A car rental can be very important for your travels, as you may well be spending quality time with your family on vacation, or you may be pursuing business leads around the city. A rental car is always convenient, yet there's always a chance for problems to creep into the situation. We have laid down this guide to take you step-by-step through issues with a rental car, show you how to troubleshoot them, and guide you to the solution.
Understanding Common Rental Car Problems
So let's learn how to troubleshoot before we get going. The common issues that may come up in a rental car include:
Mechanical Problems: These can vary from problems with the engine to problems with the transmission. Any type of mechanical fault could occur when you are least expecting it, especially when the car is taken poorly.
Flat Tires: Such a problem can be triggered for many reasons, such as due to potholes on the road, sharp objects on the road, and the natural wear and tear of the tires.
Dead Battery: Leave the lights on, and you're looking at a dead battery, or the battery is way old and cannot perform well.
Lockout: You lose your keys in the car. Who hasn't, right? That's pretty frustrating to deal with.
Accident: You can be the most cautious driver in the world, but accidents happen. Knowing how to deal with this kind of situation is essential.
Navigation Problems: Navigation unit problems or connectivity to a smartphone can cause a problem with your travel plan.
Fuel Problems: It can be hard to determine whether you have the wrong kind of fuel or are out of gasoline, especially if you are not familiar with the local area.
Understanding what could go wrong, let's now discuss the troubleshooting tips and steps towards resolution.
Troubleshooting Rental Car Issues
1. Mechanical Issues
Troubleshooting:
If you hear strange noises, notice a warning light on your dashboard, or feel your car losing power, pull over and shut off the engine.
Refer to the owner's manual for repair suggestions unique to that car.
Repair Instructions:
This should be done as early as possible by contacting the rental company so that they can be informed of the problem and its location.
Follow their instructions; they might send a roadside assistance team or guide where to get the vehicle serviced.
2. Flat Tires
Troubleshooting
When you suspect a flat tire, stop on the side of the road and check your tires.
If you have a tire pressure, check the tire pressure to be sure.
Resolution Steps:
Most rental cars come with spare tires, jacks, and some tools. If you feel comfortable, you can also change your tire.
Call the rental company if you can't change the tire or if the car has a flat tire that cannot be removed. They can either provide roadside assistance or send someone to help.
3. Battery Failure
Troubleshooting:
Check if the headlights and dashboard lights are on if it doesn't start. If they don't work either, maybe the car has a dead battery.
Hear clicking when turning that key in the ignition.
Resolution Steps:
If you have jumper cables and can find another vehicle nearby, you can jump-start the car yourself. However, make sure to follow the proper procedure for jump-starting the car.
If you can't, call the rental agency. They usually can have roadside assistance come and help jump-start the batteries.
4. Lockouts
Troubleshooting:
If you lock your keys in the car by mistake, see whether you have an extra set or left them with someone else.
Resolution Steps:
Call the car rental company. They usually have procedures for helping customers in lockout situations, such as dialing a locksmith or obtaining a spare key.
Use an application on your smartphone to unlock the car if it is equipped with smart technology.
5. Accidents
Troubleshooting:
Call the police and, if possible, get the officer to complete a report. You might need to use it later to obtain insurance.
Get the driver and all passengers safe.
Try to move the car to a safe position on a side road.
Resolution Steps
Call the police and let them know what has just occurred. File a report from the police officer in case you need it for insurance.
Report the accident to the rental company. They will inform you how to proceed, including steps to make an insurance claim if necessary.
Photograph the accident scene and both vehicles for your record.
6. Navigation Problems
Troubleshooting:
If the GPS is not working, the first step to check is the GPS device settings and ensure it is on at your current location.
With a smartphone, ensure that data is connected and the location services can operate.
Resolution Steps
Check whether the GPS device can be reset or try to restart your phone.
If your GPS still has problems, use a mapping application on your phone or ask locals for directions.
If the GPS device fails to work, report to the rental company and ask them to replace it or explain what to do.
7. Fuel Issues
Troubleshooting
If your supply runs out, then mark down your current location and search nearby for some gas stations.
If you mistakenly fill the wrong fuel type, do not start the engine, as it could ruin the vehicle quite badly.
Resolution Steps
If you run out of fuel, you must walk to the nearest gas station to buy fuel or call roadside assistance for help.
Contact the rental company immediately if you have put in the wrong fuel. They will tell you how to proceed, and often, it's necessary to tow the car to the service station.
Emergency Contacts and Support
In case of a problem in your rental car, you are supposed to have a list of emergency contacts. Here is the most important number for you to have handy:
Rental Car Company: Save this customer service number in your phone. This should be the first call you make when you have problems.
Roadside Assistance: Most rental companies offer 24/7 roadside assistance. Be sure that you know the contact number and what services are covered.
Local Emergency Services: If there is a major crash or emergency, be ready to have the local emergency services number handy, such as 911 in the United States of America.
Insurance Company Information: If you have purchased personal car insurance or individual rental insurance, ensure the information of your insurance provider is available
Emergency Contact Person: Contacting one of your family members or a friend in an emergency is very convenient.
Resolution Steps for Effective Problem Management
Dealing with problems with rental cars can be handled with the following steps in managing the situation at hand:
Keep Your Cool: It's very easy to get overwhelmed, but keeping your cool will let you think clearly and act rationally.
Assess the Situation: Try to clarify what happened and assess any immediate risks due to traffic or injuries involved in the accident.
Document Everything: Keep records of all communication with the rental company, especially the time, date, and names of representatives with whom you spoke.
Follow Instructions: So long as you follow the instructions that have been set by the rental company, you are assured of receiving help from the experts. Process them step by step with you, and then you will be able to get out of the situation.
Ask for Help: If you feel like the problem is getting too out of hand, do not hesitate to ask the rental company for help or for roadside assistance, along with some help from the local authorities.
Conclusion
Encountering issues with your rental car is very stress-provoking, but if you prepare well in advance and know what to look for to solve problems, that's the easiest way out. If you encounter a mechanical failure, flat tire, or some other mishap, it is much more efficient to be prepared in case something like that comes up. Always carry a list of emergency contacts with you and discuss the support services available from the rental company. Armed with a little knowledge and preparation, you would be better equipped to deal with most of the problems with any rental car and enjoy your trip without a hitch.
