*Updated for 2022*
Why is collecting a rental car in winter any different?
There are a few key differences that may impact your experience when collecting a rental car in winter. Whether it’s the higher chances of collecting when it’s dark, winterisation, or the icy and snowy conditions, there are a few things you should always bear in mind. We’ve covered our top 5 top tips for collecting in winter here, but all the usual top tips for collecting a car still apply.
1. Low on light? Take extra time to check over the car!
Collecting in the winter months means a much higher chance of collecting the car when it’s dark. This can add an extra challenge to getting that pre-rental car inspection as comprehensive as it needs to be. Bring a handy torch with you when collecting to make sure you find and report every scuff and mark. This is helpful to make sure you don’t accidentally get charged for pre-existing damage. Your phone most likely has a torch on it too so always makes a good backup!
2. Get to grips with winterisation.
Winterisation is just a fancy name for preparing the rental car for wintery conditions. You can check out the most common questions about it here. Here though, we wanted to make sure you’re prepped for everything you need to know when it comes to winterisation. So our tip is just to make sure you’ve got everything you need before you drive away.
A quick check to make sure that you’ve got everything you need to drive the car safely in wintery conditions like snow or ice is all that’s needed. In places where snow and ice are common, snow socks or snow chains might be compulsory so check that you’ve got these before you drive away. Either already fitted to the car are waiting to be used in the boot. If the car doesn’t need snow socks or chains, a quick look at all the tyres to make sure they’ve still got life in them is always a good idea. Along with this, making sure that everything you’ll need is working fine is always a good idea. Check the washer fluid, that the lights are working in dipped and full beam and that the brakes aren’t overly worn.
3. Know the regulations for where you’re going.
Did you know that in France you’re required to have 2 breathalysers in the car at all times? No? That’s just one of the many niche regulations that span the world that you should know about.
It does depend on where you’re going but our advice here is to double-check that everything that’s required in the car is there before you drive away. A quick Google search can be helpful to double-check if you’ve missed anything. If anything’s missing, make sure to let the rental provider know. This is more important in winter since these regulations could include safety equipment that you could need in an emergency!
4. Check your feet before you go.
Simple one here, if you’ve walked across an icy, snowy or wet car park to get to your car, take a few minutes to clean your shoes before you get in. This will help you in a few ways, firstly it might save you dirtying up the interior unnecessarily to save you some money on cleaning. Secondly, the last thing you want is to be slipping on those pedals as you get used to driving a new car on new roads. It’s not a risk worth taking if you slip on the brake and have a collision or curb an alloy.
5. Think about safety stuff that’s not included.
Lastly, we recommend taking some initiative and bringing some supplies that aren’t essential but are helpful in a pinch. This can also cover things that aren’t required in a car’s winterisation setup but are essential in tackling wintery conditions.
- De-icer and windscreen scraper
- Good stock of warm clothes, gloves and fresh socks
- Spare blanket in case of a breakdown somewhere cold
- A spare battery pack to keep your phones charged up
Book your winter car rental with Zest!
Rent a car with Zest in winter for exclusive inclusions, excess protection, and no hidden costs. Beware that some unreputable providers may hide winterisation costs within the booking process! If you still have questions about renting a car in winter, get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have!
