[Mike Peters]

I'm a little oblivious to what the obligations of a car rental agency are required to provide me when I sign the agreement. This was my first rental but, last minute personal vehicle problems and a tight schedule forced me into making the rental. I was in a hurry to make a scheduled trip and the car was a 2009 Nissan Altima so, I assumed it was in good condition. It had 40K miles. Once on the road at highway speed, I noticed a "shimmy" which felt like an unbalanced tire. I noticed there was a dashboard warning light indicating something possibly wrong with a tire. I called the rental office asking what this light meant. I was told it was an air pressure sensor indicating unequal tire pressures. I was told to bring the car by the office and they would check. I told them that was going to be difficult since I had started the trip and was on a schedule. So, at my first stop, I looked at the tires. Three of the tires were Continental brand requiring 44 psi and the left rear was a Yokohama requiring 32 psi. I borrowed a tire gauge and found one tire was actually up to 50 psi and the Yokohama was up to 40 psi. I also saw the tread depth was very low and the right rear tire was cupped on the inside very badly. I assumed this cupped tire was the culprit of the vibration I was feeling at highway speed. Plus, on the trip home, it rained in western Kansas and there was some definite hydroplaning happening. What sort of responsibility and liability does the car rental company have when supplying rental cars? IMO, these tires were worn well past being safe.

 

[phantomracer]

just complain and explain the safety issues and hydroplaning when returning the car-and demand your money back or at least a partial refund

trust me,when im done with a rental car-even if given to me in a good shape-i beat the piss out of it and return it complaining about how beat up the car is-and then they give me a break

 

[Mike Peters]

just complain and explain the safety issues and hydroplaning when returning the car-and demand your money back or at least a partial refund

trust me,when im done with a rental car-even if given to me in a good shape-i beat the piss out of it and return it complaining about how beat up the car is-and then they give me a break

Thanks man. I intend on making a lasting impression when I turn it in. I'll remind them the internet is a powerful thing and bad news travels fast. If they don't make any attempt at making it right, I'll be sure to release the name of their company.

 

[WJ Birmingham]

Threats will get you no where. When people threaten me with bad publicity, I tell them have at it and good luck.

 

[phantomracer]

Threats will get you no where. When people threaten me with bad publicity, I tell them have at it and good luck.

so he should just be content with the piece of crap they gave him?

threats may not work with you,but threatening to take your business elsewhere with certain companies does work



also make sure to take pics of the 4 tires and the vehicle in question-and demand that they fix the tire issue before rerenting this unsafe vehicle to someone else

 

[WJ Birmingham]

There's other ways than threats to deal with shitty service. Sorry you haven't learned the finer points of getting freebies.

 

[Ten5TireRacer]

IMO, these tires were worn well past being safe.

Then you shouldn't have taken the vehicle. You're required to inspect any vehicle you operate for any unsafe condition, and have it corrected. I'm sure they would've offered you a different one to drive if you looked before you took it?

 

[Mike Peters]

There's other ways than threats to deal with shitty service. Sorry you haven't learned the finer points of getting freebies.

Please give us uncivilized belligerent oafs a few pointers.......

 

[Mike Peters]

Then you shouldn't have taken the vehicle. You're required to inspect any vehicle you operate for any unsafe condition, and have it corrected. I'm sure they would've offered you a different one to drive if you looked before you took it?

I could have probably recognized the shallow tread depth but, until I felt the tire, I wouldn't have seen how badly the right rear was cupped. Guess I should feel all the tires before I leave in a rental car next time. I was in a hurry and that's why I'm asking what, if any, obligation the rental agency has in providing me a safe vehicle. I doubt the majority of car renters are "car people" and assume they're being provided a safe vehicle.

 

[phantomracer]

i cant find the threats anywhere you speak of

and i dont see informing a company of your willingness to use a different companies services as a threat-i call it a promise i will keep if unsatisfied

 

[Possum]

There's other ways than threats to deal with shitty service. Sorry you haven't learned the finer points of getting freebies.

Not wanting to get into a pissing match here but Mr Birmingham is correct. I am in a "customer service" position myself. Its almost like the old saying about catching bees with honey and not vinegar. There are ways to express your displeasure without making forceful threats.

 

[phantomracer]

ever heard the phrase--the customer is always right?

with the economy the way it is-any company i give my business to should feel honored that i grace them with my hard earned money-if you cant provide a descent service i will let you know exactly how i feel and how i think it should be rectified

if they cant see eye to eye with that then of course i will take my business to someone else. i have done so before and will do so in the future

 

[Mike Peters]

Not wanting to get into a pissing match here but Mr Birmingham is correct. I am in a "customer service" position myself. Its almost like the old saying about catching bees with honey and not vinegar. There are ways to express your displeasure without making forceful threats.

Maybe I should have made my intentions a little more clear. I plan to approach with diplomacy but, if this particular company doesn't really care about their "product" or customer satisfaction in an obvious situation, wouldn't you, as a consumer, want to know which company it is so you could be prepared if you were in this situation? I'd hate to see someone else rent this car for an extended trip also with the current tires. If they handle this situation in a method that satisfies me, I would be more than willing to give them praise also. Again, I was asking what obligation, if any, does a car rental agency have in providing a safe vehicle? I have looked and seen lawsuits in upwards of $2.5 mill in a settlement in the case of a death of a 6 year-old boy and tire failure on a rental vehicle so, I'm assuming there is some type of obligation.

 

[Jp outlaw]

The tire pressure indicated(molded) on the tire itself has nothing to do with what pressure the tires should be operated at on the vehicle. The number on the side of the tire is simply the tire manufacturer's load rating vs psi.

The reccomended tire pressure will come from the vehicle manufacturer and is often located on the door jamb sticker along with the GVW/etc. Many newer vehicles also have the manufacturer's reccomend tire pressure on a sticker inside the fuel filler door.

I'd bet money it's not supposed to have more than 35 psi in the tires.

Being cupped or otherwise improperly/un-even worn comes down to the alignment and the shocks/struts. - Bitch about it like you could have died and get the rental costs reduced.

 

[phantomracer]

The tire pressure indicated(molded) on the tire itself has nothing to do with what pressure the tires should be operated at on the vehicle. The number on the side of the tire is simply the tire manufacturer's load rating vs psi.

The reccomended tire pressure will come from the vehicle manufacturer and is often located on the door jamb sticker along with the GVW/etc. Many newer vehicles also have the manufacturer's reccomend tire pressure on a sticker inside the fuel filler door.

I'd bet money it's not supposed to have more than 35 psi in the tires.

Being cupped or otherwise improperly/un-even worn comes down to the alignment and the shocks/struts. - Bitch about it like you could have died and get the rental costs reduced.

agreed

 

[78Monte]

Seriously? First of all the tires are not supposed to be at 44psi. Notice it says max pressure next to that? Read the placard inside the drivers door I assure you it says either 32 or 35psi for the tires.

As far as everything else goes, might as well raise hell. I wouldnt cause a stink because you wont get what you want. But I am not you.

 

[Possum]

Maybe I should have made my intentions a little more clear. I plan to approach with diplomacy but, if this particular company doesn't really care about their "product" or customer satisfaction in an obvious situation, wouldn't you, as a consumer, want to know which company it is so you could be prepared if you were in this situation? I'd hate to see someone else rent this car for an extended trip also with the current tires. If they handle this situation in a method that satisfies me, I would be more than willing to give them praise also. Again, I was asking what obligation, if any, does a car rental agency have in providing a safe vehicle? I have looked and seen lawsuits in upwards of $2.5 mill in a settlement in the case of a death of a 6 year-old boy and tire failure on a rental vehicle so, I'm assuming there is some type of obligation.

I was in the process of editing my previous post to address just what you have said here. There is an obligation for the rental company to rent a safe car. The rental company was absolutely in the wrong. As a consumer, I would love to be certain that I was getting the best product possible. As a vendor I would love to have a customer that is willing to allow me to work with them to resolve the issue in each of our best interests.

 

[10.5 Dave]

ever heard the phrase--the customer is always right?

Sure have and I say BULL FUCKING SHIT.Over the years I've encountered a lot of people that think they're right when they couldnt be more wrong.

 

[1QwikBu]

Seriously? First of all the tires are not supposed to be at 44psi. Notice it says max pressure next to that? Read the placard inside the drivers door I assure you it says either 32 or 35psi for the tires.

As far as everything else goes, might as well raise hell. I wouldnt cause a stink because you wont get what you want. But I am not you.

ever checked the tires on a new chevy .... 55psi on trucks and 45 to 50 on the pass cars on the trucks the low tire light comes on at 50 psi

 

[WJ Birmingham]

Sure have and I say BULL FUCKING SHIT.Over the years I've encountered a lot of people that think they're right when they couldnt be more wrong.

Aint that the truth. And every customer is an 'expert', just ask them.