So when you are out and about and indulging in all the offerings of your latest travel adventure, keep in mind the following tips for ways to protect the undercarriage of your rental vehicle.

Entering & Exiting Driveways

Dips and high rise bumps are all too common with commercial and even residential driveways. We have all either experienced or seen drivers enter or exit a driveway only to have the front undercarriage of their vehicle scrape against the coarse concrete or bitumen.

Take extra care when approaching driveways. Slow down as your speed can impact on your ability to carefully navigate your exit or entrance.

Don’t forget to keep in mind what type of rental vehicle you are driving. If you are used to operating a larger car or an SUV but have hired a compact or standard vehicle, ensure you are aware of the car’s lower ground position.

Parking Near Concrete Barriers

Another one many of us are guilty of is parking over the concrete wheel barriers that are prominent fixtures within many shopping centre car parks. Be careful of their location and avoid parking too close – especially when driving a smaller or standard sized vehicle.

In addition to the concrete wheel barriers, the speed bumps that contain pedestrian crossings (common within shopping centre carparks) can also pose a threat to the front section of your vehicle when you approach at high speeds. Slow down and proceed with caution.

Monitoring Driving Surfaces

Generally, car hire suppliers will stipulate that their rental vehicles are to stay on sealed roads.  Do not expose the vehicle to loose driving surfaces such as, sand (beaches), gravel, dirt tracks, etc.

In certain circumstances, you will find that you may need to navigate areas where loose stones may be present.  Places like new road surfaces and graded main roads undergoing maintenance or road works.  Also the need to maneuver from the main road to pull over on the shoulder, or entering private property that has an unsealed driveway. If you experience these types of situations, be vigilant and drive to the conditions of the road to reduce potential damage.

Navigating the Unexpected

Sometimes we are forced to make quick decisions when driving. This is especially so when we are faced with an unexpected item or object located within our driving path.

When travelling, ensure you are looking ahead to safely see any potential dangers. Don’t travel too close to cars in front and watch traffic flow and movements. You can generally anticipate a change in driving conditions by monitoring how traffic is behaving in front. Take care when there is sudden braking or vehicles swerving.

Don’t run the risk of travelling over an item if you know that it is protruding from the ground. Use common sense and be safe about your decisions.

So when you are looking to book a great rental deal with the added bonus of a complete excess reduction package with an affordable daily rate, then give our friendly team a call on 09 415 8569