlyerTalk forum recounted having to get his rental towed due to bald tires. In both cases, the renters were unsatisfied with how the companies responded to these incidents.
Here’s how to check the tires in your rental car for wear and tear.
How to Check Tires for Safety
Checking the tires on a rental car only takes a minute and could save you and your family from a dangerous situation.
One of the easiest ways to check whether a tire is going bald is to use a penny to check the tread depth. The so-called “penny test” is quick and simple. Turn a penny so that Abraham Lincoln’s head is facing down. Now, insert it into the tread of a tire. If any of Abe’s head disappears into the tread, the tires are fine. But if you can still see Lincoln’s entire head, the tire treads are too worn.
If you suspect your rental car has balding tires, ask for another vehicle before leaving the rental car office. Otherwise, you may run into issues later on and have a hard time covering the expenses.
What to Do If You Get a Flat Tire in a Rental
If you get a flat tire in a rental, follow these steps:
- Once you’ve safely pulled over, call the rental car company’s customer service or roadside assistance hotline to alert them that you are stranded in one of their vehicles with a flat tire. Depending on the situation, you may have to pay for the tire as well as the tow truck.
- Arrange for a tow if you did not opt for the roadside assistance service when renting the vehicle. Check resources like your personal auto insurance policy, credit card or AAA membership might cover the cost of a tow truck.
- Document everything. Take photos of the tires and keep all receipts for any towing expenses, taxi rides or other charges you might incur when getting a flat.
- If you suspect or know your rental car’s tires were bald at the time of rental, clearly mention this to the rental car company and ask for a full refund. Send all documentation to support the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best car rental company in the USA?
Hertz has unrivaled customer service. They will help you find the perfect vehicle for your needs. They have a large selection of vehicles available in all major cities and offer excellent deals. You can rent a vehicle for as little as $10 per hour.
Hertz also provides free airport pickup and drop-off, 24 hour roadside assistance, and even an extensive line of accessories and gear to help ensure your safety while driving in the town.
Visit the Hertz website today if your goal is to have a memorable experience renting a car.
Is it possible to rent a car in Europe if you have a US license
It depends on what country you are visiting. If you are going to France, for example, you can rent cars there but not if you want to go to Italy because they don’t accept US driver’s licenses.
Can I use my credit card to rent a car?
Yes, but be aware that extra fees could be associated with using your card abroad. Compare rates before making any reservations. Many websites allow you to make a reservation without paying until you arrive. This saves you time and money.
Which company is the largest in car rental?
Hertz Corporation is America’s biggest car rental company. Harry Hertz founded Hertz Corporation back in 1919.
Hertz Corporation has more than 6,000 locations around North America and Europe. The company also owns other businesses such as hotels, financial services and automobile parts manufacturing.
Today, the company employs more than 4 million people in all over the world.
Can you drive a rental car between countries in Europe?
If you are planning on driving across Europe, I recommend renting from Hertz. It’s much cheaper than hiring a private driver. They provide great coverage.
You also get unlimited mileage. If you need to rent a car for more than one trip, you have the option of renting multiple cars.
What is needed to rent a car in Europe?
A variety of websites can help you find affordable European rental cars. These include Alamo and Sixt, Europcar or Hertz. Online booking is also an option.
You must ensure that you have all of the necessary information before renting a vehicle, and this includes but is not limited to:
- Your full name and any middle names, if applicable
- The address you are staying
- Date, Time & Place of Pickup
- You can rent a car by the make and model
- Policy number and insurance company
- Additional equipment or special requests?
- Specific details of rental agreements (e.g. duration, rate and deposit; balance due at the end of the trip; excess charges, limits on liability, cancellation penalties, etc.
- Payment method(s) (credit card, debit card, cash, or personal cheque)
Once you have collected all of the above information, you can book your vehicle with one of the companies listed above.
What is the best road trip in Europe?
Road trips that allow you to stop at interesting stops along the way are better than those that just take you from A to Z.
There are many great roads in Europe, but few are as beautiful as the route between Venice and Dubrovnik.
You will be driving through beautiful scenery most of the way. There are plenty of stops along your journey to take in the sights.
Highlights include Torcello and Lido di Jesolo islands on Lake Garda, northern Italy’s Dolomites and Lake Como, and Carcassonne, a walled medieval town in southern France.
Statistics
- You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
- I’d say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.com)
- Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
- If you’re a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
External Links
kayak.com
enterprise.com
jdpower.com
autoslash.com
How To
How can I make sure that I don’t get charged for damage done to my car before it is rented?
What happens if you rent a vehicle and drive it for a few hours? Is it possible to be charged for damage to your rental vehicle if there is a scratch? This is a common problem for anyone renting vehicles from different companies. Even if the customer did not cause any damage to their car while renting it, some agencies will charge them. In order to avoid these charges, it is important that you ask whether the rental car will be charged for any scratches and dents. Here are some ways you can make sure you don’t get charged for any pre-existing damage to a car rental.
- Ask for a scanned copy of the agreement.
- You should carefully read the description of your car.
- Take care to read all the fine print.
- Request a complimentary clean
- You should be careful about the condition of your vehicle.
- Don’t leave anything behind inside the car;
- You should always bring cash when renting a vehicle.
- Keep receipts of all payments;
- Never allow anyone to touch the car without permission.
- Never accept a gift offer from the company.
- Use only a reputable rental agency;
- Always bring your contract.
- You must return the vehicle in its original condition.
- Give your contact info to the agent;
- Do not use the same company too often
- Notify the seller of any important details such as model, mileage, engine size, color and so on. ;
- Take photos to show the extent of the damage.
- Make sure to clean your car.
- Ask a third party to inspect the vehicle.
- Never agree not to pay any additional fees
