Winter driving essentials : Tips for renting a car in winters

Winter driving essentials : Tips for renting a car in winters.

Car rentals in winters are always a go to option for the people preferring to travel in winters. Renting a car in winters provide ease and comfort to travel and conveniently escape the chilled winters outside.

Though, you must take care while renting a car in winters, as it has its own challenges and difficulties while travelling in extreme cold regions. One must make sure that the person driving the car should be an experienced one, whether self booked or rented a car with the driver.

Here are some of the essential tips for ensuring a safe and enjoyable winter trip after renting a car in winters:

1. Choosing the right vehicle: Choosing the right vehicle while renting a car in winters can prove to be a total boon to the travellers. When renting a car in winters, opt for a vehicle which has features suitable for winter driving.

Ensure that you look out for cars that have all wheel drive (AWD) and wheel drive (4WD) systems which provide better traction over slippery areas. One can confirm with the travel agencies whether the car is equipped with winter tires for enhanced and efficient grip in snowy and icy weather conditions.

2. Check weather conditions: Before you start your journey during the winters, stay updated on the weather conditions of the place you are travelling to. Sudden snowstorms, hazily conditions, freezing rain and icy conditions can hamper your journey.

Plan your trip accordingly after properly reviewing the weather conditions and be prepared to adjust your scheduled trip if needed to avoid the extreme weather conditions for safety purposes.

3. Inspect the car rentals: When renting a car in winters, thoroughly examine the car conditions before accepting it.  Check for any existing damage and defect and ensure that all the safety features are intact and are properly working.

Check mainly for the headlights, taillights, brakes, defrosters and familiarize yourself with the car equipments and the working of essential controls including the windshield, wipers, heaters and emergency lights.

4. Plan for daytime driving: Make sure you choose day time for your travel as daytime travel makes it much easier for eyes to forecast the roads, look out for help and avoid risks associated with night time travel.

When renting a car in winters, daytime travel should be your top priority. In winters the days are shorter and the nights are longer and driving in the dark makes it much more challenging.

Daytime travel reduces the risks associated with navigating the icy and snow covered  routes to travel. If the night time travel is unavoidable, do check the working conditions of the headlights, taillights and emergency lights.

5. Install winter tires: Many car renting companies have already the winter tires installed for safety purpose, yet, when renting a car in winters, one should check whether the same are installed or not. If the tires are not installed you can request the car rental company to consider the same and get it installed.

Winter tires help to create a better traction between the tires and the icy and snowy roads making the travel easier and safer thereby reducing the risk of skidding.

6. Drive cautiously: Adjust your driving behaviour according to the climatic conditions and conditions of the roads. Drive cautiously, at a slower speed, increase your following distance, avoid sudden movements and turns.

Be gentle on the brakes and have your hold on the accelerator to prevent the vehicle from skidding. Use lower gears when descending hills to maintain control.

7. Stay informed: When renting a car in winters, make sure that you stay informed about the weather and the road conditions from any local or advisory authorities. There are many websites that have apps and websites that provide you with a real time update. Make sure you have correct information about such websites.

One can keep checking these platforms regularly to stay updated over the decisions that can be made based on the potential climatic conditions.

8. Carry winter essentials: Make sure you pack all the winter essentials when renting a car in winters. Do remember to pack the winter essentials along with some car essentials like snow shovel, ice scraper, wind shield, washer fluid, jumper cables, blankets, warm jackets, flashlight and mufflers.

These items can save you from being cold as well as can come handy during a car breakdown or to clear the road hurdles if any.

9. Monitor Fluid levels: When renting a car in winters, Do check and maintain the essential fluid levels regularly, including oil, antifree levels, windshield washer fluid. Extreme cold temperatures can affect the levels of these fluids and hence ensuring that the levels are proper will contribute to the overall efficiency of the car.

10. Return the car cleaned up: When renting a car in winters, people usually take care of all the things essential for going on a trip yet forget the most essential thing which is to clean up the car and return back a clean and tidy car back to the rental company.

Cleaning up car not only clears up the clogged snow, it also helps the rental company to provide a clean car to the next renter.

Conclusion:

Renting a car in winters, makes the journey easier to stay away from getting ill and searching all over for the transportation. Renting a car also requires careful consideration and pre- preparation too.

By choosing the right vehicle, taking care of weather conditions, staying updated, taking precautions, carrying all the driving essential makes the journey comfortable and safe.