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Used Cars Test Drive |
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Get Behind the Wheel:
And now it's time for what could possibly be the most important part of your
personal used car inspection—the test drive. Test drives are essential for a
variety of reasons but most importantly, they provide you with an immediate
analysis of the car's functionality, drive-ability and overall presence on the
road. Before you begin the test drive process: Make sure the radio and the
heating or air conditioning fans are in the off position so you can hear the
engine as clearly as possible Spend some real time on your test drive; don't
just drive the car around the block Be sure your test drive includes hills,
surface streets, parking spaces and highways so you can make the best
assessment possible about the car's overall functionality. Pay attention to the
following areas in particular:
Acceleration:
Does the car move immediately or does it hesitate or jerk in any way? Be sure
to press easy and hard on the accelerator. The car should accelerate smoothly
either way. If it surges, jerks forward or makes any unusual loud noises when
you step on the accelerator, this could be a sign of an engine problem.
Alignment:
Accelerate the vehicle to about 30 kilometer per hour and then take your hands
off the wheel for just a few seconds. The car should continue in a straight
line if you're driving over a relatively smooth surface. If the vehicle pulls
in either direction after you remove your hands from the wheel, it may very
well have an alignment, tire or steering linkage problem.
Braking:
Turn off the engine and pump the brake pedal, then, with your foot on the
pedal, turn the car back on. If the car has power brakes, the pedal should sink
a little when the engine starts. Now, push the brake pedal down hard for a
minute and if it sinks even further, the car may need a costly brake master
cylinder. Another test you might want to try is to accelerate to about 25 - 30
kilometer per hour (as always, proceed safely). Step hard on the brake pedal to
see if the car stops rapidly, smoothly and in a straight line. If the vehicle
swerves to the right or left or if there's a lot of play in the brake (if it
feels soft or you have to push it down halfway in order for the vehicle to
respond), this could indicate a problem with the drums or rotors, another
costly expense.
Steering:
A vehicle should respond relatively quickly to a turn of the steering wheel. If
you have to turn the steering wheel more than a few inches to get the car to
respond in that direction, there could be fundamental problems with the car's
steering components. The best test is to find a wide-open area with no people
or vehicles around and put the car through a series of turn tests, including
tight figure eights. The car should respond easily to whichever direction you
turn the wheel. If it doesn't, there could be a variety of problems with the
car, including front suspension issues.
Handling:
A vehicle's overall handling is as important as its mechanical soundness. When
you drive, does the vehicle pull to one side or the other, does it rattle or
squeak, does it ping or knock when you accelerate to freeway speed or is it
difficult to steer? These are just some of the handling characteristics you
need to observe closely. A car should handle smoothly and easily in virtually
every driving environment. Whether you're making sharp turns, accelerating
rapidly to merge with freeway traffic, driving slowly along crowded city
streets or braking suddenly to avoid a collision, your car should respond
quickly, smoothly and easily to whatever driving conditions it's exposed to. Be
sure to listen to and feel the car during your test drive. Prior to owning the
car yourself, this is the only opportunity you'll get to test its handling in a
variety of driving situations.
Suspension:
If possible, during the test drive, maneuver the car over a rough road to check
the suspension. The car shouldn't sway, lurch or pull to one side during this
test. Additionally, you shouldn't hear loud noises, rattles or squeaks at this
time. If you do, there might very well be a suspension problem.
Four Wheel Drive:
If you're test-driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure to engage and
disengage the system to make sure it's working properly. With manual
four-wheel-drive vehicles, engage the front hubs and transfer case. With
automatic systems, simply bring the car to a complete stop and engage the
system by moving the lever into the four-wheel-drive position from inside the
vehicle. Once engaged, slowly drive the vehicle in a tight circle. If the
system is working properly, the front tires should hop as you drive.
Transmission:
Finally, bring the car to a complete stop. Put the car in park and then shift
into drive. The transmission should shift seamlessly with no jerking or popping
as you make the transition. Be sure to shift into all gears several times to
ensure the transmission transitions seamlessly between gears. If the vehicle
has a standard transmission, put your foot on the brake pedal and shift into
reverse. Beware of knocking, grinding or clunking sounds as they could indicate
a serious problem with the transmission components.
Vehicle History:
Lastly, be sure to complete your inspection process by soliciting the services
of a certified technician who can thoroughly check the vehicle to pinpoint
existing as well as potential mechanical problems. Buying a car, regardless of
whether it's a new or used vehicle, is one of the largest purchases you'll ever
make. Avoid the pitfalls of impulse buying by being honest with yourself during
the personal inspection process. If the thought of buying this vehicle makes
you uncomfortable, walk away. At the end of the day, you need to feel good
about the purchase you've made by buying a used car you enjoy driving while
avoiding a lemon in the process. |
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