Knowing the different types of car categories offered by rental companies is a must. Here is what you can expect when booking a standard rental car.
a Ford Mondeo is classified as a standard car.
We have divided this quick guide into the following sections to make it as easy to follow as possible. Click one of the links below to quickly jump to each part of the blog post.
A standard car is larger than an intermediateand smaller than a full-size. Frankly speaking, the name is rather self-explanatory. Standard rental cars are just that- standard. A prime example would be a Volkswagen Jetta, which can is a popular pick among rental companies worldwide.
All standard rental cars will share the following features:
space for up to 5 occupants (including the driver)
four doors
more cargo space than an intermediate car
good fuel economy
roughly the same size as a Volkswagen Jetta
Note that some rental companies offer slightly larger cars, such as MPVs and some crossovers, that are classified as standard. Continue reading to find out more about different examples of standard rental cars.
Standard Car Models
Keep in mind that you are not guaranteed a particular make and model when booking a rental car. You’re actually booking a rental car type instead. That’s why you’ll see the words Or Similarnext to your rental car.
With that in mind, these are some cars you may receive when booking a standard car:
Volkswagen Jetta
Kia Sportage
Vauxhall Insignia
Buick Verano
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso
Ford Mondeo
Volkswagen Passat
Ford C-Max
Renault Laguna
Vauxhall Corsa
When You Should Rent a Standard Car
Standard cars are ideal when an intermediate rental car just doesn’t cut it in terms of space, for example on longer trips. After all, a standard car has enough room in the trunk for at least one more piece of luggage compared with an intermediate car. Rear-seat passengers can expect more legroom, too.
On the flip side, standard cars are harder to park in tight spots. Fuel economy may be worse than your average intermediate or compact car, as well.
If you’re planning to drive a few hundred kilometers with two to three passengers and their luggage, a standard car may just be perfect. If you crave more space, consider renting a full-size instead.
Know More About Your Rental Car Type
As mentioned above, you always book a rental car type as opposed to a specific make and model. Although you are not guaranteed a particular vehicle, you can work out many of its features and specifications.
Rental companies around the world use the four-character ACRISS code to classify their fleets. The code includes information on the car type, category, drivetrain type, transmission, and even whether or not it has air conditioning.
Don’t forget to book your next rental car through Rentalmoose. Our platform offers thousands of rental cars from trusted suppliers all across the world. Browse from over 15 000 different locations and find your ideal car today.
We plant a tree for every rental car booked with us, as a way of contributing towards a better tomorrow. Find out more about us here.
A Hyundai Elantra is an intermediate car. Photo courtesy of Hyundai USA
There are nearly 20 different vehicle categories in the world of car rentals. Keeping up with all of them can be harder than it seems. Find out what you can expect when booking an intermediate (or midsize) rental car.
Rental companies are constantly changing the vehicles offered at different rental locations. That’s why it’s simply easier to offer types of cars, as opposed to particular makes and models.
Suppliers throughout the globe use the same unified four-character code to classify their rental cars. There are 18 different car types within the ACRISS system, and intermediate or mid-size is one of them.
To keep this guide clear and simple, it has been divided into the following sections:
Simply put, an intermediate (also referred to as mid-size) car is larger than a compact and slightly smaller than a standard.
Although the particular make and model will vary depending on the rental companies’ availability at your desired location, all intermediate rental cars are similar. No matter which car you receive, any intermediate rental car will have the following:
four doors
space for up to 5 occupants
similar to a Toyota Corolla
You can also expect a similar amount of room for cargo and passengers across all intermediate rental cars. The fuel economy and engine specifications shouldn’t vary too much between the different makes and models, either.
Note that some rental companies will also classify some crossover SUVs as intermediate cars. In that case, the size may be a little bigger than the average sedan.
Examples of Intermediate Cars
As mentioned above, all intermediate cars are roughly the size of a Toyota Corolla. Here are a few more examples of popular rental cars that fall within the intermediate category.
Toyota Corolla
Fiat 500X
Hyundai Elantra
Skoda Octavia
Nissan Qashqai
Chevrolet Cruze
VW Jetta
Seat Toledo
Jeep Renegade
BMW 1-Series
Ford Mondeo
Peugeot 3008
When Is It Best To Rent an Intermediate Car
Intermediate, or mid-size rental cars, are larger than compacts. As a result, you can comfortably travel with up to 5 occupants and their luggage. Intermediate cars are perfect when you need more space than a compact car, and still want to maintain similar fuel economy.
An intermediate rental car can prove to be ideal for day trips from busy cities with your family or friends. If you’re planning to spend a weekend at Cape Cod and drive from Boston, for example, an intermediate car would be perfect.
Know More About Your Rental Car Type
As mentioned above, rental companies use the ACRISS 4-character code to classify their rental car types. By looking at the ACRISS code, you can find out what kind ofcar you’ll get, as well as its type, transmission and drivetrain, fuel type, and whether it has A/C.
Keep in mind that you never book a particular make and model when renting a car. That’s why you’ll see the words “or similar” when booking the vehicle.
You can check out our guide to ACRISS codes to learn more about rental car types. That way, you’ll always be prepared beforehand.
Don’t forget to book your next rental car through Rentalmoose. Our platform offers thousands of rental cars from trusted suppliers all across the world. Browse from over 15 000 different locations and find your ideal car today.
We plant a tree for every rental car booked with us, as a way of contributing towards a better tomorrow. Find out more about us here.
Manual cars are nowhere near as popular as automatics, though they aren’t gone completely. In fact, many suppliers around the globe still offer rental cars with a stick-shift transmission. Here’s a short guide to driving a manual car, just in case you need a quick reminder. If you’re wondering how to drive stick, you have come to the right place!
To keep things quick and simple, you can click one of the links below to jump to each section of the guide.
Be sure to check out our blog for more handy tips. Young drivers should take a look at this post. Wondering if now’s the right time to book your rental car? This guide may help.
Without further ado, let’s jump into this guide!
The Basics
Manual cars certainly aren’t for everyone. If you’re renting a car in the US, you probably won’t come across any rental cars with a stick-shift transmission. In other parts of the world, however, manual cars can be quite common. Transmissions are determined by the car type you book, so you can always see whether your rental car is a manual during the booking process.
Check out this guide to learn more about different rental car types, ACRISS codes, and the mysterious “or similar” phrase when booking a car.
Once you’re behind the wheel of an automobile equipped with a stick-shift, you will see three pedals:
Clutch– left
Brake– middle
Accelerator– right
Before driving off, you may want to find out how to turn the engine on in the first place. To start a car with an automatic transmission, you’ll simply need to push the brake pedal and press the engine start button, or turn the ignition key.
Things are a little bit different when it comes to manual cars.
How To Start A Manual Car
The first step to learning how to drive stick is finding out how to turn the engine on. Keep reading to find out.
1. Put the car in neutral
First and foremost, make sure the vehicle is in neutral.
2. Push down the clutch
To start the engine of a manual car, you first have to push down the clutch. That’s the pedal on the left-hand side.
3. Turn ignition
Turn the key in the ignition to start the engine. Make sure the engine is on before letting go of the key.
How To Drive A Manual Car
Once the engine is on, it’s time to set off!
1. Disengage the parking brake
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten about this. The truth is, you will not get very far with the parking brake pushed down. Ensure the parking brake is disengaged before driving off. If you see a “P” icon on the display, the brake is engaged.
2. Put the car in first gear
To get the car in gear, you first have to push down the clutch pedal. With the pedal pushed down, grab the gear stick and put it in first gear. You can use the diagram atop the stick to help you locate the gear. It’s usually in the top-left corner, though that can vary depending on the rental car.
3. Get going!
This is arguably the hardest step when learning how to drive stick. You have to slowly take your left foot off the clutch pedal. Once the car starts to roll, you can gently press the accelerator and lift your foot off the clutch. Be careful not to lift your left foot off the clutch too fast, as you may cause the car to stall.
That said, don’t worry if you stall the car! It’s a common occurrence, especially if it’s your first time driving stick in a while. Simply go back to square one, turn the engine on and try once again. It may take you a few failed attempts to feel the clutch.
4. Switching gears
Switching from first to second gear, then to third and so on is a lot less scary than it may seem. All you need to do is:
Lift your right foot off the throttle pedal
At the same time, push down the clutch pedal using your left foot
With the clutch down, move the gear shift to the desired gear position
Once the gear is engaged, slowly lift your left foot off the clutch
Push down the accelerator with your right foot, and you’re all set!
Repeat the process whenever you need to switch gears.
5. Coming to a complete stop
When approaching a red light or a stop sign, you’ll obviously need to come to a complete stop. Though the procedure is a little more complicated than stopping an automatic car, you’ll quickly get used to it!
Whenever you need to slow down, it’s enough to simply push down the brake pedal with your right foot. Note that you may want to switch into a lower gear, depending on how much speed you’ve lost.
If you want to come to a complete stop, you’ll need to push down the clutch with your left foot whenever the speed is lower than around 5 miles per hour (8km/h). Otherwise, the engine may stall.
When you’re standing still in a stick-shift car, it’s typically recommended to leave the transmission in neutral and apply the brake with your left foot.
6. Parking a manual car
Parking can get a little tricky, even with an automatic transmission. To engage reverse, you may need to push down the gear shift to disengage a safety lockout first. The method can vary slightly depending on the vehicle, it’s best to take a look at your owner’s manual if you’re unsure.
Once the car is parked, it is highly recommended to leave it either in first gear or in reverse, with the parking brake applied all the way. That way, you can be sure that the car won’t roll down a hill.
Bonus: Starting on a hill
Starting on a hill is another task that can seem a little risky to those, who don’t have much experience driving a stick-shift.
The key to starting on a hill without rolling back is using the parking brake. Engage the parking brake first, then get in gear as you normally would and release the parking brake when you feel the car fighting against it. It may take a few tries to master, but it’s extremely useful to know this.
Now that you know how to drive stick, you’re all set for your next adventure!
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Planning a road trip can get tremendously overwhelming sometimes. Afterall, there are lots of different things that have to be planned out prior to leaving. Packing your road trip essentials is one of the last things you do before setting off, but it cannot be overlooked.
We’ve compiled a handy list of 30 items you have to take on your next road trip. They’re split into the following categories:
It may seem like common sense to take all of the items listed below. The stress of planning a road trip can make us forget the most basic stuff.
Check out this blog post to make sure you take all of your road trip essentials!
13 Absolute Essentials For Every Road Trip
The items below are your absolute essentials for your next road trip. Make sure you don’t forget any of them!
The Most Basic Items You Always Need On A Road Trip
Driving License & ID
Car Documents & Proof of Insurance
International Driving Permit
Roadside Emergency Kit & First Aid Kit
Flashlight
Face Masks
Hand Sanitizer
Protective Gloves
Emergency Contact Info
Cash
Engine Oil
Credit Card
Water Bottles
Driving License & ID
First and foremost, you have to make sure that you packed your driving license and ID. A driver must be able to provide a valid driver’s license and proof of identity. Any passengers in the vehicle need to have their IDs, as well.
Note that some countries require foreign drivers to have their passports with them at all times, too. Check the local regulations before departing to avoid any mishaps during the journey.
Car Documents & Proof of Insurance
The paperwork of your vehicle is just as important to have as your driver’s license and ID.
If you’re traveling by rental car, the car’s paperwork will either be in the glove compartment or handed to you when picking up the vehicle. Always double-check before setting off.
Different types of car insurance may be obligatory, depending on the region you’re driving in. Rental cars in America, for example, will typically only come with a very basic protection plan. Check with your credit card company, as they may offer additional insurance.
When traveling by rental car, it is crucial to have the vehicle properly insured. You can check out this blog post to learn more about rental car insurance.
Remember that you have to obtain an IDP before leaving your home country. There is no way to get an International Driving Permit while you’re already in a foreign country.
You can learn all you need to know about IDPs in this blog post.
Roadside Emergency Kit + First Aid Kit
A roadside emergency kit is crucial to have on a road trip. Hopefully, you’ll never have to use it. Unexpected accidents could happen, hence it’s best to have one laying around just in case. The same goes for a first aid kit.
A roadside emergency kit should have the following items:
first aid kit
jumper cables
tow strap ropes
warning triangle
a set of tools, including screwdrivers and sockets
seatbelt cutter
window breaker
blanket
electrical tape
high-visibility vest
whistle
As you can see by its components, a high-quality roadside emergency kit will keep you prepared for any unexpected scenarios. You’ll be able to deal with technical breakdowns, dead batteries, medical emergencies, and any other situations that could happen during your road trip.
Flashlight
A flashlight should be a part of your roadside emergency kit. If it is not, then ensure you pack at least one working flashlight. It is one of the must-have road trip essentials, that’s for sure.
Don’t forget spare batteries!
Face masks
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the way we travel. Depending on the region you’re going to, face masks may be required indoors as well as outside.
Make sure you take enough masks. Don’t forget to pack spare ones, too!
Hand Sanitizer
Any traveler going on a road trip in 2021 should take a bottle of hand sanitizer.
While many local businesses set up hand sanitizers near the entrance to their premises, it could turn helpful to have your own bottle.
Protective Gloves
Not all surfaces you’ll come across are going to be particularly clean. What’s more, you may have to open the hood of your car to check the oil levels.
You’ll definitely end up having to go to the bathroom at a gas station. Taking a pair of gloves with you certainly won’t hurt. It could save you from coming in contact with some disgusting surfaces.
Emergency Contact Numbers
Ensure that you have the emergency contact numbers saved on your phone, or written down on a piece of paper. Ensure you have the contact details for roadside assistance, too.
Don’t forget that the emergency numbers can change depending on the region you’re in!
You can check out this Wikipedia page to see emergency telephone numbers in different countries.
Cash
Not all local businesses will accept payment by card. It’s always good practice to have some local currency on hand at all times, hence we recommend cash as another thing to take on a road trip. You never know when a small purchase may come up!
Naturally, you don’t want to take too much cash with you either. An amount that will be enough for the duration of the trip, plus some more just in case anything happens, should be sufficient.
Remember to take the money with you, and not leave it in a car unattended.
Engine Oil
This is crucial if you are going on a long-distance road trip in your own vehicle. Regularly checking the engine oil level is a must. Otherwise, you could risk damaging the powerplant of your car.
I cannot stress this enough. Having a bottle of engine oil in the trunk is extremely convenient. Some local gas stations may sell the right type of engine oil, though it is not guaranteed.
Credit Card (if necessary)
A credit card may not be a road trip essential for everyone unless they’re renting a car.
If you are traveling by rental car, you’ll need to take your credit card (with enough funds to cover the security deposit) and present it when picking up the vehicle.
Note that the credit card has to be under the same name as the renter. Click here to learn more about the pick-up process.
Water Bottles
It goes without saying that water is an absolute necessity. While any local grocery shop or gas station will sell water, it’s always a good idea to have a few bottles in the car with you whenever you get thirsty. Especially if you’re traveling in rural areas.
Water bottles could come in handy if you go on a hike, or in case of a breakdown in the middle of nowhere.
Pack These 14 Items To Make Your Road Trip More Comfortable
Although the items below are helpful to take, we don’t qualify them as absolute road trip must-haves. Nonetheless, consider packing these convenient items to make your road trip more comfortable.
These Items Will Improve The Comfort of Your Road Trip
Bug spray
Shovel
Ice scraper
Painkiller
Sunscreen
Toilet paper
Umbrella
Sunglasses with a Polarizing Filter
Phone Charger
Blanket and Pillow
AUX Cord
Handsfree Bluetooth Kit
Books
Snacks
Bug Spray
Insects of all sorts can be annoying, especially when hiking out in the wild or trying to enjoy a barbecue with friends. Don’t even get us started on mosquito bites. Yikes!
Pack some bug repellent and you’ll spare yourself from
Shovel
A shovel is a great multi-purpose tool you should definitely pack with you on your next road trip.
You’ll surely find it useful if your car gets stuck in mud or snow.
Ice Scraper
An ice scraper is a must for any driver during the wintertime. It’s the most efficient way to remove ice and snow from your car’s windshield and mirrors.
Some people attempt to save time by pouring boiling water directly on the windshield. Do not do that. The temperature difference could cause your windshield to shatter to a million pieces.
Going on a winter road trip? Check out this guide for more helpful tips.
Painkillers
Headaches are never fun, but they’re even worse during a road trip. Riding in a car for hours with a constant headache can be a terrible experience.
It’s best to be prepared and take some painkillers and medication that could become useful.
Sunscreen
Yet another must-have on any road trip during the summer. Particularly handy if you’re driving down a coastal road and decide to stop at a scenic roadside beach. Perhaps you want to get out of the car and hike around the wilderness?
Sunscreen is super useful, yet it is easily overlooked and forgotten. Don’t forget to pack it!
Toilet Paper
Don’t overestimate local gas stations and small restaurants. You may often see that public bathrooms either provide rough, low-quality toilet paper, or they are out of it altogether.
It’s best to bring your own rolls with you, just in case. A roll of toilet paper could double as tissues or a paper towel for cleaning up any spilled liquids, too.
Umbrella
Ideal for protection from the rain. It can also serve as a great way to protect yourself from strong sunlight.
Sunglasses With A Polarizing Filter
Sunglasses can dramatically improve your driving experience. Being blinded by harsh sunlight is dangerous and could lead to a collision. Sometimes there’s so much light that the car’s sun visor just won’t cut it.
Instead of just any sunglasses, try to get ones with a polarizing filter. A polarizing filter will eliminate reflections, such as the ones on your car’s windshield. Trust me, you will not regret it.
Phone Charger
Speaking from experience, it’s best to pack more than one phone charger on a road trip. They can get broken, lost, or simply disappear into the “black hole” between your seat and the center console.
Despite what some people may say, it is impossible to retrieve anything once it falls into the black hole. Really.
If you’re traveling with friends, it’s safe to assume that at least one of them will forget their charger. Better safe than sorry.
Blanket & Pillow
Who would not want to enjoy a nap during an endless road trip? As long as you’re not the one driving at the moment, of course.
Blankets and pillows can easily qualify as road trip essentials. While not taking them would not affect the safety of your road trip, it is a nice touch to get a more comfortable and enjoyable experience.
AUX Cord
Experienced roadtrippers can all agree that there are some unwritten rules for every road trip. One of them states that the front-seat passenger’s main role is being the DJ for the duration of the road trip. They control the magical AUX cord and select the music played in your car.
Make sure you have a way to connect your phone to the car’s audio system. Newer cars may have Bluetooth connectivity. If you have an older vehicle, an AUX cord is your best bet.
Handsfree Bluetooth Kit
Talking on the phone while driving is not only illegal in most countries, but also very dangerous. Instead, you can connect a handsfree Bluetooth kit to safely make phone calls while behind the wheel.
Newer vehicles often have this feature as a standard option in the infotainment system.
Books
Staring at a phone screen for hours on end can drive your passengers crazy. Instead, pack a few of your favorite books that they can read through during the road trip.
Snacks
Any proper road trip begins with a shopping stop to gather snacks. When it comes to piling up road trip snacks, it is always best to come overprepared. There is no such thing as not having enough snacks, that’s for sure.
Don’t just stick to junk food, purchase some healthy foods as well. Fresh fruits are both nutritious and tasty, for example.
Other Accessories
The items below are far from road trip essentials. However, it could be useful to pack them. Check out our recommendations!
Paper Map
A million things can go wrong with your phone. Anything from your battery running out to shattering the screen will leave you stranded with no map. A regular paper map is something you can always count on. Sure, it may not be as sophisticated as a fancy navigation app with real-time traffic warnings. However, a paper map will never fail you.
Take a paper map. It may just come in handy.
Pen and Pencil
Doodling, drawing, writing down any important information or leaving a note on a car you’ve dented at a car park. Whatever the reason may be, it’s always a good idea to have a pen and pencil along with a few pieces of paper.
Don’t have a car you can take on a road trip? No problem!
Head over to Rentalmoose and book a rental car for your next journey. Choose from the most trusted suppliers at over 15 000 different locations worldwide.
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The prices of rental cars are constantly changing. In this blog post, you’ll learn about the best time to rent a car and how to save on your next car rental.
Despite popular belief, there isn’t a “best part of the day” or “best day of the week” to book a rental car.
Naturally, this does not mean that timing is not important. In fact, it does play a crucial factor in dictating the rates of rental cars.
Booking in advance is the key to finding a great deal for your next car rental. Of course, this brings up a crucial question.
How far in advance should you rent a car for the best price?
Simply put, it’s best to book at least 4-6 months in advance to get the best deal. However, there are some exceptions to this general rule of thumb.
Is booking a rental car in advance a good idea during the ongoing pandemic? Continue reading to find out.
Booking in advance during the COVID-19 pandemic
Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, major car rental companies around the globe introduced new policies to attract travelers. Afterall, the last thing they want is to lose customers.
Car rental suppliers such as Avis or Enterprise waived any existing cancellation and rebooking fees. If your trip cannot be completed due to travel restrictions, you may rebook to a later date or cancel it completely at no extra cost.
Rentalmoose insider tip: You can learn more about how COVID-19 affected car rentals in this blog post.
When booking your rental car via Rentalmoose, you can cancel free of charge up to 48 hours before the booking period begins.
Why do prices change so much?
The prices of rental cars are generally dictated by three main factors:
Supply and demand
Current trends on the market
Currency conversion rates
Supply and demand
It goes without saying that the goal of any rental company is to rent out as many of their cars as possible.
If a rental company has an excessive number of overstocked cars, they may periodically reduce the prices to boost the bookings. On the other hand, if the supplier is running short on inventory, the rates are likely to skyrocket.
Back in the Spring of 2020, the daily rates for rental cars would drop following nationwide lockdowns and travel restrictions. Avis saw a 60%* drop in reservations in March 2020, followed by an uptrend in the following part of the year.
When people began traveling once again during the summer, the prices would surge back up. The rates for rental cars peaked around August when tourists flocked to travel by private cars as opposed to flying or using public transportation.
Market trends directly affect supply and demand. While rental cars don’t revolve around different times of the year as much as flights or all-inclusive holiday deals, the current trends remain a contributing factor.
The daily rates for rental cars are likely to skyrocket during the summer holidays, when the rental company expects to rent out more vehicles every single day.
Currency conversion rates
Lastly, don’t forget that the bill for your rental car has to be paid in the local currency. The conversion rates constantly fluctuate and can end up slightly affecting the final price tag.
Do the prices of additional extras change?
Any additional equipment will be added to your bill directly at the rental desk. As the price will be charged in the local currency, it may fluctuate slightly depending on the conversion rate. Apart from that, the price does not change.
Note that the pricing for additional equipment can vary depending on the region. Refer to the supplier’s T&Cs before booking for details.
The tricks to saving on rental cars
We’ve prepared a few tips to help you find the best deal the next time you book a rental car.
Search for the best offer
It’s always best to compare different offers before pulling the trigger. Simply search for your desired location using Rentalmoose, and you’ll see a list of rental cars available for the selected dates.
Try to test different dates to see if you can score a cheaper rental, if possible. Don’t forget that the rates are likely to be higher during peak season.
Book early
Now you know that the best time to rent a car is as early as possible, ideally 4-6 months before your journey. Keep that in mind when searching for a rental car.
Don’t wait around for a last-minute rental car deal. Even if you book online just hours before your arrival, you are bound to get a better deal than arriving in person.
Learn about the hidden fees
Your rental car quote can quickly become a lot higher than you expected, all due to hidden car rental fees.
You can check out this article where we highlight the most common car rental fees, and how you can avoid them.
Skip the airport (if possible)
One of the hidden fees that travelers often forget about is the airport surcharge. Sure, picking up the rental car directly from the airport terminal is a great comfort. However, this comfort often comes at a hefty price tag.
The airport surcharge, sometimes referred to as the premium location charge, can total over 10% of the final rental bill!
It’s best to avoid airport pick-up and drop-off whenever possible.
Now that you’re all set, it’s time to book your rental car!
Use Rentalmoose for your next rental car booking. You’ll find offers from major suppliers spread across over 15 000 different locations worldwide.
You can head over to our blog for more insightful rental car know-how and curated travel guides.
