Test Driving Tips

By: Gregory Ashton

Are you thinking of getting a used car? Are you searching for
tips on what to check and look for when considering buying a
car? It is of utmost importance to have a thorough knowledge of
the car that you are going to acquire. This will ensure your
enjoyment and contentment for the years to come using your car.

The proper mind set

First of all, you must keep in mind that test driving a car is
not a simple procedure. It will determine the claimed
performance of the car you want by the dealer and contrast it
with the performance in real conditions. This is the time
wherein you can see if the car that you have always wanted
measures up with your ideals and standards.

Prepare a checklist of criteria

It is important to make a checklist of criteria by which you
will be able to judge a car's performance without having any
problems regarding objectivity. It will help you see the car's
advantages and disadvantages without the influence of other
factors that are not as important. This will also enable you to
conduct the test drive faster since you already have a set list
of the things that you are looking for in a car.

Explore other weather conditions

You should consider test driving a car in inclement weather
conditions to have a better feel of the car's overall
performance regardless of the type of weather it will be used
in. It is good to know the car's feel when driving in rainy
conditions or at night. If the dealer requires that a
representative accompany you on the test drive, let the person
know what you are planning to do and what route you will be
taking.

Drive in different kinds of terrain

When test driving a car, outline a route that will take you to
different kinds of terrain like bumpy roads and steep hills.
When checking a car's turning capabilities and braking power,
consider doing it in a side street that has very little traffic.
If you are going to evaluate the car's acceleration and speed,
then taking it to the open highway or the interstate is a good
idea. You should also do a lot of driving on the types of roads
that you encounter in everyday driving like your route from work
going to your house or vice-versa.

Inside the car

When you are inside the car and behind the wheel, some of the
things that you should check are the following:

Look to see if the gauges are working properly and are easy to
read. Make certain you can easily see beyond the steering wheel
and it does not in any way obstruct your view.

On the dashboard

After checking the gauges and steering wheel, the next thing to
look at is the dashboard. Check that all the dashboard controls
are within easy reach and you do not need to significantly move
out of a comfortable driving position. Search for any extensions
on the dashboard that may potentially cause injury to the driver
or passenger during sudden stops or when surging forward.

Visibility

Check that windshield wipers are working properly. Use the
squirting mechanism that applies the wiper fluid onto the
windshield and find areas that may not be reached by it. This is
critical since it may affect your night time driving and when
driving during bad weather conditions. Does the car have a tint?
If the tint is too thick, it will impair night visibility and
cause you to have a hard time driving at night. There are also
laws that prevent the windshield from being tinted. Check the
rules and regulations in your state to determine if that applies.

On the road

While driving, check for blind spots by looking closely at the
side mirrors as well as the rear view mirror. Evaluate the
performance of the car's suspension by checking if it offers a
comfortable ride and you feel that you are in control at all
times. Look for a parking lot without too much vehicles and
conduct a few sharp turns as well as a U-turn. Does the
suspension work well or does the car wobble too much?

Steering performance

Observe that the car has a responsive steering mechanism. A
little turn of the steering wheel should be enough for the car
to respond efficiently. The steering should be balanced enough
so as to have enough power for easy steering and at the same
time it should correctly render the feel of the road to the
driver.

These are some of the things to consider when taking a car for a
road test. Remember to put a car's performance first in your
priority before its other aspects.

About the author:
Gregory Ashton, your resident automobile enthusiast, bringing to
you over 20 years of vehicular passion, and expertise; presents
for your approval his insider secrets on selecting, buying, and
maintianing the car that is ideal for you.
http://www.best-car-buying-tips.com