20:29 Dec 21, 2011 

Thanks Horst, but I think that's what the others have been saying. (I like your image, "to play the wet blanket card"--if I were a cartoonist, I would think how to draw that one!)

20:14 Dec 21, 2011 

in this statement, "unterstellt" does not have any of the strained meanings invoked. It merely indicates, by logic, a necessary condition. So "assuming", "xxx being presupposed" would cover the situation completely. And "dies" relates to conditions etc mentioned before the preparation and readiness of the vehicles.

11:09 Dec 21, 2011 

Exactly my reading :-)

11:00 Dec 21, 2011 

Hi Susan,
My reading of the two sentences is as follows. Lessee has to check oil, water levels and tyre pressure. Assuming vehicle was serviced and prepared for use by a mechanic, this requires the driver to monitor the relevant instruments and conduct visual inspections. "This" (i.e. dies) refers back to the obligation to check oil, water levels and tyre pressure.

Hence, the obligation on the driver / lessee could be different if the vehicle has not been serviced and prepared for use by a mechanic.

That is how I read these sentences.

Best Paul

06:06 Dec 21, 2011 

Unterstellt can also mean - it is the responsibility of... as mentioned by Susan [duty]. The onus is on ......etc. [to use an old-fashioned - but legal word].

05:58 Dec 21, 2011 

ist "beauftragen", Weisungen geben: http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/unterstellen_unterordnen...
Also: Nach erfolgter Anweisung des Mechanikers [nachdem der Mechaniker angewiesen worden ist], das Fahrzeug vorzubereiten und es bereitzustellen, ist der Fahrer nunmehr in der Lage, die Instrumente...zu beobachten.
Dies bezieht sich auf die Vorbereitung und Bereitstellung.

05:44 Dec 21, 2011 

I think "dies" somehow implies the whole technical car supervision that has to be performed by the lessee during the lease period, provided that the car has been previously checked by a mechanic. For "unterstellt" I found "supposed", so I think your translation "assuming" is ok. I thought about "provided", which would be rather used in case of a guaranteed technical check, this is how I understand it...

02:22 Dec 21, 2011 

These are the legal obligations of the person leasing the car. What precedes this sentence is:
"Der Mieter hat das Kfz sorgsam zu behandeln, insbesondere die technischen Vorschriften und Betriebsanleitungen zu beachten sowie die Verkehrssicherheit zu gewährleisten. Öl, Wasserstand, Reifendruck sind vom Mieter während der Mietdauer regelmäßig zu kontrollieren."
Which I've translated as:
"The Lessee shall treat the vehicle with due care, follow all technical regulations and instruction manuals and drive safely. It is the duty of the Lessee regularly to check oil and water levels and tyre pressure throughout the term of the lease."

02:14 Dec 21, 2011 

We need the full context please. What does "dies" refer to?