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Throughout
the Middle East, petrol is cheap compared
with European countries but with usually
only two grades available: 'Super'
(or mumtaz) is 98 octane and equivalent
to four-star; this is the best quality
and generally cleaner than regular
petrol (benzin). Service stations
are few and far between in remote
areas and on many desert roads, and
for this reason it is advisable that
you keep the tank filled if you intend
to travel long distances. Locally
produced maps often indicate the location
of petrol stations.
When
renting any vehicle, check the fine
print of the contract and be sure
to check lights, horn, seats, starter
and mirrors are all in good working
order. Carefully note any damage that
should be marked on a diagram on the
rental agreement. Also, check whether
there is auto liability insurance
with the vehicle; this should always
be in addition to your own insurance
cover and is necessary in case someone
is injured.
It
is advisable to book vehicle rental
well in advance of arriving in the
UAE - at least by a week - and consult
with your vehicle insurance broker
on additional holiday hire insurance
policies. Always make sure you have
collision and damage insurance and
personal accident insurance in place
before renting any vehicle, and be
sure to rent a car with air conditioning
for the summer months.
If
driving your own car, always make
sure to carry a comprehensive range
of spares as parts can be expensive
and hard to get if the car is of a
type that isn't commonly sold in the
Middle East. Tyres suffer badly on
hot or stony roads and it is therefore
advisable to carry at least one good
spare
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