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SHOULD YOU GET A RENTAL CAR FOR YOUR SUMMER ROAD TRIP?
American Pride Automotive • May 17, 2013
When getting ready to hit the road for a big summer vacation, there are a million details to coordinate. From securing a pet-sitter to finding an affordable hotel with great amenities, a lot of planning has to happen before you can sit back, relax and actually enjoy the vacation.
One of the most obviously important questions you have to answer is, “How are we going to get there?” Plane, train or automobile (or boat, if you want to be really adventurous)? Comparative cost will likely be a key deciding factor when it comes to choosing your mode of transportation, along with comfort and convenience of course.
If you elect to travel by car and your destination is a considerable distance from home, you might face the dilemma of whether to drive your own vehicle or to get a rental car. As with most things in life, there are pros and cons on each side, and your decision will be based on your unique circumstances as no two cars, budgets or travel itineraries are exactly the same!
Should you take your vehicle or invest in a rental as you travel this summer? Here are a few factors to consider:
WHETHER YOU LEASE OR OWN
Since most leased vehicles have mileage limits built into the lease agreement, you may want to seriously consider getting a rental car for a long road trip (unless you rarely drive that leased vehicle). No need to incur hefty fees for exceeding the mileage cap in order to avoid rental fees!
THE CONDITION OF YOUR VEHICLE
If you have an older car with high mileage or known issues, do yourself a favor and take a rental, because nobody wants to spend their hard-earned vacation waiting for the tow-truck on the side of I-95. And hey, rentals are usually a maximum of one year old and many have pretty cool extras that your older vehicle doesn’t. Make the cool rental car part of your vacation!
However, if your vehicle is in good shape (pending a road trip check!) and you have no qualms about putting an extra few thousand miles on it, you probably don’t need a rental car.
WHETHER YOU PREFER TO PAY NOW OR LATER
No matter which way you slice it, driving a car a long distance, whether it’s your own or a rental, costs a pretty penny.
Many people are deterred from renting a car because of the assortment of extra fees rental places charge in addition to the per-day rate, but with a little research and deal-spotting detective work, you can save a lot of money by renting.
Rental costs are upfront (unless you get in an accident, and even then your existing insurance should cover the damages), while the costs of driving your own car are often hidden in the future; the extra wear-and-tear per mile draws the date for scheduled maintenance closer than it would be otherwise and puts a heftier number on the service receipt. The costs of taking your vehicle on a big trip even extend past maintenance fees, especially if you intend to sell it or trade it in eventually, because additional mileage drags down resale value.
If you do decide to take your vehicle on vacation, lessen the risk by keeping up with your regularly scheduled maintenance and by bringing it into American Pride for a road trip check about two weeks before you are set to leave. A road trip check involves the following:
- Tire inspection and refill as needed.
- Car-wide fluid level check and refill
- Inspection of all belts and hoses for cracks and wear
- Brake check
- Battery test
- Exhaust system inspection
We will make sure your car is safe to drive so you can focus on relaxing wherever the summer takes you. Call or contact American Pride today. Happy travels!
We want to say thank you to all of our healthcare and first responders. Please accept this specialized offer.
You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.
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