Can You Put A Bike Rack On A Leased Car
Getting a four-wheeler doesn’t necessarily mean ditching your two-wheeler forever. You can always take some time to explore the world on your favorite bike. To enjoy a peaceful bike ride, you need to put your bike on a rack and haul it far from the busy roads. But what happens if you have a leased car?
Can you put a bike rack on a leased car? Usually, most dealers allow bike rack installation as long as it doesn’t damage the car. However, it depends on the agreement you make with your dealer. Check the agreement paper to know if you’re restricted from adding any bike rack or extensions to the vehicle.
You can contact their customer care service to get information. However, let’s dive deep and find out why you might or might not be allowed to add a bike rack on leased cars.
Are You Allowed to Put A Bike Rack on A Leased Car?
In most cases, you’re allowed to add additional accessories like a tow bar, bike rack, hitch carriers, etc. However, it completely depends on the dealership. You should check out your specific lease to see if there’s any mention of towing accessories.
If you have already leased the car, you can review your lease agreement’s maintenance and service clauses.
Otherwise, reach out to the company’s customer care services to get clear instructions regarding bike rack installation.
Here are a few situations where you aren’t allowed to put on a hitch, or you’ll be charged for the related damages.
1. Restrictions by The Dealer
Although most companies allow putting on towing accessories, some dealers might not allow them. In such cases, it should be mentioned on the agreement paper. So, it’s best to obtain a complete and comprehensive policy, especially for luxurious high-performance cars.
Before you lease a car, speak to the sales advisor to get the necessary permissions for reversible modifications like attaching a bike rack. Do not put anything if the agreement clearly says you’re not allowed to make even small modifications to the vehicle.
2. Damage to The Car Bumper
As you might know, most lease agreements mention ‘fair wear and tear’ when it comes to covering scratches, cuts, tear, and other damages. With a bike rack, there’s always a chance of scratching the car’s exterior body or damaging the paint.
Dents and chips are also common when you haul more than one bike at a time. Your car model and your agreement will decide whether you have to pay for those minor damages or not.
Chips, dings, scratches, and dents are typically considered ‘normal wear and tear.’ So, you don’t have to compensate for them.
However, it depends on the vehicle brand. For example, Ford allows up to three dents, scratches, and paint damage for each panel on the exterior body. The number can be different for other brands.
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3. Drilling Or Trimming
Unfortunately, drilling, trimming, and making holes in some other way isn’t considered ‘fair wear and tear.’ While installing a hitch, some tend to drill holes on the bumper or car frame. Avoid doing such things on a leased car. Otherwise, you have to compensate for the damage.
Instead of drilling, buy a rack that perfectly fits the specific car model. You can also get industrial-strength suction cups for the job.
Final Words
So, can you put a bike rack on a leased car? The answer should be clear by now. The best advice we can give is to check the agreement or call your dealer before putting a bike rack on a leased car.
Also, make sure the rack doesn’t scratch or dent the car frame excessively. Avoid making holes on the exterior body, and everything will be fine.
