Archive for June 10th, 2009
Test Driving Your Car – part 1
Most of us know it’s a good idea to insist on test driving any car before buying. But what’s the right way to test drive a car and for what should you be looking? You should first plan on spending as long as possible on your test drive. This will give you a chance to thoroughly examine the car and even have a mechanic check it out.
In addition to a mechanical inspection, you should:
Take a look. Make sure the body parts line up, the paint matches, doors open and close easily, and the tires show even wear.
Lift the Hood. Check under the hood for leaky hoses, worn belts, and dirty oil. Automatic transmission fluid should be clear and reddish, and not smell burned. Radiator water should have a light yellow or green color.
Take a seat. Turn the ignition key to accessory and make sure all of the warning lights and gauges work. Start the car and check all lights and accessories and make sure no warning lights remain lit on the dashboard. Pay close attention to the airbag indicator lights. If these lights fail to illuminate as you start the car, or stay lit after the car is running, it is a warning that the car’s airbags are not functioning correctly.
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