Q: What kind of car is it?
A: The car is a cute little 2002 Suzuki Wagon R+ with a manual 5-speed gearbox, it is silvergrey and has registration 1791 BZX.
Q: What fuel?
A: It runs on regular fuel (aka 95), DO NOT FILL WITH DIESEL!
Q: Where is the car?
A: It is parked at EcoParking at Alicante airport. http://www.ecoparkingalicante.es/en/
Q: Where do I pick up the car?
A: Call EcoParking (+34 618 06 35 33 or +34 965 68 30 03) when you have your luggage and are at the top floor outside, all the way to the right. Watch for the EcoParking van. Note that the car and transfer needs to be ordered a few days in advance. Email: info@ecoparkingalicante.es
Q: How do I unlock all doors?
A: There’s no remote door opener! Put the key in the door lock and turn left once to unlock only that door. To unlock all doors, including the back door, turn key twice to the left. Lock all doors by turning the key once to the right.
Q: How do I start the car?
A: Take place in the car, adjust the seat and mirrors, put the safety belt on, press down the brake and clutch pedals, don’t touch the gas pedal, and start the engine with the key.
Q: Does the car have AC?
A: Yes, it has! Pull out the left warm-cold knob and the AC will start working. An orange light will light up in the knob. The AC does require the ventilator to be on though. Driving with the AC off and the windows open will also cool down the car interior at lower speeds.
Q: Are there any special instructions?
A1: Nope, just use and park it carefully. Be gentle with the knobs for the heater though. I’d advise keeping a max speed of 110 kmh on the AutoPista, at higher speeds the engine might be perceived as uncomfortably noisy.
A2: The lights do not come on automatically, you’ll have to switch them on and off, the switch is left of the steering wheel.
…a buzzer will sound if you open a door while the lights are still on. The buzzer will also sound if the key is still in the contact and a door is opened.
A3: The knobs for the heater are quite fiddly, try and avoid using them. The middle Vent knob is ok, the outer ones are not always coorporating.
Q: Are there any papers the police might require?
A: Indeed! There’s a tray under the passenger seat holding the required papers for the car. The required paperwork is in the glove compartment. The police can see that the car is currently insured, no papers are needed for that.
Q: Any particular Spanish rules that need to be obeyed?
A: Yes there are! Obey the rules as usual. Furthermore:
- No speeding, wrong parking, driving with one arm out the window or driving with unsuitable footwear (clogs, barefoot, socks only, slippers, flip-flops, …).
- No drink-driving, eating or drinking while driving, holding a cellphone, working the gps, …
- Keep track of local speed limits, they change often and police actively and regularity checks for speeding.
- In general: be careful and be aware that fines may be much more expensive than at home.
- Per 2021, there’s a speed limit of 30 kmh within city limits. Even though no-one seems to adhere to it, it is there!
Q: Is the radio any good?
A: The radio is ok but the speakers definitely are not. They’ll be replaced next time and after that the USB can be used to play your own selection of music. You can use the USB of the radio to charge your phone.
Q: Does it come with a spare wheel?
A: Yes it does. The spare wheel, jack, tools and obligatory reflective vests are in the boot under the cover. A first aid kit can be found strapped on the right side in the boot.
Q: Is there a spare key?
A: yes, but it is at our home in Sweden. When you pick uo the car from the parking, you get a key. Do not lose that key as you’ll have no spare, nor is there a spare in the apartment.
Q: Does it go in the basement parking at night?
A: Not necessarily. With the entry to the basement being rather narrow, it can stay parked outside overnight for all I care. When parked outside, either put a sun screen on the dashboard or park it with its front pointing north.
Q: How do I return the car?
A: Inform the parking company a few days in advance when they can expect you and the car back. See above for contact details.