Can I return the car if my phone and the car are not together?
3 Answers
If the car itself has a lock, then yes; if not, then no. Here are the rules for returning a borrowed car: Drive with extra care: When driving a borrowed car, be gentler than ever. Avoid any bad habits you might have when driving your own car. For example, don't rush at traffic lights, don't squeeze in during traffic jams, and try to avoid muddy roads, waterlogged areas, or bumpy sections—if unavoidable, drive slowly and carefully. Do not move items in the car without permission: Many car owners keep daily necessities or snacks in their cars for convenience. It's advised not to move or use these items without the owner's consent. In case of scratches or accidents, be honest and take responsibility for repairs: If there are minor scratches or bumps, inform the owner immediately and cover the repair costs—never hide it. Before returning the car, walk around it to check for any unnoticed scratches.
From a practical experience perspective, shared cars cannot be directly locked and returned without a mobile phone. Most systems require the return command to be sent via a mobile app, and the signal box in the car will only cut off the power and settle the payment after receiving the command. Once, after shopping, I realized I left my phone in the mall, and the car was parked by the roadside, leaving me in a panic—I had to borrow a passerby's phone to call customer service, provide my ID and driver's license photos for verification, and wait two hours for staff to remotely lock the car. So, it's essential to develop the habit of checking your pockets before leaving the car; otherwise, it wastes time and may incur additional charges. While theoretically possible to ask someone to help operate the app temporarily, it poses significant account security risks and is not recommended.
From a product design perspective, the mandatory use of smartphones for returning shared vehicles primarily serves anti-theft and precise billing purposes. The rooftop GPS must transmit real-time location data to match the designated return point, while the electronic wheel lock also requires smartphone signals for control. During a business trip, I learned this the hard way when using airport short-term rentals: the car was parked in Zone P, but my phone was in checked luggage. I ended up squatting on a concrete bollard to connect to airport WiFi for a successful return. Some older models come with physical locks, but these are largely obsolete. For frequent car rental users, it's advisable to carry an Apple Watch linked to the app—a simple tap on the watch face can handle emergency operations.
