Actual steps for using Mitsui's Carshares via Rakuten CarShare

Table of Contents

• Booking
• How to Unlock
• How to Lock
• How to Refuel
• Summary

Booking

First, access Rakuten CarShare and make a reservation.

Select the date, time, and area, then 'Search'.

This time, I'm renting this new Sienta.

Enter your reservation details and tap 'Next'.

Confirm your reservation details and tap 'Confirm Reservation'.

This completes your reservation.

Let's check the reservation details.

Tap 'Reservation Info' in the menu.

Tap the relevant 'Reservation Confirmation'.

Then, there's a 'Start Usage' button, though it's not yet tappable.

This button only appears for Mitsui's Carshares, and it becomes tappable 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

Tapping this button unlocks the car.

How to Unlock

Now, let's get in.

If no one has rented it immediately before you, with Mitsui's Carshares, you can get in 10 minutes before your reserved time. This period is not charged, so it's a bit of a bonus.

How many minutes before the scheduled start time can I pick up the car?

Let's move the pylon in front of the car.

At stations marked 'Bicycles allowed', you can park your bicycle here. Details here

10 minutes before the scheduled start time, open the reservation confirmation screen and tap 'Start Usage'.

Tap 'Start Usage'.

Then, there was a 'clunk' sound, and the car was unlocked.

The screen will look like this.

The button changed to 'End Usage'.

Get into the car, and in the passenger-side glove compartment, you'll find the car key. Turn it to 'Lend' and pull it out.

If you need to get in and out of the car during your usage, use this car key to unlock and lock it.

You only turn this when you start and return the carshare.

Inside the blue file in the photo, there was also a refueling card.

Once you've taken the car out, block off the parking space with the pylon.

How to Lock

Here's how to lock the car after use.

Once you've returned the car to the station,

Insert the key into the passenger-side glove compartment and turn it to 'Return'.

Check for any forgotten items and exit the car.

From the reservation confirmation screen, tap 'End Usage'.

Tap 'End Usage'.

'clunk' sound, and the car was locked.

The screen will look like this, and a return confirmation email was also received from Rakuten CarShare.

How to Refuel

How to Refuel 【Rakuten CarShare】

For refueling, use the refueling card (AMS card) found inside the blue file in the passenger-side glove compartment.

You can refuel at the following gas stations:

• ENEOS
• Cosmo Oil
• Showa Shell Sekiyu
• Esso
• Mobil
• General

If it's not a self-service station, just hand the card to the attendant.

For self-service, simply insert the card, and the fuel type selection screen will automatically appear.

For Mitsui's Carshares, it seems there's no need to leave the receipt in the car. (As it's not specifically stated)

For Orix CarShare, it states that receipts should be placed in the sun visor.

How to Refuel 【Rakuten CarShare】

Summary

• Unlocking and locking can be done via buttons on the reservation confirmation screen. (No prior key registration required)
• At stations marked 'Bicycles allowed', you can park your bicycle behind the wheel stop.
• The refueling card (AMS card) was in the glove compartment.
• No need to leave the receipt in the car when refueling.

While the usage fees and mileage charges are slightly higher than Orix CarShare, I think it's good because there are many stations and many new car models.

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