When you’re thinking about buying a new vehicle, it’s a good idea to do a little test driving beforehand. Whether you’ve never owned a vehicle or this is just another one of many for you, there are some things you should keep in mind while you’re out driving around in a potential new car. This list of several things you should consider during your next test drive will help you make the best decision possible.
1. Drive on the Highway
It’s important that the car you’re thinking of buying gets up to speed comfortably. Taking it on the highway, where you can drive it up to at least 55 mph or more, will allow you to feel how it accelerates. If it struggles or feels sluggish, then it might not be the car for you. On the other hand, if it has good power, but doesn’t allow you to change lanes smoothly, it could be a sign of a steering issue. Changing lanes a few times will help you test this, as well as check your blind spots.
2. Stop and Go Traffic
Also, it’s a good idea to test drive the car through the city, where you’ll feel how it stops and starts. See how the vehicle feels when you’re idling at a stop light or stop sign. Get a feel for how it starts again once you get going. It will let you know how quickly the brakes react when you apply pressure and how the engine feels when you press on the gas.
3. Pay Attention to the Fuel Gauge
The gas mileage you can expect varies from car to car. However, paying attention to the fuel gauge during your next test drive will give you a good indication of what to expect if you purchase the vehicle. Obviously, if you are test driving an SUV, the mileage will be different than a sedan, but you want it to be within a reasonable range for the particular vehicle you’re driving.
4. Bring a Friend
If you know someone that really knows their stuff when it comes to cars, don’t be afraid to ask them to come along on your test drive. It never hurts to get a second opinion, especially if that opinion is more knowledgeable than yourself. They can help you listen for knocks or clicks that shouldn’t be there. It’s also helpful to have a friend in the passenger seat so that they can tell you how their experience riding along is.
5. Look It Over
You can look the car over either before or after your test drive. This is when you want to look for any dings or scratches in the paint job. Open the hood and have a look at the engine. You should do this both with it running and with the engine off. Take a look around the inside as well. Check all the seats for tears, look closely at the dashboard, turn the air conditioning and heating on, listen to the radio.
Taking a car for a test drive before you take it off the lot is always a good idea. Use this list to make sure you’re getting a great vehicle and go for your next test drive prepared. Browse our inventory at Tom O’Brien Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram – Indianapolis and schedule your next test drive today!
Image via jeep.com
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