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The original was posted on /r/lifeprotips by /u/BleepBloopRobotA on 2024-09-19 18:46:50+00:00.

It’s pretty common knowledge to take pictures of any damage to the body or wheels and noting them on the rental agreement before signing off on your rental. Here are a couple other items that aren’t as common that should be checked (all based on experience):

• Headlamps/Taillamps/Turn Signals/Brake Lights - put your hazard lights on and step on the brakes while having someone check the functionality. I’ve had to buy a new blinker bulb and change it myself after starting an 1800 mile road trip in a rental car.
• Tires - check the tread depth. Don’t accept a car with bald tires and check that they are worn evenly.
• Spare tire or inflator kit - Check that the spare has at least some air or if there is no spare, check to see that the inflator kit is present and the sealant is there. I got a flat one time and the inflator sealant had been used but no one told the rental company and apparently they didn’t check it.
• HVAC - quickly check to see if the basic HVAC functions work. I wouldn’t want to go on a long trip and not be comfortable because I didn’t do a 30 second check for the HVAC functionality.
• Windshield Wipers - Do a quick squirt of the washer fluid and see how well the wipers clear it. If there are a ton of streaks or it chatters badly, ask them to change them out or for a different car.