Having a car abroad can make a trip so much easier. The UAE region has many winding roads and off-road landscapes. However, having a car in perfect condition the entire trip can prove to be wishful thinking. This is why we are offering a few tips to help maintain your car and fix up a few issues when you can. Things from car suspension repair to pushing out those dents. If you are planning a trip to the UAE and hiring a car, look below at what you can do to keep your car healthy.
Storing the Car safely
The best way to keep a car rental from suffering damage is to store it safely when you are not using it. Leaving a car out in the open to the elements can do more damage than accidents on the road. Here are some simple steps to take when knowing where to park:
- The first step is keeping a car inside. The UAE region is known for hot climates and rapid weather changes. Keeping it inside can prevent dust or heavy rain from getting on it. Hiring a garage or parking in a building lot is recommended. If you need to park it outside, try getting a car cover to keep it clean.
- Before you park the car, keep it washed and clean too. Make sure that the interior stays dry so that no mold can develop. Clean off any dirt you see on the exterior such as the tires and hood.
- Change the oil and keep it fueled before you travel. This can keep the car fresh and not contaminated with dirty oil. Filling up the gas before parking can mean you are ready for long trips as soon as the journey begins.
- Make sure you don’t leave the parking brake on. Leaving it on while in storage can cause it to freeze up.
While on the Road
When travelling through the UAE, you can experience multiple landscapes. The advanced city of Dubai is full of twisting roads that curve through the city. Outside of Dubai are the open roads, with the dusty deserts and scaling cliffside of the coast. You are bound to run into a few dints that could cause trouble for your car.
If you ever experience a breakdown in the middle of the road, have no fear. The UAE is packed with car services that can help you when you’re in trouble. Many of which are just a quick phone call away. Since they expect many tourists to rent cars for the road, a lot of the rental services may come with a service package. This can include free pickup in case you break down. A list of UAE car services can be found below. Be sure to look them up beforehand for their contact details:
- Car Recovery Abu Dhabi
- TRAC UAE
- Recovery Services UAE
- TRT Recovery UAE
- Service My Car
Preparing for the Long Trip
Here are some final tips to do before your long road trip through the UAE begins. The first major car part to look over is your tires. Make sure there are no tears or punctures. If there is any damage before the journey, long-road travel could cause it to be permanent. This means you will need a change of tires and that could be more costs on your journey. Luckily, a lot of car rentals will have a tire pressure monitoring system. This will alert you if the pressure is off.
Make sure your lights are working correctly when travelling at night. Replace them if you must as broken lights are illegal in most states. Replace the coolant so that a regular temperature is circulating through your car. A hot car will lead to broken parts. Refill the brake fluid so that it is working properly. Check with the car rental service to see what kind of fluid is required.
Once you have everything ready, you are ready to travel abroad. Remember to do regular checkups with everything mentioned above. If anything is out of your control or you are unsure, consult the car breakdown services.
