(Part 3) Top products from r/lyftdrivers

I think it's very possible. My strategy (considering I already have a full time 9-5 job) is to drive only at night during the week. On the weekends it's a bit different. I work Saturday morning, take a break mid day, then start back up later in the evening when I'm re-energized to catch the people heading out to dinner or the bars/clubs. I don't like staying out too late on Saturdays because I like to be up early on Sundays because traffic is very light and you can get around town quickly. Sunday believe it or not, is my most profitable day, where I usually bring in $150-$200 easy. Traffic in my opinion is public enemy #1 for us drivers so I recommend staying off the road during high congestion hours and busy city centers. I hardly ever accept rides to pick up at sporting events or music venues because of the time wasted getting to the passenger. I stopped going to the airport this week for the same reason, it was an absolute nightmare at LAX. Also, I'm very picky about who I pick up. Anyone with a 4.7 or less rating I won't pick up, my acceptance percentage is usually in the 35-45 range. This strategy might not work for everyone, but it works for me. Another way I make more is by just being friendly to my passengers, having the basics like multiple universal phone chargers (buy a good rated one on Amazon that won't damage people's phones), and a clean car (most of the time). I don't wash it every week but I vacuum it if it needs it and have my black ice air freshener that leaves a good scent in my car that most passengers positively comment on when they get in my car. In regards to my interactions with passengers, just trust your gut and talk to the ones who look like they don't mind conversation and leave the ones who don't alone. Just yesterday I got a $7 tip to a person I only said hello and goodbye to. Some people just want to be left alone. I could go on and on but I'll leave it at that. DM me if you want more tips.

Here's my rating if your curious.

Thousands of rides here and I get constant compliments of the smell in my car.

I do 3 things

1. I use febreze auto which is a pleasant neutral smell that will eliminate odors quickly and give the car a pleasant neutral smell that isn’t overpowering ( I find it at wal mart for around $2-$3. It’s not in the air freshener section tho, usually in the auto section sometimes, where there’s other handy stuff for like your car or house)
   
   
2. I use new car smell hanging tree air freshener. I open the plastic bag at the top and let the tree poke out like it says on the back. I’ll bring the tree out a little at a time every few days and it hangs from my turn signal so it’s not an eye sore. Not overpowering and keeps your car smelling like new. I had people ask me last year if my 2012 sonata with 140k miles was a new car.
   
   
3. I wear Sauvage Eau de Parfum. It’s one of the best colognes ever made and will last you about 1.5-2 years for only $100. Everyone in your life will thank you especially your customers (and especially the lady ones haha). Both versions are good but the eau de parfum is sliiiightly better. One spray on your neck and maybe 1 more on your right wrist is enough. It’s worth double checking a YT video on proper cologne application to make sure you don’t put too much on or stomp the scent. Less is more and surprisingly many men have no clue how to apply cologne right.
   
   The key with these 3 things is that they aren’t overpowering and aren’t bad for your health. Those vent attachments are way too strong that I see some drivers use. They give me an instant headache and many passengers don’t like them. Try the above and see if it doesn’t help!
   
   (You can also roll the windows down for a few moments while going at least 35-40 mph to let the air clear and reset between rides if someone didn’t smell too desirable)

I think that you are doing it right from what it sounds like.. the golden rule to rideshare is really only speak when spoken too.. When I first start doing Lyft in 2013, people were more chatty and less on their phones, but now its more 20-30yr olds who just screw around on their phones, play their own music and never talk, I've had several 30mn rides lately with just an hello, and thanks for the ride, nothing in the middle, I just see the bright glow of their cell phone on their face in the rear view mirror. I also recommend the pikubu mirror for any rideshare driver to see the full view of the car, make sure people are putting on their seatbelts, and it's also awesome for having a conversation as you can see the person next to you's head in the mirror with the panoramic view without being "unsafe"..

https://www.amazon.com/Pikibu-180-Degree-Definition-Clarity-Mirror/dp/B00AGJFNCA

Yes!

I am reminded by your post to share this stuff as well: Optimum No Rinse

It's for the outside of your car, but it requires no water and works WONDERS. Every time I use it I'm like, "I need to spread the word on this shit!!!" (It's also highly concentrated, and a single teaspoon makes a GALLON.)

I put it in a spray bottle and mostly use it for touch-ups, and it's better than Windex for windows.

Here is best saver before this happens again, https://www.amazon.com/Emesis-Bags-Blue-72-EA/dp/B00VTX829I
And here is another helpful ideas! http://therideshareguy.com/11-products-that-every-rideshare-driver-should-be-carrying/

This vacuum is amazing. You will need to charge it at home but it's a very powerful little vacuum.


bdh2000pl

I watch YouTube or steam Google Play Movies. . . while having a cigarette in my car lol. Don't worry, I have a 4.9 rating and nobody seems to notice the smell. Remedy? I use the car fresher Ozium and over nights, I put the Ozium Gel Packs that way when I get in the car in the morning, there isn't the slightest smell of smoke.

My personal recomendations:

Vantru N2 Pro Dual Dashcam - $199 (there are good youtube videos that show you how to conceal the cord quite well, no special tools required.)

SanDisc Ultra 64GB - $16.75 (this is the max size the N2 pro can handle. I suggest getting several of them. They hold 6 hours of footage and will loop over. I swap it out when I'm done driving for the night or if I take a break on a full day.) You will want to get a 256GB SD card which will work with a Firmware upgrade found here. thanks to /u/radiowhatsit for the info.

Water resistant / anti shock memory card case - $7.99 (Nifty little protective case, holds up to 12 SD cards)

~$300 and you get peace of mind from most problems we can encounter.

These work great. I only need the polish one unless something has splashed on the window and needs to be washed off. Other brands work too. https://www.amazon.com/e-cloth-Window-Cleaning-Pack-2-Piece/dp/B004G621ZG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1520312124&sr=8-3&keywords=window+cleaning+cloth

I have heard really good things about this dash cam. Ordering it myself.dash cam

Buy a reader like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WCZwDbNNHPTVQ and the torque app on your phone. Figure out the problem by diagnosing yourself and save a lot of money.

After a few weeks, it failed...now I have one of these, it holds good so far


APPS2Car Magnetic CD Slot iPad Car Mount Universal Tablet Dash Holder for 6-10.1 Inch Tablet, iPad Mini 4 3 2 1, iPad 2 3 4 Pro 9.7", Samsung Galaxy T https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01517BVVS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_QSvE3ZN3bUWaJ

https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Universal-Waterproof-Sweatproof-Protector-x/dp/B01LBRDARU

https://www.amazon.com/SEAT-HERO-Waterproof-Seat-Cover/dp/B00I0AFC1O

https://www.amazon.com/MayBron-Gear-Waterproof-Protector-Protection/dp/B01M1NYX96

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QHC02EY/

These things can be lifesavers.

https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-280884-NeverWet-11-Ounce-Interior/dp/B00KRHF8BM/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1540852666&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=NeverWet&dpPl=1&dpID=41nuX6xcGHL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/Ozium-Air-Freshener-Sanitizer-oz/dp/B0143M9KP6

Use this. Don't listen to these guys saying frebreeze. Nothing works like this stuff.

I smoke in my car all the time.

I also get compliments from more than half of my riders about the smell of my car. First thing I usually he at when they get in after saying hello. Tons of people ask me for what scent I’m using

I use these . I found them originally at 7/11 but they are cheaper here on amazon

I just leave windows open when I smoke. After done with cig, I put it in a smell proof ashtray, then do the spray. 4 pumps, three in the back and one up front. Leave all windows open until I get close to the pickup then I close them. Never an issue, no complaints on my app - 4.99 rating.

The app really has nothing to do with signal reception. All GPS will struggle downtown because of the buildings blocking the sky. Here are a few tips: when you start your route take 10 seconds to look over the route, and take a screen shot so if you lose signal, you still know where to go. Or you can buy one of these. It drastically improved my reception downtown.