Quick Summary:
- Set speed to miles per hour, and temperature to Fahrenheit.
- Adjust seat, mirrors, steering wheel, then confirm blind spot coverage.
- Check headlights, indicators, wipers, and hazards before leaving the bay.
- Review lane assist, cruise control, and parking sensors for your comfort.
Before you roll out of the lot with a rental car in California, take a couple of minutes to standardise the in-car settings. It reduces stress, prevents simple errors such as driving with the wrong lights, and helps you understand what the vehicle will do if you drift lanes or approach another car too quickly. Modern cars often remember the last driver’s preferences, which can be unhelpful or even unsafe for you.
This quick checklist focuses on units, driver-assist features, mirrors, lights and infotainment basics. It is designed to be done while parked, with the handbrake on and the engine running if needed. If you picked up at a busy airport facility, doing this at the edge of the car park before joining traffic is still better than discovering settings at a junction.
If you are collecting near Northern California hubs, the pickup experience and vehicle mix can vary, but the same steps apply. For example, travellers using Dollar car rental at San Francisco SFO often get newer models with driver aids enabled by default, while others may receive a more basic trim where features are off. Either way, verify what you have before you drive.
1) Units and key display settings
Start with the instrument cluster and centre display. Your aim is to ensure you are interpreting speed, range and warnings correctly.
Speed and distance: In California you will be driving in miles per hour and distances in miles. Many rentals are already set correctly, but some vehicles retain kilometres per hour from a previous renter. Look for a “Units” menu in Settings, Vehicle, or in the instrument cluster controls on the steering wheel.
Temperature: Set cabin temperature and outside temperature to Fahrenheit if that is how you think. If you prefer Celsius, that is fine, but be consistent so you do not misread weather or climate settings.
Fuel and range display: Confirm whether the fuel gauge is easy to read and whether “distance to empty” is shown. On long California stretches, especially in hotter inland areas, knowing the remaining range can help you plan fuel stops calmly.
Clock and time zone: Check the time is correct. It matters for timed parking, meeting arrivals, and avoiding the temptation to glance at your phone. Most systems update via GPS, but not all.
2) Seat, steering wheel, head restraints, and seatbelts
Comfort is safety. A poor seating position makes mirrors harder to set, increases fatigue, and slows reactions.
Seat distance and height: You should fully depress the brake with a slight bend in your knee. Set the seat height so you can see the bonnet and road clearly without craning your neck.
Seatback angle and lumbar: Keep the seatback fairly upright so your shoulders remain in contact when holding the wheel. Adjust lumbar support to reduce lower-back strain, which matters on longer drives.
Steering wheel reach and tilt: You should be able to rest wrists on top of the wheel without locking elbows. Confirm the wheel does not block the instrument cluster.
Head restraint: Raise it so the top is near the top of your head. It reduces whiplash risk.
Seatbelt height adjuster: If fitted, set it so the belt crosses mid-shoulder, not your neck.
If you are travelling with family or lots of luggage, consider whether the vehicle class matches your needs. People arriving through minivan rental at Sacramento SMF often appreciate the higher seating position and easier mirror sightlines, but you still need to set everything deliberately.
3) Mirrors and basic visibility checks
Mirror setup is the quickest win for confidence when driving an unfamiliar vehicle.
Rear-view mirror: Centre it on the rear window. If it is an auto-dimming mirror, confirm you can see clearly in daylight. Some have a small lever or a button to toggle dimming behaviour.
Side mirrors: Adjust so you just barely see the side of the car, not a wide strip of it. The goal is to expand your field of view, not admire your own doors. When you lean slightly left or right, the adjacent lane should come into view.
Blind-spot indicators: If the mirrors have a small light, check it illuminates during the vehicle’s self-test. Remember these systems assist, they do not replace shoulder checks.
Rear camera and 360 camera: Engage reverse while holding the brake to confirm the camera image appears, is not obscured, and the guide lines make sense. If the view is blurry, wipe the camera lens.
Window demist and defog: Identify the front and rear demist buttons before you need them. Coastal fog and morning chill can catch visitors out even in California.
4) Lights, indicators, wipers, and hazards
Controls differ widely between brands, so spend 30 seconds finding everything.
Headlights: Many cars have an Auto setting. Confirm it is on if you want the car to manage lights. If you prefer manual control, learn the positions for parking lights, dipped beams, and high beams. Note that daytime running lights do not always illuminate tail lights, so Auto can be safer at dusk.
High beam assist: If equipped, decide whether you want it on. It can be helpful on darker roads, but may flick on and off more than you like in traffic.
Indicators: Test left and right signals. Some cars have “lane change” indicators that flash three times with a light touch. Know how yours behaves.
Wipers and washers: Locate the wiper speeds, intermittent setting, and washer spray. Check the rear wiper if you are in an SUV.
Hazard lights: Find the hazard button so you can use it if you need to pull over or warn other drivers. This is especially useful if you stop briefly to re-check directions.
At larger pickup facilities, you might be assigned different makes across the same category. Whether you collect from car rental at Sacramento SMF or elsewhere, a quick control check prevents fumbling while merging into fast-moving lanes.
5) Driver-assist features: choose what you want on
Driver-assist systems can reduce workload, but only when you understand their limits. Make these choices while stationary.
Lane keeping and lane departure: These may vibrate the wheel, beep, or gently steer if you approach lane markings. If you are not used to it, the steering input can feel surprising. Consider starting with alerts only, then enabling active assist once you are comfortable.
Adaptive cruise control: If you will use it on freeways, set a sensible following distance. In California traffic, a larger gap is calmer, but other drivers may merge into it. Know how to cancel cruise quickly, usually with brake or a cancel button.
Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking: These are safety features that many drivers leave on. If alerts feel overly sensitive, check whether you can adjust warning timing. Avoid turning off emergency braking unless the vehicle manual advises it for a specific condition.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert: Useful in busy car parks. Confirm the system is enabled and understand what the warnings look and sound like.
Parking sensors and park assist: Parking sensors can beep frequently in tight structures. Learn whether the button toggles front sensors, rear sensors, or both, and whether the system reactivates each time you restart.
Traction and stability control: These should generally stay on. If you see a button to disable traction control, avoid pressing it unless you have a clear reason and understand the consequences.
Auto start-stop: Some cars switch the engine off at stops. If you dislike the feel, look for the disable button. Note it may reset each time you restart the car.
6) Infotainment basics: phone, navigation, and audio
Most frustration in a new car comes from infotainment. Keep it simple and focus on what you actually need to drive safely.
Pair your phone safely: If you will use Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto, pair while parked. Confirm calls route through the car speakers and the microphone works. If the prior driver’s phone is still saved, delete it to avoid unexpected connections.
Set navigation method: Decide whether you will use the built-in navigation or your phone. If you use your phone, confirm the car’s USB port is accessible and provides charging. Bring a cable that fits your device.
Volume and mute controls: Locate the physical volume knob or steering wheel buttons. Check how to mute quickly, so you can reduce distractions in dense traffic.
Radio and media sources: Turn off any loud preset that might startle you when the system reconnects.
Screen brightness and night mode: Adjust brightness for comfortable visibility. A bright screen at night can be distracting, especially on unlit roads.
Driver distraction settings: Some systems limit certain actions while moving. Learn what you can and cannot do once on the road, and plan stops if you need to change routes.
7) Climate control, defogging, and cabin comfort
California spans coastal damp, mountain cold, and inland heat. Small comfort settings affect alertness.
Air conditioning: Confirm the AC actually blows cold and that fan speed works. If it is weak, try switching from Eco to Normal if the vehicle has drive modes that affect climate performance.
Recirculation: Use recirculation for quick cooling in heat, but switch to fresh air if windows fog.
Front windscreen defog: Press the dedicated defog button if windows haze. It usually engages AC and directs air to the windscreen.
Heated seats and heated steering wheel: If fitted, learn where the controls are so you are not searching while driving. Turn them off when not needed to avoid discomfort.
8) Safety and legal essentials at the lot
These are not “settings”, but they are worth checking before you exit the rental area.
Fuel type reminder: Look at the fuel door or manual to confirm petrol or diesel, then note which side the fuel door is on. Many clusters show a small arrow next to the fuel pump icon.
Headlight height and load: If the boot is packed and the front feels light, you may need to redistribute luggage. Poor load balance affects steering and braking.
Child seats: If you have a child seat, confirm it is installed correctly and tight. Check harness routing and that the seat does not move more than about an inch side-to-side at the belt path.
Warning lights: After starting, look for any persistent warning lights. If a tyre pressure warning stays on, ask staff whether the tyres need topping up.
Spare wheel or inflator kit: Know what the car provides. Some rentals have an inflator and sealant instead of a spare. Knowing this in advance changes what you do if you get a puncture.
Different airports and suppliers can mean different vehicle makes and trim levels. If you are comparing options such as car hire at San Jose SJC, expect that driver-assist menus may vary. A consistent pre-departure routine keeps you in control regardless of badge or model year.
9) A quick “ready to roll” sequence
If you want a simple order to follow every time, use this sequence:
First, seat, wheel, belt, mirrors. Second, lights, wipers, hazards. Third, units and displays. Fourth, driver-assist preferences. Fifth, phone and navigation. After that, take a breath, check your surroundings, and leave the bay slowly.
Doing this at the lot is especially helpful in California, where you may merge quickly into multi-lane roads. With the basics set, you can focus on traffic flow and signs rather than searching for a demist button or wondering why the car is beeping at lane lines.
FAQ
Q: Should I turn off lane keeping assist in a rental car?
A: If it feels unfamiliar, start with lane departure alerts only. Keep it on if it helps you, but learn how to override it with steady steering input.
Q: What units should a rental car in California use?
A: Speed should be in miles per hour and distances in miles. Temperature is commonly Fahrenheit, but you can choose what you understand best.
Q: Why does my rental car keep shutting the engine off at stops?
A: That is usually auto start-stop. Many cars allow you to disable it with a button, but it may switch back on after restarting.
Q: How do I stop a previous renter’s phone connecting to the car?
A: In Bluetooth or phone settings, delete saved devices and turn off auto-connect. Pair your own phone while parked, then test audio and calls.
Q: What lights should I use when driving near the coast?
A: Use dipped headlights in fog or low visibility, even in daytime. Auto mode often works well, but confirm tail lights are on when needed.
