7 Tips for Driving a Rental Car in the Snow
Last Updated on November 14, 2022 by Kristin
Photo credit: ShutterstockTraveling this winter? There’s nothing cozier than watching snow come down outside, until you have to hit the road. Driving in the snow can be stressful, especially if you are not used to it. However, there are several things you can do to prepare for these conditions. Here are some top tips for driving in the snow.
Make sure your rental car is prepared for snow
If you plan to drive in wintry conditions, make sure your rental car is prepared to handle the snow. Make sure the vehicle’s brake pads, batteries, wiper blades and lights are in good condition. Be sure you have sufficient windshield wiper fluid and antifreeze.
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Renting a car in a region that gets significant snowfall? Make sure the car has winter tires that improve traction in icy or wet conditions. You can identify all-season tires because they have “M+S” (for mud and snow) molded onto the side of the tire. Tires rated for “severe snow” are embossed with the symbol of a three-peaked mountain with a snowflake inside.
In addition to making sure the car is well-maintained and has the proper tires, make sure you have essentials for winter travel. These include a tool with a brush for wiping off snow and scraping off ice, a shovel in case you get stuck in the snow, a car emergency kit and spare tire.
Rent an AWD or 4WD vehicle
You might think that 4WD rental cars would be easy to find, but it can actually be difficult to reserve one. Here are some tips:
- Larger SUV classes are more likely to have 4WD/AWD. We recommend booking at least a standard SUV, since many compact and intermediate SUVs are 2WD.
- Rent from an airport location boosts your chances of finding a 4WD since airport locations usually have larger selections of vehicles.
- Rent from a top-tier brand increases the likelihood of snagging a 4WD/AWD model. The big brands tend to have better selections and can pull vehicles from sister companies if needed.
- Sign up for the rental company’s loyalty program is worthwhile since it may give you a bit more clout for vehicle selection.
- Silvercar’s fleet is comprised entirely of Audi AWD vehicles.
- Rent a Jeep. All the major rental car companies offer them in their fleets. They typically use language like “Jeep Wrangler or similar” to avoid guaranteeing that you will get a specific make and model. Your best bet is to select a Jeep when you reserve the vehicle, and then call ahead of pickup to confirm that you will in fact get one.
Defrost and clean your vehicle before driving
If your car is parked outside your hotel and becomes covered in snow, give yourself ample time to clean and defrost the vehicle before heading out. While this can be a pain when in a hurry, cleaning your car well is essential to make sure that you can see outside the windshield and that snow doesn’t fall and obstruct your view while driving. The first step to cleaning a car is to turn the vehicle on and put the vehicle in defrost mode, which can take several minutes to fully activate. Before driving away, make sure your windshield wipers are free of ice and move back and forth as they should.
Drive carefully in snowy weather
If it’s snowing, you’ll want to cut your speed and drive with added caution to avoid losing control of the car. Put extra space between you and other vehicles, as it can take longer to stop in snowy or icy conditions. Avoid making sudden movements and accelerating or decelerating too quickly, which can cause skidding.
Know how to stop skids
Icy and slippery road conditions are common once the snow starts to fall, which may cause your car to skid if you brake suddenly. If you lose control of the vehicle, it’s important to let off the gas and the brakes and, as this educational video shows, steer “into” the slide.
Know your brakes
Most modern-day vehicles have anti-lock braking systems that allow you to keep steering while also trying to stop the car, which can help greatly in winter conditions. If you really need to make an emergency stop in a car with an anti-lock braking system, press down on the brake as hard as possible while also having the ability to steer. ABS brakes make a vibrating sound, which means they are working properly.
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Stay off the road in poor weather conditions
A bit of light snow doesn’t necessarily have to derail your road trip. But if the weather report calls for poor visibility and long periods of snowfall, the best option is to just hole up in your hotel. Don’t rush; make sure to give yourself enough time to get to the airport or reserved restaurant table.
Related:
- How to Drive a Rental Car in Snow and Ice
- What to Know About Colorado’s New Traction Laws and Car Rentals
The post 7 Tips for Driving a Rental Car in the Snow appeared first on AutoSlash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chase Sapphire provides car rental insurance for Ireland.
You can add EUR15 per day to your vehicle insurance. You can also access a wide range of optional extras, including breakdown assistance, theft insurance, and personal accident insurance.
Do you need a car for Europe?
The best solution will depend on where you live and the things you love to do. One European city may have different priorities than one in rural areas.
You also need to think about how long you are going to be in each country. You may need an economical car if there are frequent trips and you don't plan on staying in one place for long.
In most cases, buying an used car is cheaper than renting one. It is often cheaper to buy a used car than rent one in Europe. You save money on fuel, parking fees and maintenance costs.
Another benefit is the fact that you can drive your car without any distractions.
You can find excellent information on car rental in Europe on a variety of websites. Our recommendations are below.
Can I rent an American car if I'm not from the United States?
Without permission from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), you can't rent a vehicle in America if you're not an American citizen. This may include waivers for certain countries. In addition, you must also meet several requirements, including having valid documentation such as a passport and proof of insurance. The DHS website provides additional information on this topic.
Statistics
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
- Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
- I'd say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.com)
- For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day's trip cost. (insider.com)
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
External Links
jdpower.com
- 2021 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study
- 2019 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study | J.D. Power
autoslash.com
alamo.com
- Alamo Rent a Car - Cheap Car Rent in the U.S. & Latin America
- Alamo Insiders - Alamo Rental a Car offer low car rental rates
avis.com
How To
Consider these things when renting a car
What should I consider before booking a rental car?
You must consider the following factors when you book a rental car.
- You can choose from different types of cars (small compact, medium compact, large compacts, SUVs, minivans, etc.)
- Prices for renting vary depending on what vehicle you are renting. For small vehicles and compact cars, it starts at $15 per hour. Larger vehicles will cost more.
- Additional charges, such as mileage fees, will be added to the daily rental price.
- Additional fees will be charged if you hire your vehicle.
- You can rent a car to go anywhere at any time of the day. However, you will have to be aware of some restrictions. This means that you can't rent a car during rush hour.
- You should ensure that the car you choose is within your budget. Also, check whether the car has air conditioning. This is very helpful in hot conditions.
- Make sure you reserve the car you want in advance. Some people don't realize they need one until the last minute.
- Renting cars comes with many safety features. However, carrying a first aid kit and a blanket in an emergency is still advisable.
- A collision damage waiver may be an option. It's optional, but this will save you money on insurance.
- Special needs can be requested during your booking process and upon your arrival, if you have any special needs.
- Be sure to pack everything you own and bring your credit and ID cards.
- Keep your eyes open while driving. Stay focused and avoid distractions.
- If you are involved in an auto accident, immediately contact the police.
- You must turn the car in after you are done with it. Otherwise you'll be fined.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://rentacar24.org/car-rental-news/the-most-effective-black-friday-and-also-cyber-monday-traveling-bargains/
https://rentacar24.org/rent-a-car-europe/7-tips-for-driving-a-rental-car-in-the-snow/
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