Guide To A Smooth Journey

Your guide to a smooth journey

Before setting off – your step by step guide

Step 1 - Check your vehicle carefully for damage

Step 2 - Check your hire agreement
Your hire agreement includes a section for us to record the damage we have identified when we prepared your vehicle. Please ensure your hire agreement has all the damage listed.

Step 3 - Let us know any damage we have not recorded
If you have identified any damage on your vehicle that is not listed on your hire agreement, you must let us know immediately, ideally in person before you leave one of our locations. If you did not pick up your car (or were not present when it was delivered) and find any unrecorded damage, please call the location that supplied your vehicle - you'll find the number on your hire agreement. Alternatively you can leave the details on our Damage Hotline - 08705 666 440 and the hiring location will be notified.

Step 4 - Familiarise yourself with the vehicle
Make sure you know where the controls for essential instruments such as headlights, hazard warning lights and your horn are situated. Remember to adjust your seat and mirrors to suit your preferred driving position. For further information check your Vehicle Instruction Card in the glove compartment.

Step 5 - Plan your journey
If you've decided not to hire one of our sat navs, plan your journeys in advance. This will help you to avoid possible congestion, road works and reduce the chance of getting lost.

Handy tips for your journey

How to save money on fuel and be greener:

• Drive smoothly: try to avoid rapid acceleration and braking - pulling away too fast uses up to 60% more fuel
• Traffic jams: if you're stuck in traffic for more than a few minutes (and it's safe to do so), turn off your engine to cut emissions and conserve fuel
• Keep cool: but try not having the air conditioning on all the time to reduce your fuel consumption

Keeping the kids occupied on long journeys:

• When travelling long distances with young children, it's always a good idea to make sure that a favourite cuddly toy, story CDs or picture books are available to keep them occupied between sleeps
• For older children, iPods and handheld computer games can provide hours of fun, as can story books, simple card or counting games
• Remember to pack non sugary snacks and drinks, such as juices and water and fruit snacks for hungry youngsters
  

Top tips on returning your vehicle

Step 1
Check your vehicle over for any damage. This excludes any ‘fair wear and tear'.

Q. What is normal wear and tear?
We do not regard the below as damage, but as ‘fair wear and tear', therefore it is not required to be recorded.

Paintwork, Body, Bumper and Rubbing Strips

• Marks and surface scratches of less than 25mm that do not penetrate the top coating and can be readily polished out. (Such scratches cannot be felt with a finger nail and will not be visible if water is rubbed across)
• Stone chips of up to 2mm without dent

Window Glass and Lamp Lenses

• Marks that can be readily removed
• Stone chips not exceeding 2mm diameter

Alloy Wheels, Trims and Tyres

• Marks and surface scratches that do not penetrate the top surface and can be readily polished out. (Such scratches cannot be felt with a finger nail and will not be visible if water is rubbed across)
• Even tyre wear appropriate to the mileage of the vehicle

Interior and luggage area

• Marks to trims, seats and carpets that can be readily cleaned or polished off

Step 2
Take care to remove all your belongings.