Now that you’ve signed for your rental car from an outfit like Budget, you should take a deep breath first. There are things you need to do first, before you just drive the car off the rental lot.
- Adjust everything to suit you. Start with the rearview mirror and then the side mirrors. Now set the driver’s seat to the right distance from the steering wheel, so you have enough leg room. Then adjust the tilt of the back, so you can lean back comfortably.
- Set up the radio. It’s best if you can use your smartphone here via Bluetooth to take advantage of the car speakers. Using your own smartphone lets you play your own music, and you won’t have to be distracted by fiddling with the radio while on the road. That’s just asking for trouble. In fact, you may even want to set up your own playlist of driving music for an especially fun time.
- Set up the navigation. The days of unfolding a paper map is over, so use the GPS or a navigational app. Set up the GPS as low as you can on the windshield, while it’s still easy enough to see for you. The goal here is to allow you to check your way at a glance, while the GPS doesn’t distract you while you’re driving. Also, do make certain you enter the correct destination.
- Drive it around the lot. If you’re like most people, the car you rent won’t be quite the same as the car you normally drive at home. That’s understandable, but you need to make sure you get a proper feel for the car first before you take it out on the freeway or congested city streets. Get a feel for the size of the car when you try to park it. Check out the sensitivity of the brake and gas pedals as well.
Once you’re all done with these 4 steps, the next step is to have fun and stay safe with your new rental!
