On_my_own_info

Auto Rental

Automotive

Auto Rental

Renting a car is not going to be easy if you are under 25. This is an area where there is no specific “this is the way it is” answer. You will need to check with any and all car rental companies in your own area to find out what their particular rules and regulations are. These rules and regulations will vary from company to company, state to state and maybe region to region.

Some companies will not rent to you at all if you are under the age of 25. Never say never but, it is unlikely any company will rent to you if you are under 21.

Some car rental companies will rent vehicles to you if you are under 25 with some stipulations and extra fees and these vary depending on where you live.

One national car rental company requires if under 25 years of age:

Valid Driver’s License

Major Credit Card or Debit Card

$100 Deposit

The Rental Fee

Two (2) Current Utility Bills with no past
due balances*

Current Pay Check Stub*

Plus a $10 per day fee for being under 25

*These stipulations vary from state to state and if you have the credit card you may not need the utility bills and pay check stub. It’s best to call ahead to be sure.

Another national car rental company charges $25 per day extra when the renter is under 25 years and requires a round trip travel ticket when someone rents a car.

This basically means they don’t rent to anyone unless they have arrived via a plane, boat or train and will be leaving the city the same way on a return trip ticket.

As it was said at the beginning of this topic, you will need to shop around if you are thinking of renting a car as each rental company we talked with seems to have different rules and requirements.

Automotive

The easiest way to handle automotive issues is to take the vehicle to an auto repair shop! Sometimes that isn’t always practical when it comes to the budget. There are a few things that can be done to make sure your car runs smoothly and efficiently. You can do them yourself and it’s relatively easy to learn how.

However there are problems that will come up when the only choice you will have is to take your vehicle to a certified auto mechanic.

Antifreeze/Coolant:

This is used for the radiators in cars and should be checked from time to time both in the summer and winter to make sure your car engine doesn’t get over heated or freeze. Auto supply stores can help you check this.

Go into the store, tell them you aren’t sure if you need anti-freeze (also called Coolant) and can they help you. Although, if you wait until the engine is cool and open the radiator cap, you can see the antifreeze which is usually a greenish yellow color. If you can’t see it or just see water you need some.

If you open the radiator cap while the engine is hot you could be seriously burned because the water could spew up into your face and over the rest of your body. Always be sure to replace the radiator cap.

Remember, it is extremely dangerous for children and animals. Never leave it out or have it remain accessible to either children or animals. If it should get spilled on the driveway, carport, or in the garage or parking space for your car make sure you clean it up. Animals may lick or drink it as well as children. Okay, kids wont lick it, but they will drink it!... It is very appetizing and appealing. It is usually the same color as some soft drinks on the market. It has a sweet smell and taste. Don’t taste it yourself to find out, just believe that it does!

It is poisonous. When ingested, it will cause renal failure in both humans and animals. Before you realize what has happened it is too late to save either. If you store Anti-Freeze be sure to close tightly and store on a high shelf out of the reach of children.

Batteries:

Without a battery your car won’t move even if it’s full of gas.

The water in the battery should be checked every few months if it is less than a year to a year and a half old. There are plastic caps on top of the battery, remove those and see if the water is low … if it is then add distilled water. Regular tap water has minerals in it that isn’t good for the battery.

If you have problems starting your car, it could be the battery. Sometimes you may try to start the ignition and get a clicking sound when you turn on the ignition or it is slow to start. You may need a new battery or it could be loose cables or maybe you left the lights on or didn’t close a door completely and the charge has run down. If this is the case you will need the battery jumped.

Corrosion:

If you open the hood of your car and find white powdery corroded looking stuff oozing over the battery posts it is leaking battery acid. This should be cleaned off and you can do this with a small brush (old toothbrush) and water. BE CAREFUL. It is poisonous.

Do not breath in the powder; get it on your skin, in your mouth or in your eyes. It is acid! Also if you get it on your clothes it will eat through the material and you’ll have holes in your clothes.

If it is possible to drive the car to an auto parts store they will check your battery and probably even clean the posts. They can check it to see if it will take a charge too. If this doesn’t work you will need a new battery. An auto repair shop will also check your battery and usually at no charge unless you need a battery.

Other Possibilities:

It is possible that you have alternator problems and the symptoms are similar to a bad battery or starter. The indicator lights which are on the dash and usually near the gas gauge may come on. They can read … BATT, GEN or ALT. Another indication is that the car lights are dim and seem to be growing dimmer. They are not getting enough electricity.

The alternator is the part that producers the electricity for your lights, CD player and the other electrical parts in your vehicle. If you have a bad battery the alternator cannot charge it. Your battery is continually charged by the alternator when the engine is running as long as it is a good battery.

This is why you need to check your battery and the water level on a regular basis.

Don’t ignore these warnings. This can be an expensive but absolutely necessary repair.

The problem can be as simple as a loose or broken belt which will not be as costly as an alternator. When these symptoms that have been mentioned begin, and you are driving, it is best to get to the nearest safe place to stop. You won’t be able to drive very far if you have electronic fuel injection or an electrical pump.

A broken belt can cause the engine to over heat. So watch the temperature gauge. If the engine over heats too much this can lead to even more problems. This is another example of why it is a good idea to have Roadside Assistance because the vehicle will need to be towed to your mechanic.

Fluids:

Your vehicle needs brake fluid, transmission fluid, oil, coolant, wiper fluid and water. You can probably add all of these, but if not careful you can cause damage to your vehicle. Consult your owner’s manual or trusted mechanic.

Freon:

This is a gas that is used in the air conditioning system and helps with cooling the interior of the vehicle when you have the air conditioner on.

Freon must be checked and added by a certified mechanic.

Gasoline:

Unless you have a real high-end top of the line vehicle you can usually use a low octane gas and this will save you as much as 20¢ per gallon.

You should not allow the gasoline level in your car get below ¼ of a tank.

That is the mark line about ¼ inches before/above the E which stands for EMPTY.

Not only will this keep you from being stranded possibly at night because you ran out of gas, but also, it helps keep the engine from working harder or straining. In other words, it isn’t good to run your vehicle on “fumes” and hoping that you can make it to a gas station.

The best time to buy gas for your car is in the morning … early.

With the operation of the engine throughout the day and as the heat of the day increases the gasoline in the tank expands so there is less space to add more. This is more apt to be a problem in the warmer months of the year and hotter climates such as the south or desert regions.

In the morning after the engine has sat over night and is cooled off the gasoline has contracted (or condensed…same thing) and there is more room in the tank to add gas. What’s the advantage and why care? … Supposedly most gas stations or gas companies raise the prices in the morning so if you buy in the morning before the prices go up and the engine is cool you get more gas at the lower rate. There is more room in the tank because the engine isn’t hot yet. Just don’t drive a long distance before buying the gas in the morning because the engine will be hot, the gas in the tank expanded and it won’t make any difference.

Regarding prices … they could go down too so it’s the cooler engine in the morning that will really make the difference in the amount of gas you can buy to fill the tank.

Gas Cans:

If you mowed lawns to make extra money during the summer when growing up, you are probably familiar with gas cans. Gas cans may be bought at auto parts stores or department stores that carry automotive products. It is specifically designed to hold gasoline and usually holds one gallon.

Do not use other containers as the gas cans that you buy are specifically designed to haul gasoline which is a hazardous liquid.. You only want to haul it in an emergency situation … you ran out of gas … or if you need it for the lawnmower. You do not want to haul gasoline around with you on a continual basis. It is a good idea to have an empty gas can in the trunk of your car in case you need it. EMPTY ....no gas in it. NONE!

Carrying gasoline around is so dangerous that it can kill you. Accidents have happened where the gasoline in the can stored in the trunk of a car has gotten so hot that it has exploded sending a fireball hurling into the cab of the vehicle and setting the driver on fire and taking his life. So please, PLEASE, please, do NOT carry gasoline around with you.

Have the "empty" can with you in the event that you ever need to get gas.

Leaks:

If you aren’t sure whether your car is leaking oil or other fluids, put a large piece or card board or newspapers (if it isn’t windy)under your vehicle and leave overnight. If there are drips on the cardboard the next day you have some sort of leak.

News papers may be better as you can tell the difference in colors easier.

Brown oily drips are usually motor oil while a red but oily drip is transmission fluid. Both need to be checked out by a professional. You could have leaks because gaskets have worn out and need to be replaced or perhaps the engine block is cracked.

A clear water drip can be from the water pump and possibly the radiator if you do not anti-freeze/coolant in it. If it is yellowish green it is probably the radiator and perhaps the water pump. But, if it is summer time, it could be condensation from the air conditioner.

Oil:

Your vehicle’s oil should be changed every 3,500 miles.

There may be a longer interval recommended on new vehicle models but you may have a used one that is a few years old. So when you get your new vehicle follow the instructions in the manual. In the mean-time change the oil and filter every 3,500 miles. This will extend the life of the engine.

If you cannot do it yourself or do not have a proper way of disposing of the used oil and filter there are many places which do oil changes at a reasonable price and often coupons are available that will bring the price down more. These may be found in free papers or on line and possibly coupon books that may be distributed free in racks around town. see Fluids

Check Oil Levels:

Running your vehicle’s engine without adequate oil can damage the engine. Oil is the lubricant that keeps the parts moving. Check the oil level of your vehicle regularly. Weekly if it is an older car. If it is low you should add more oil. Wait until the engine has cooled to avoid being burned. Check the oil by removing the dip stick and wipe with a clean cloth. Replace the dip stick and remove again to measure the oil. At the end of the dip stick are marks or lines, this is the measuring level of the oil. If it is not at the highest level but at the next one below, the oil is a quart low.

Carefully remove the cap to the oil reservoir and using a funnel to avoid spilling, slowly pour in the oil. After you have done this check the oil level again, following the steps above: pulling out the dip stick, wiping it clean, rechecking the level. If it is still low add more.

If you need to add oil frequently there may be a leak or other problems and you need to have the engine checked. Also, if the oil light comes on (it is located under the gas gage on the dash most of the time) check your oil levels immediately. You may have a serious problem. If the oil is low add some OR if you have no oil, add at least several quarts and get the vehicle in to a repair shop right away. You don’t want to take a chance on losing your engine which can be thousands of dollars to replace.

You can buy quarts of oil at a gas station, auto parts store or discount department stores.

Roadside Assistance:

Hopefully you have your car insured and your insurance offers Roadside Assistance. Some companies offer it for as little as a dollar a month. If your battery is dead: call them to send someone out to charge it. You may need them to tow your car too if it won’t start and turns out to be another problem like the alternator.

Roadside Assistance can also change your flat tire. These services are 24/7. If you do not have Roadside Assistance, call your insurance representative and get it. It will save you lots of time and grief.

Tires:

Your tires need to be in good condition. They should be balanced and rotated on a frequent basis. If possible at least every when you have the oil changed. This will extend the life of the tires and the wear will be evenly distributed.

If you need to buy new tires shop around for the best prices and also ask if they have a free rotation tire service with the purchase of a full set of new tires. Many companies will do this as part of their customer service because they want your business and you as a loyal customer.

If you can only afford to buy two tires at a time, have them put on the rear of the vehicle as you will have better traction in rain or snow with the newer tires.

Blowouts:

Even with new tires you can have problems especially if you happen to hit a pot hole. This can cause a blow out and also damage the wheel itself or throw the tires out of alignment which will cause steering problems. It can also put the tires out of balance and this will cause a shimmy in the tire as well as the steering wheel. You may not notice this until you reach a certain speed. It may not happen at 45 miles per hour but could at 50 or 60 or not until you reach 70 on the freeway.

Flats:

Other problems, such as a flat tire, can be caused by running over a nail or screw or other sharp objects. Stay away from construction areas. This is a real hazardous area when it comes to the probability of picking up nails in your tires.

When driving in the rain try to stay away from the edge of the road. If the road has four lanes, drive in the inside lanes. Rainwater will wash nails and other sharp objects that lay in the gutter next to the curb out into the road. It isn’t unusual to get a flat this way. It is really aggravating when you have new tires and this happens!

Other Tire Info:

- You can check the wear by putting a penny in between the treads. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it is time to consider buying tires. If the tires are slick and have no tread, they are bald, you definitely need tires!

- If at all possible avoid buying recapped (retreads) tires. They can lose part of the tread and you could have a blowout. In the heat of the summer when the road is hot and the friction between the tire and the road builds it is not unusual for the treads to come off.

- With age, tires can begin to crack and also exposure to extreme weather can cause them to crack.

- Check the air pressure. You can learn to do it yourself and the gauge is not expensive. The air pressure affects the wear and tear on the tires and also gas mileage.

The Trunk:

Most everyone feels that bad things won’t happen to them. It is always good to have a positive outlook. You can take extra steps to be prepared just in case a problem should arise. How many times have you heard others say, “I never thought it would happen to ME!” or “If I had known it could happen, I would have …”. It is always better to be prepared “just in case”. From time to time check your supplies both in the trunk and in the interior of your vehicle to make sure you have the things you need in case of a roadside emergency.

Trunk Check List:

___Jumper Cables

___Spare Tire (If your spare is not on the rear of your vehicle or in another area
of the vehicle)

___Jack

___Tire Iron

___WD-40 for tight lug nuts

___Gallon of distilled water for battery and radiator

___2 quarts of oil

___Rubber Knee Pads

___Work gloves with rubberized grip

___Towels (hand size) for cleanup

___Window Squeegee

___Ice Scraper

___Pliers

___Screwdriver

Interior Check List:

___Map/Atlas

___Flashlight

___Escape Hammer (For breaking side windows) also called a Window Punch

___Thin Thermal Blanket

___Hand Wipes

___Plastic Bags (For trash, impromptu rain cover, etcetera)

___Headache/Pain Reliever

___Sunglasses

___Band-Aids

___Spray Bottle with rubbing alcohol (For minor cuts or bug bites. Some
       suggest diluting the alcohol with a small amount of water.)

___Window Cleaner

___Walking Shoes (You never know when you will need to do some unexpected
       walking. If you have just gone out or are dressed for work, heels or dress
       shoes are not good for harsh walking.)

Water:

Water needs to be in the radiator as well as coolant. It is also needed in the battery. Check the water level in your radiator every time you check your oil. Check more often if your vehicle tends to over heat. The water in the battery should be checked every few months if it is less than a year to a year and a half old. If water needs to be added, use distilled water.

When you buy coolant or anti-freeze ask the dealer at the auto parts store or in the auto department at the department store where you shop what the best mix is for coolant and water in the radiator for your vehicle.

Wheel Locks:

Wheel locks are about $15-$20 for a set of four. They can be purchased at dealerships or auto parts store. There is one lock per wheel and will replace one of the lug nuts. The set has a special key which unlocks the locks. It makes it very difficult for someone to steal the tires off your car. Almost impossible. This is why, if you choose to have wheel locks put on your car,

You need to keep the key in a safe place BUT always take it with you in case you should get a flat tire or need to take it in for service like the tires being rotated. Remember to get it the key back after it has been serviced.