Gassing up is so simple with Communauto! A credit card is provided in all vehicles and valid at most gas stations in Canada, not just Shell.

To use the credit card, you must first activate it in the Communauto app:

• Click on “Credit card” in the reservation banner.
• This will give you the code that you will need to enter at the pump (the card remains active for 15 minutes).
• The maximum amount allowed is $100 (do not select a higher amount).

It is not necessary to provide us with receipts for purchases made with these cards.

Please note: If you plan to travel to the United States, plan your own means of payment and submit your receipts for reimbursement.

IMPORTANT: These cards only work under very specific conditions (see below). You must therefore always have on hand the necessary to pay for your purchases yourself just in case.

Here’s what you need to know:

• For security reasons, credit cards can only be used during an active reservation and must be activated in the mobile app before each use;
• Activating a card will not be possible if you are outside the cellular network. Make sure you have other means of payment, in case this happens;
• The card will be active for a period of 15 minutes, and can be reactivated as many times as necessary during the reservation;
• Transactions can only be made at the pump, at all gas stations across the country (not just Shell stations);
• As a security measure, the amount to be pre-authorized at the pump is $100 maximum. The card may not work if the daily maximum is reached;
• Be sure to put the card back in the holder after use, otherwise, you will not be able to end your trip correctly;
• Although you do not have to give us your receipts for purchases made with these cards, it is prudent to keep them for control purposes until the corresponding trips are billed.
• If you use another means of payment during purchase and wish to obtain a credit, you must always provide us with your receipts via the app or your online account. Learn more >

Safe travels!

We have more and more indoor stations where it is necessary to retrieve an accessory (a key, an access card or a remote control) via a lockbox in order to be able to access the parking lot.

Why are some stations equipped with a box?

• As mentioned above, there are stations where it is necessary to collect a key (or other accessories) before being able to access the vehicles. Learn more.
• We also have a number of vehicles located in areas where there is no cellular communication. An accessory is therefore also necessary to access the station and/or the reserved vehicle. You will recognize these stations easily by the “(NoCom)” mention at the end of their name. Learn more.

You will know if a station is equipped with a box or not by clicking on the name of the station, when selecting a vehicle (before booking it), or by clicking on “Important information” in the Communauto app.

Opening and closing the lockbox

It’s simple!

• To open a box, simply dial the 6-digit combination and turn the centre handle clockwise (to the right).
• To close, simply put the door back in place.

Be careful! Is the lockbox really closed?

Before leaving, make sure the box is truly closed and locked. Otherwise, its content could be accessible to everyone…and we don’t want that!

Where to find the code?

A 6-digit code is required to open the boxes. You will find the code:

• In the reservation confirmation message (if you have chosen to receive them)
• In the list of upcoming trips (click on the reservation to display the details)
• In the current reservation bar (click on the bar at the top of the screen to display the information).

The codes are different from station to station and can be updated at any time. It is therefore preferable to confirm the code when the time comes to access a box.

Our Kia Niro’s, with a range of over 400km, are extremely popular. They have traveled the far reaches of Ontario, Gaspésie, Iles-de-la-Madeleine, and even the Maritime provinces!

More electric vehicles will be added to the fleet, but for now, to make sure they continue to run well, a few guidelines are in order.

An electric motor isn’t like a thermal motor. The batteries are delicate, and charging can be unnecessarily expensive.

Level 3 station: Less is more

1. Do not leave the car charging for more than an hour at a fast-charge station. It prematurely wears down the battery and additional gains are much slower and unnecessarily expensive (cost per hour will double after a 90% charge).

Level 2 station: Don’t spend all day

2. Recharge the battery according to the residual charge. You wouldn’t put 60 litres of gas in a 40-litre tank! If, for example, the battery is at 50%, 7 hours of charging is more than enough.
3. Do not leave the car for more than 13 hours on a level 2 station.

A team in charge of…recharging

4. Never end your trip by leaving the vehicle charging at a public charging station. Let our team take care of that.

The use of Electric Circuit stations is not free. Let’s use them smartly! Fees will be added in the event of improper use.

Here’s a short video to help you out during your first charge:

Now you’re aware of the little things to take into consideration, to ensure our electric cars stay in good shape so you can continue to use them at a good price!

Summer in Quebec has caused demand to explode. We are redoubling our efforts to respond.

Quebec winters are a mixed bag: wind, blowing snow, snowfalls and ice storms. This is even more true on the roads, which can be clear one minute, then covered in snow or ice the next. Even though people in Quebec are used to driving according to the road conditions, don’t forget that any driver, even an experienced one, can run into problems.

Tips for a worry-free winter

FLEX vehicles

Snow removal credit

During winter, a credit of up to 15 minutes is applied to your trip for snow removal. Your billed trip time will begin when you start driving, or 15 minutes after you unlock the vehicle, whichever comes first.

The snow removal credit is applied regardless of the weather. If you use more than one FLEX vehicle in a day, the credit applies to each vehicle used. If you happen to use the same vehicle again during the day, the credit will only apply once.

The goal of this policy is to give you the best value by only charging you for the time you use the vehicle.

Snow removal operation and parking bans

During snowstorms, we might offer free use periods to members to help keep FLEX vehicles off the street and out of the way of snow removal operations.

It’s a win-win situation – the more it snows, the more generous our offers are!

To learn when these programs are active, watch for emails which will contain the details, or follow our socials to be able to act quickly. Vehicles disappear quickly once a snow event is announced, so keep an eye out during snowy weather!

Safety Tips

Give yourself extra time!

Winter comes with its share of surprises. To avoid being late, we suggest you plan a little extra time for your round-trip reservations in Edmonton or consider extending to give yourself a little extra time.

Remove all the snow before departing

Please be sure to remove all the snow around and on the vehicle before driving away, including the hood, roof, and headlights. Don’t forget to de-ice the wipers. If they remain stuck, they might break, at your expense.

Pay attention to parking signage

You are not permitted to abandon the vehicle at an unauthorized location – just as if it were your own car. Pay close attention to temporary signage for snow removal. See the Calgary and Edmonton parking rules.

Don’t forget gas and washer fluid

As usual, make sure the gas tank is at least a quarter full when you return the vehicle.

If you use all of the washer fluid in the tank, it must be refilled. Submit your receipts through the mobile app to get reimbursed. Please use cold weather windshield washer fluid (-40°), year-round.

Condensation

To fight condensation in an efficient manner, it’s advised to set the air intake dial to exterior rather than recirculation. Otherwise, the interior windows will remain covered in mist.

ABS brakes

All of our vehicles are equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS). If you feel a vibration in the pedal when you brake on a slippery road, it is most likely because the anti-lock brakes are in action.

Please be considerate

Please shake off your boots and the car mats to avoid snow or water accumulation in the car!

…And drive safely!

We can’t stress this enough! In winter conditions, drive carefully and slowly, and try to brake well in advance. Don’t hesitate to refresh your memory on starting up a car in cold weather by reading the manual located in the glove box of our cars.