Things to Consider When Looking for Cheap Car Rental in Singapore

It comes as no surprise that owning a car in Singapore is a pretty pricey affair. That’s why tons of Singaporeans content themselves with the extensive public transport network which has become an integral part of life here. But between owning a car and jostling through crowds to get from one location to another, there’s another affordable transport option in Singapore–car rental!

There are many car rental companies in Singapore offering car rental services for various needs. If this is your first time renting a car, there are a few things you should definitely look out for. Keep reading to find this comprehensive guide we’ve put together on all you need to know about finding cheap car rental services in Singapore!

 

Basic Requirements for Car Rental in Singapore

Though the legal driving age for Singaporeans is 18, you won’t necessarily be able to rent a car to get around in till you’re 21, but with a higher excess for those with driving experience of under 2 years, so check out these basic requirements if this is your first time considering car rental in Singapore!

Minimum Driving Age: Most car rental companies have a minimum driving age of 21-23 years old and NRIC and Driver’s License has to be produced for the car rental.

Expats: For Expatriates, passport, employment pass and valid International Driver’s Permit (IDL) must be produced. In the absence of an IDL, the hirer can produce their own country’s driver license which has to be translated into English.

 

Figure Out Your Car Rental Needs

Short Term Car Rental

If you’re looking for a car for a fun little weekend getaway or if you simply feel like spending a few days cruising around to beat the crowds during holidays, a short-term car rental will be the best option for you.

Also, the general rule of thumb is that the shorter the rental duration, the higher the rental costs per day. So taking the time to assess how long you’re going to rent a car can really make a difference to the final expenditure. If you are going to rent a car for more than 2 weeks, check the difference between the daily and monthly rental so you can do your math and figure out which is better for you.

 

Long-Term Car Rental

For those who do not want to bear the burden of the costs that come with owning a car, but still want to drive frequently, long term car rental options may be more suitable for you. Usually, long term car rental packages come in the form of monthly or yearly contracts depending on the user. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, one-year and longer contracts are usually cheaper than monthly contracts, if you break down the costs on a daily basis.

If you’re going to be driving the car frequently over a significant period of time, you should definitely opt for a long-term car rental package. You may also want to pick a specific model that will best suit your needs, given your frequent use. At ETHOZ, we offer a wide variety of make and models to suit your needs or preferences. If you are able to commit a longer term, i.e., 2 years or more, you will have the option of leasing a brand-new vehicle.

 

When is the Best Time to Get Cheap Car Rental?

As the saying goes, timing is everything–and that holds true even for car rentals! If you’re anticipating the need to rent a car during peak periods such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and so on, you may want to approach your car rental service provider way before this festive period to avoid peak period surcharges. The peak period surcharge will apply as long as your dates fall within the peak period but you may be eligible for early bird discounts if you make a booking early! However, if you are flexible with your dates, you may want to avoid renting during the peak period to avoid paying premium rates. Not to mention, if you put this off till right before the festive period, you might find that your car models of choice have all been snapped up!

 

What is Included in the Car Rental Package?

Different car rental companies carry varying assortments of car fleets and have different terms and conditions that are included in the car rental package. If you’re looking to save costs on car rentals, it is important to pay attention to the following details that entail renting a car. This may save you the additional expenses that may arise in certain circumstances.

 

Insurance Coverage

If you’ve never owned a car before and are looking to rent a car for the first time, insurance is something that you should definitely look into. It is advisable that you familiarise yourself with some of the terms included in car insurance.

 

Named Driver

If you’re renting a car for use among yourself and other family members or even friends, do ensure that all your names are stated in the contract. You should check with your car rental company to verify how many drivers are allowed to drive the rental car and if additional payment for insurance is required for additional drivers as the insurance company can choose not to cover unnamed or additional drivers.  If someone whose name isn’t in the contract drives the car, you may not be insured and this may result in additional costs when the need arises to claim insurance.

 

Excess

Excess refers to the maximum amount that you have to pay on your own in the event an accident occurs. For instance, if you are involved in an accident you will be liable for the Excess stated in the contract regardless of the repair cost which can be higher or lower that the Excess. However, if the accident is found to be 100% liable to the third party, the excess you have paid will be refunded. Do note that for those planning to drive into Malaysia, the excess may be even higher.

For those above or below a certain age or has driving experience less than the minimum required stated in the contract, you will be subject to an additional Excess on top of the stipulated Excess. If you are planning to drive into Malaysia, do note that in the event an accident occurs, you will be subject to a higher Excess.

 

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

If in the case of an unfortunate event where the car is subjected to some damage while you’re driving it, you will be held liable for the Excess stated in the contract. However, if you wish to lower the Excess liability, you can simply purchase a CDW when renting to lower the Excess. All you have to do is pay a little more upfront and you can drive with a peace of mind!

 

Theft Protection

While none of us ever imagine our rental car getting stolen, it is best that we are prepared for such a scenario. Theft protection insurance can protect you against the costs you would have to pay if your car or even parts of it get stolen. Just like how a CDW works, you simply have to pay extra upfront and the theft protection insurance will reduce your liability if the car gets stolen.

 

Accidents & Emergency Breakdown Services

Accidents can happen at any time, and it’s important that you can get help as soon as possible in such times of distress. Fortunately, ETHOZ has a 24/7 operating call center that can assist you if you need help in the event of a vehicle breakdown or accident. In the unfortunate event that an accident occurs, note down the vehicle number of the involved drivers as well as capture photos of the accident site for the accident report. Subsequently, report the accident within 24 hours to ETHOZ Accident Reporting Centre situated at Bukit Batok and Tampines to submit the accident report. The Claims Sales Executives at ETHOZ will arrange for the repairs to be made and also assist in resolving the insurance claims.

 

Driving to Malaysia

If you’re looking for a short-term rental for a road trip to Malaysia, it is important to make sure that this is included in the rental package, since not all rental companies allow you to drive their cars to Malaysia. While some car rental companies offer special packages for you to drive into Malaysia, some companies may charge an additional surcharge for crossing the causeway. Also, some rental companies do not provide insurance coverage and some of the smaller rental companies may not provide breakdown services in Malaysia. Do make sure you clarify with the car rental company before entering Malaysia to extra costs for your car rental!

 

Cheap Car Rental Singapore

If it’s your first time renting a car in Singapore, it may be confusing — especially with so many things to look out for to find the most suitable car. If you’re still having trouble deciding on a car rental package that would best meet your needs, simply give our team at ETHOZ a call at 66547788 or drop us an email at contactus@ethozgroup.com today!

 

Why Your Business Should Lease Commercial Vehicles

It’s no secret that Singapore has become an epicentre when it comes to business opportunities– and this is true in a wide range of sectors. Companies from far and wide have begun to open headquarters within the region as a way to expand their business across ASEAN and Asia.

However, what many business owners don’t realise is the importance of having access to high-quality vehicles. Integrating the use of commercial vehicle rental in Singapore can have many benefits for your business–here are 6 major reasons your business in Singapore should lease commercial vehicles!


1. Leasing Offers Flexibility

Businesses should always aim to adhere to a strict budget, and purchasing a fleet of commercial vehicles may not be the most budget-friendly option depending on your situation–especially given the high cost of vehicles in Singapore!

Instead of buying your fleet, consider van rental in Singapore as a flexible alternative instead. With leasing, you don’t own the vehicle, and it’s yours to use during the dates specified in your contract. So if your business needs vans for mid to long-term purposes, this is definitely the way to go.

Not to mention, leasing also gives you the added flexibility in growing your business by expanding your fleet. When your leasing expires, you have flexibility in upgrading the vehicle, which is suitable for those with business expansion plans in the works.

At the end of your lease, it’s up to you whether you want to renew your contract or not. And if you decide to renew your lease, you may even opt for an entirely new fleet of vans and cars for an extremely cost-effective rate.


2. Vehicle Leasing Is an Affordable Solution

Singapore is one of the most expensive places to own a single vehicle, let alone an entire commercial fleet. It’s essential to find ways to save money when it comes to obtaining commercial vans or automobiles, and many business owners quickly learn that leasing is the most affordable answer.

Buying a vehicle in Singapore usually requires a down payment. That’s not pocket change. However, if you opt for renting vans in Singapore instead, you can get a much better deal by avoiding this huge down payment cost. This can be especially important for SMEs in Singapore that are looking to expand their operations.

Another benefit of leasing is that you can easily find a price point that fits your budget, and you can even alter the length or terms of your lease to meet your company’s usage. For example, you can choose to rent your commercial vehicles for a short-term or long-term period, depending on your needs.

This will save you any sunk cost you might otherwise incur from having to invest in purchasing a fleet of commercial vehicles on your own. Not to mention, vehicles always come with upkeep costs, even if they’re not actively being used all the time! So don’t just consider the initial cost outlay, factor in all the associated costs of owning a vehicle in Singapore.


3. Eliminates Maintenance

Like we mentioned earlier, owning a vehicle requires a lot of maintenance and upkeep—all of which comes at a considerably hefty price. And if you run a company, having a fleet of vans can potentially set your bank account in the red. An easy solution to this dilemma is to rent your commercial vehicles from a service provider you can trust.

For instance, at ETHOZ, our commercial vehicle rental service is designed to help you meet your business objectives. We quality assure all our vehicles to ensure that they’re running as they should so you don’t have to worry about constant upkeep while preventing possible breakdowns. Maintenance of the vehicles is included in the rental package which essentially translates to zero maintenance cost on your part. It is also a worry-free option as you do not need to go out of the way to source for maintenance quotes on your own!

Consider this: the more well-maintained your fleet, zero maintenance costs and downtime incurred.

Our team can also help you monitor and manage operating administrative costs, and performance efficiency.


4. Commercial Vehicle Support

The last thing you want is for your van to break down in the middle of a workday–but these things are unavoidable when you’re busy running a business! Even the best vehicles sometimes have problems, and if you own your fleet, you’ll have to find a way to get out of this sticky situation yourself.

But renting your vans and commercial vehicles can often come with supporting services such as roadside assistance, which means less operational and financial stress on your business! At ETHOZ, we provide 24/7 help to our customers as and when the need arises, so not to worry!


5. Save Time to Focus on Core Aspects of Business

As a business owner, there is already so much on your plate, with various administrative matters to tend to. Leasing your fleet means that you can spend more time productively — managing the different core aspects of your business while leaving tasks such as planning and scheduling of maintenance of the vehicles to ETHOZ.

As we mentioned earlier, ETHOZ’s fleet management team dedicates their time to monitoring the rental fleet’s operations and performance efficiency. This eliminates the need for you to assign headcount to manage maintenance — a time and cost-effective option for your business!


6. Replacement Ready

Reducing vehicle downtime is always a concern for business owners as it invariably incurs cost. Minimizing this downtime is one of the ways business owners seek to optimise their operations. Luckily ETHOZ provides replacement services for you at your convenience — one of the perks of renting commercial vehicles!

ETHOZ has a ready replacement fleet at their disposal which will definitely reduce the vehicle downtime for your business in the case where your vehicle needs to be replaced or sent for maintenance. In the case of scheduled maintenance, a replacement vehicle will definitely be provided so as not to disrupt your daily operations. In the unfortunate case of a breakdown, a replacement will be arranged for you as soon as a suitable replacement vehicle is available.


Rent Your Commercial Vehicle Fleet

Renting commercial vehicles in Singapore definitely comes with tons of benefits for your business, but before you decide to lease any vehicles in the long term, always check in on what your rental company has to offer! But if you’re still struggling to decide on a commercial vehicle rental provider to work with, don’t hesitate to give our team at ETHOZ a call at 6654 7773 or drop us an email at contactus@ethozgroup.com today!

5 Things Drivers Should Never Do In An Automatic Transmission Car

Driving an auto transmission vehicle tends to be the drivers’ preferred choice for the ease and convenience. Although it seems to be a straightforward process, there’re still hidden pitfalls that drivers should keep away from to have smooth driving experience. Been a frequent patron for car rental services in Singapore but always been charged extra on repair work for transmission problems upon returning your rental car? Your driving habits may be secretly damaging the gearbox. Here’s 5 habits drivers should avoid while driving an automatic transmission car!

1. Never shift the gear to park until the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

Please do not shift the gear to park while the car is still moving. By doing so, it may damage or break the locking pins that are meant to lock the transmission in place. Unlike the parking brakes which are meant to bring the vehicle to a stop, the park gear prevents the vehicle from moving.  Do rather be patient by applying the park brake and the lever to a complete stop than to spend more money for unnecessary repairs. With the advancement of modern automation, newer vehicles comes with speed sensors which prevent drivers from doing so.

 

2. Never put the vehicle in neutral mode while going downhill

One of the habits that some drivers have is to slide down slopes with neutral gear engaged (coasting).  The misconception that they have is that it’s fuel economy in this way. In neutral mode, the gearbox will be disconnected with the transmission with more fuel used to keep the engine at idle and insufficient fluids to lubricate the transmission for a smooth operation, causing significant wear and tear to the transmission band.

Not only it damages the vehicle transmission, drivers also have limit control over the vehicle. In neutral mode, connection is cut off the engine and the wheels. Drivers will not be able to accelerate or react in time in the event of any emergency and becoming a major road hazard. Do you know that coasting in neutral gear is prohibited in some states in United States? After all, it’s not worth to risk the repair fee and your life.

 

3. Never put the vehicle in neutral mode at traffic lights

Similarly when travelling down slopes, drivers have the misconception that it’s fuel economy to engage in neutral gear at traffic lights. However, it might end up revving the engine, consuming more fuel and more friction, damaging the transmission with more friction in the process. Apart from the fuel efficiency, drivers enjoy the fact that they will be able to rest their foot away from the brakes especially during traffic jams. Engaging in neutral gear is dangerous as drivers will have no control over the vehicle especially if any emergency movements is required.

For those who engage in the park gear during traffic lights, the damage involve will not be as minimal after all. Imagine having to switch from drive to park mode at every traffic light? In a long run, it’s a burden and will lead to critical damage to the transmission. Who knows if the gear might end up in reverse mode accidentally? Therefore, it’s always the best to step on the brakes and keep the gear in drive mode while waiting for the traffic lights to turn green! For newer vehicles which comes with the start/stop button, another option is to switch off the engines if the stop is lengthy.

 

4. Never try switching gears without stopping

Ever tried shifting gears without stopping in a manual transmission vehicle? You’ll probably get a very loud screeching sound. It’s a bad habit to switch gears while the vehicle is in motion. While automatic transmission vehicles will allow drivers to do so, the rapid movement of the gear shift could wear out the gearbox at an astounding pace. Use your brake to stop the vehicles before engaging in any gear shift.

 

5. Never launch the vehicle in neutral gear

Revving the car in neutral gear sounds cool in action movies. However, do you know that it’s actually very bad for the vehicle? Never rev the car engine in neutral gear and dip to drive suddenly to launch forward. Automatic transmission uses a torque convertor which serve the same purpose as the clutch in manual transmission vehicles, transmitting power from the engine to the wheels which are used to change and drive in different gears. By doing so, both the clutch and the transmission bands get wear out very fast and it’s costly to replace!

To prevent unexpected car rental charges, you may want to take note of the pointers above. For car owners, to lengthen the life and functionality of the vehicle components, do look out for your driving habits! Stay tuned for the next article on signs that drivers should look out for possible transmission problems.

As a full-fledged automotive solutions provider, ETHOZ provides car rental and leasing services in Singapore. Trusted by our clients, we are known for our reliability and high service standards. To optimize the best driving experience for our customers, we conduct stringent quality checks for every vehicles. These checks are performed by experienced mechanics in our own workshop facilities before every vehicles are released for use.