|
|
Ten
ways to check a used car
|
| |
Look for
misaligned body panels or mismatched paint, which can indicate that the
car has been in an accident. Check outdoors when the light is good.
|
| |
Check for
rust on and under the doors, under the carpeting, around the the wheel openings,
and inside the trunk. Rust is expensive to fix-and if it has spread too
far, it can be impossible to fix permanently.
|
| |
Check for
rain leaks around the glass, stains on upholstery and carpeting, and moldy
smell. A leak can be hard to trace.
|
| |
Check for
drips under the car. Whether it's engine oil, gasoline, Transmission fluid,
brake fluid, or engine coolant, repairs could be expensive.
|
| |
Try all
the controls, and check the displays. Make sure all the lights are working.
|
| |
 When
the ignition is turned on, make
sure the "check engine" light comes
on while the computer conducts the bulb check on the dash panel.
If the light doesn't come on, it could mean that the bulb was removed to
conceal a problem with engine emissions.
|
| |
Drive on a level road. The car should track straight, without constant steering
correction. Pulling to one side could mean front-end misalignment-a minor
problem-or a frame that's badly twisted from a crash.
|
| |
On a quiet
street with no traffic nearby, step smartly on the brakes. The car should
stop without pulling to either side.
|
| |
With the
engine idling, pull the dipstick from the automatic transmission and check
that the fluid is cherry red, the sign of a healthy transmission. There
should be no burned smell or bubbles on the stick. The transmission should
shift smoothly and distinctly from gear to gear, without clunking or hesitating.
A manual transmission shouldn't grind when you shift, and the clutch should
engage smoothly, without slipping or grabbing.
|
| |
Acceleration
should be smooth. With the transmission in low gear, accelerate to about
15 mph. Then release the accelerator, let the speed drop to about 5 mph,
and floor accelerator. A cloud of blue smoke from the tailpipe is a sign
of an engine that burns oil. A cloud of white smoke may also indicate a
serious engine problem. (Wisps of white smoke on a cold, damp day for just
a few minutes after the engine is started are nothing to worry about.) |
TOP
| BACK
|
