7 Things To Check When Doing A Serious Test Drive
by Julian Moya
When you find a used car that you really like and want to purchase, it's important that you take that vehicle on a serious test drive. On a serious test drive, there are numerous things you need to check out to ensure the car gives you everything you need and want.
1. Look at the Exhaust
Allow the car to run for a while, and then pull over and check out the exhaust. Or, if you have a passenger riding with you, have them check behind the car as you are driving at the exhaust. The smoke from the exhaust should not really be noticeable. However, if the smoke is a thick white or blue, then the car has an issue. Blue smoke usually indicates the engine is burning fuel, and thick white smoke can indicate that the engine is burning coolant, which can be caused by a host of costly issues, such as a damaged cylinder head.
2. Check the Brakes
You are going to want to check the brakes a few times. Pay attention to how the brakes handle slowing down and how they handle a sudden stop. Be wary of any grinding, squeaking, or metal-on-metal sounds, which indicate that the brake system needs immediate repair.
3. Pay Attention to How the Engine Sounds
When the car is idling and when driving around, pay attention to how the engine sounds. It should have a smooth hum to it. If you notice knocking or sputtering noise, that indicates serious engine issues.
4. Look for Smooth Shifting
Even in an automatic car, the engine still must shift. When you increase the revolutions and feel the engine shift from one gear to another, pay attention to how smooth the process is. Any hesitation when shifting gears could mean the vehicle has a serious transmission issue.
5. Pay Attention to Overall Handling
When you are test driving a car, give the car your entire focus. Pay attention to how the vehicle responds at low and high speeds, how it handles hard turns and sudden stops, how it handles getting up to around 55 mph, and how it handles cruising at lower speeds. Put the car under different conditions so you can see how it really responds.
6. Look Out for Warning Lights
Be sure to look at the dashboard and make a note of any warning light that is lit up on the dashboard. If you see a warning light, don't just dismiss it. Look it up and figure out what that warning light means and follow up with the dealership to see what they can tell you about that warning light.
7. Test the Heating & Cooling
Next, test out both the heater and the air conditioning, regardless of the outside temperatures. The heating and air conditioning are two different systems, so don't assume one system works because the other one does; test them both out.
When you test drive a car you are serious about; you need to pay attention to the details. Listen to how the car sounds and pay attention to how it feels. This will let you know if the car has any major maintenance issues or if it's worth the investment. Also, used cars have some miles logged. Thereofre, make sure you are okay with the wear those miles produced. Contact an auto dealer for more information regarding used cars.
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About Me
When I started shopping around for a car, I knew that I wanted something a little different. Unfortunately, I had no idea what to look for, which made things complicated. I visited several different dealerships, but it wasn't until I worked with the right salesperson that I found what I wanted. My salesperson showed me exciting new car models and talked with me about safety features, which really helped me to narrow down my choices. Check out this blog to learn more about finding the perfect car so that you don't have to worry about having buyer's remorse down the road.