Should these items come with a hire car?
May 8th, 2006, 01:05 AM
#1
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Should these items come with a hire car?
Hello everyone
I have booked a hire car (Auto Europa)at Treviso Airport in July. I have been reading about the equipment you should have in your car in Italy (red warning triangle, fire extinguisher, spare bulbs, First Aid kit, reflective jacket for night-time breakdowns) and asked if these came with the hire car - the answer was No. Am I supposed to bring these items with me on the plane? If they are required in my own car if I was to drive to Italy instead of flying (I live in the UK), surely they are necessary in a hire car too?
I'm perplexed!!
Pam
I have booked a hire car (Auto Europa)at Treviso Airport in July. I have been reading about the equipment you should have in your car in Italy (red warning triangle, fire extinguisher, spare bulbs, First Aid kit, reflective jacket for night-time breakdowns) and asked if these came with the hire car - the answer was No. Am I supposed to bring these items with me on the plane? If they are required in my own car if I was to drive to Italy instead of flying (I live in the UK), surely they are necessary in a hire car too?
I'm perplexed!!
Pam
May 8th, 2006, 07:36 AM
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According to the RAC website you need the following.
Compulsory products:
A warning triangle
Headlamp converters
Reflectorised jacket or waistcoat
Recommended products:
Spare bulbs
A fire extinguisher
A first aid kit
Therefore I would expect the compulsory items to provided, if not I would ask for them.
Muck
Compulsory products:
A warning triangle
Headlamp converters
Reflectorised jacket or waistcoat
Recommended products:
Spare bulbs
A fire extinguisher
A first aid kit
Therefore I would expect the compulsory items to provided, if not I would ask for them.
Muck
May 8th, 2006, 08:21 AM
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We will be picking up our Saab in Sweden, driving it through Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Belgium. Since this is our car, what should we do- I don't think Saab provides these things. Will we have to purchase them ourselves once we are there? I'm not traveling with that stuff in my bag. And once we drop the car off- what are we supposed to do with those items? We can't leave anything in the car while it's being shipped back here! This is something I haven't even thought about!
May 8th, 2006, 10:43 AM
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where you buy your car has all these things for sale or gift, usually.
rental cars by law should provide them, too. Ask where they ARE when y pick up the car. the jackets might be under seats or in special compartment you may be unaware of.
rental cars by law should provide them, too. Ask where they ARE when y pick up the car. the jackets might be under seats or in special compartment you may be unaware of.
May 8th, 2006, 10:53 AM
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I know that Spain has a requirement that all cars have certain safety equipment. I was a bit concerned about our rental, but when we picked up everything that was required by law was in the glove box. I would think this is same for other countried as well.
May 8th, 2006, 11:10 AM
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They SHOULD come in the car - but often don't. Just like the instruction booklet. And depending on the car's age and country - all sorts of other things.
(We once got a car in Italy that had no cover on a fuse box [I think - something electrical anyway] on the dash. When we asked they simply pulled one off another car and put it on ours.)
(We once got a car in Italy that had no cover on a fuse box [I think - something electrical anyway] on the dash. When we asked they simply pulled one off another car and put it on ours.)
May 9th, 2006, 04:15 AM
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Thank you for all your replies - I checked with AutoEurope again - this time directly, not through the rental agent - and was told that all compulsory equipment would be provided in the car (i.e. triangle and vest). Light bulbs are not compulsory; however, I understand that a failed bulb is an offence, as well as being dangerous - and as a lone female driver I wouldn't want my lights to fail at night! - but as the hirer doesn't know exactly what car they will get until they collect it at the airport, the only alternative would be to buy spare bulbs after collecting the rental car - has anyone done this?
Pam
Pam
May 9th, 2006, 04:25 AM
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Compulsory items are in the car when you buy it; warning triangle, first aid kit, spare bulbs.
Mamaj; if you are buying a car in Europe, these items should be included (in any case the ones that are compulsory in the country where you buy the car) and I can't imagine that you will have to take them out of the car for shipping; usually they are in some sort of compartment in the car.
Some items, like the yellow jackets, are new, and not required in every country. They cost a few Euros at most, so if you think you need them, buy them there.
Mamaj; if you are buying a car in Europe, these items should be included (in any case the ones that are compulsory in the country where you buy the car) and I can't imagine that you will have to take them out of the car for shipping; usually they are in some sort of compartment in the car.
Some items, like the yellow jackets, are new, and not required in every country. They cost a few Euros at most, so if you think you need them, buy them there.
May 9th, 2006, 05:30 AM
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I've driven in Europe many times, but this is all new to me.
What is a "headlamp converter?"
How is one expected to replace a bulb without a) tools, and b) knowledge of how to access it?
What is a "headlamp converter?"
How is one expected to replace a bulb without a) tools, and b) knowledge of how to access it?
May 9th, 2006, 09:18 AM
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Sorry Rob, that was a list for UK drivers that take their car to France etc, as we in the UK drive on the left side of the road our headlamps shine to the left, when we drive in France on the right side of the road the headlights subsequently shine into the face of the on coming traffic.
Headlamp convertors are small adhesive lenses that fit on to the headlamp to divert the beam away from the left.
Muck
Headlamp convertors are small adhesive lenses that fit on to the headlamp to divert the beam away from the left.
Muck
May 9th, 2006, 01:40 PM
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To be honest,the proportion of French v brits that change over sides for a visit is certainly not equal. I'm guessing here, but I estimate 80/20 we visit France with our cars.
But if they do they should also block their beams. However knowing the French and how they abide by rules, they probably just turn their lights off in the dark..lol
;-)
Muck
But if they do they should also block their beams. However knowing the French and how they abide by rules, they probably just turn their lights off in the dark..lol
;-)
Muck
