When traveling in countries like Spain, most individuals know that as soon as they get their car rental in Madrid, they should familiarize themselves with the vehicle. However, there are those who simply hop in these cars, put their seatbelt on and pull out of the lot. Whether these travelers have driven in Europe before, or are just excited to start exploring, they are setting themselves up for trouble on the road by not taking a few minutes to get to know their rental.

Since the slightest distraction can lead to an accident back home, where individuals are familiar with the rules of the road, matters can only get worse in a new country. As a result, travelers will want to take a few important steps before they start exploring.

The first thing drivers should consider doing is starting their car rental in Spain and letting the engine run for a few minutes. This allows the vehicle to warm up if it is cold outside, and also lets passengers make sure there is nothing wrong with the automobile.

As the car is warming up, drivers should get to know the basics of their rental. This means finding window and windshield wiper controls, the air conditioning buttons and the radio dial. Some may assume that every car is the same and not look for these features before pulling out of the lot. However, if they go to turn on the radio while on a busy road and accidentally start the defrosters, they will certainly be wishing they had taken a few minutes to get to know their vehicle.

Once travelers know how to turn on their headlights and windshield wipers, they will want to adjust their seat and mirrors so they feel more comfortable driving. After all, nobody wants to be fixing their mirrors while trying to pay attention to road signs in Spanish.

Having taken these steps, drivers are almost ready to hit the road. However, before they put their car rental in drive, these individuals should make sure they have a map or GPS handy. If they have yet to plot their course, or even give their map a quick look, travelers should definitely do so while they are still parked.

While drivers may delay their travel time by 10 minutes, these steps can only ensure a safer trip.