2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
Anyone who uses a carsharing vehicle should check it carefully before setting off - including for possible accident damage. The experts from TÜV say what to look out for.
Car sharing users should watch out for defects when taking over the car. This is recommended by TÜV Süd. Car sharing providers maintain their cars regularly. But something can break every now and then - including safety-relevant parts. Since most car sharing vehicles pass through many hands, it is particularly important to do a safety check every time you change drivers, advise the TÜV experts.
But what should you watch out for? The wheels should be checked before setting off. Do the rims and tire walls have dents or cracks? In the event of such defects, the respective car provider should be informed and asked for a replacement car. The tread depth of the tires must also be checked: for optimal grip, there should be at least four millimeters, even if the legislator only prescribes 1.6 millimeters. If you suspect that the tires are too slack, check the air pressure at the next gas station. Don't forget to have a spare wheel on board.
Check the capacity of the windscreen washer system
In addition to the tires, car sharing users should ensure that the previous driver has not completely emptied the windscreen washer system. Also, a look at the engine oil level can't hurt. According to TÜV Süd, modern cars have long maintenance intervals of more than 20,000 kilometers for engine lubrication. However, if you drive quickly, the oil level can drop beforehand - and after all, you cannot know how hard the predecessors have accelerated.
Of course, the light should also be checked. All lights on the car must work. The driver is responsible for this. Anyone who is noticed with defective vehicle lighting during a police check has to pay. Don't forget the lights in the car during the light test: switch on the ignition and watch out for the control lights for safety systems such as ABS, airbags and ESP - they have to light up briefly.
Before you can finally start, you should definitely check for possible accident damage. Does the car have scratches or dents? If so, the provider should also be informed, after all, you don't want to be held liable for the damage. Once the exam has been completed, the journey can begin. However, one should take it slow with strange cars, because every car drives differently. To get used to it, it helps to carefully try out the steering, brakes and gears on a track with as little traffic or familiarity as possible. (AG / dpa)
