Things You Should Do When Going For A Test Drive

Buying a car can be expensive no matter how you spin it. But what’s more costly is purchasing one that isn’t actually worth the money you spent! So here are some tips for you to make the most well-informed decision when you’re about to go for a test drive.

Do Your Research

When you go to a car dealer, you’d find that you gravitate towards the kinds of cars that you already like. So before you even go there and look into every information you can get about that specific model. If you can find a guide on the dealers website or brands website that you like that would be great. Those guides usually has all the current models and their specs. The car manufacturers provide all the details so you can have peace of mind that you are actually getting factual data. Some dealers even have a form that you can fill out after reading the guide where you can request a test drive on the car that you’ve picked.

If you’re having a hard time choosing between a couple of vehicles, try to compare their specs sheet side by side so you can have a better look at which is better based on your needs in a car.

Familiarize Yourself With The Car

It’s easy to be blinded with desire once your dream car is right in front of you. Besides, you've probably have researched it a million times online and have seen every possible photos or videos so you think you already know everything there is to know about it. However, the image that you have in your head isn’t always how things are in real life. So you really have to be critical and make sure you've got everything covered by inspecting the exterior and interior thoroughly.

Check features that might affect your daily drive like misplaced cup holders, hard-to-operate buttons, inadequate trunk space, and ease of entry and exit for the driver, front, rear, and 3rd row passengers (applicable). Some models also feature folding 2nd and 3rd row seats to maximize cargo capacity, which is an added bonus. For pickup trucks, make sure to check if the rear bed has the size that you’re looking for. Some dealerships also offer bed liners that protect the payload. The fit and finish of the whole interior is also something that you should be looking at. See if the panel gaps are even and take note of any irregularity. However, take note that the quality of materials greatly depends on the vehicle’s SRP.

Feel The Drive And Make A Mental Note Of What You've Noticed

Once you’re about to give the car a test drive, don’t assume you’re done scrutinizing. This is just actually the time you need to really focus on how it feels while driving it because that’s where the make or break happens. Although test drive are often done within the showroom, ask and see if they can allow you to drive the car further.

Now don’t be too excited and drive right away. Sit and check things that you can while you’re at the driver seat. Are the gauges legible? Can you easily adjust the seat to your comfort? Does it fit well to into the cabin? Can you effortlessly check the side mirrors and see all corners of the vehicle? Since you’ll be the one driving, see if you have no problem reaching the steering wheel and pedals. If you do, are the both adjustable? Remember that these two are what allows you to safely and comfortably maneuver the automobile so they should feel just right for you.

Now onto the performance. What you've learned in your research based on the manufacturer’s claims should match well while you’re driving it. See if it can actually produce as much power as it says on its specs sheet. Try to accelerate and decelerate and see if the brake pedals is as responsive as if your life depends on it. Now just because it’s a test drive doesn't mean you can’t try different kinds of parking. If it comes with park assist system then check how accurate it is. Test the knobs, use the signal lights, toggle the headlamps, and try everything that you see on the dashboard. Ask questions if needed.

Let’s go to the comfort factor. Is the air conditioning and head unit working as it should? Does it cool the car down easily and adjusts to extreme outdoor heat? If you can, take someone with you so you can verify how the ventilation feels at the rear seats. How about the head unit, can you operate it while driving without distraction? Do you find it easy to figure out the unit’s interface? If you’re someone who like music while driving, then check that too. Does your music player or phone connects well to the stereo? Try and check everything that you know you’ll be needing and using while driving if it becomes your car because that way you’ll be able to kind of see how the experience will be on a regular basis. The car maybe brand new but if things feel off right off the bat don’t disregard it otherwise you might visit the car servicing shop sooner than you should be.

Reflect On The Experience

Assuming you did those checks, then make sure you’ve made a mental note on them. Because after test driving it you have to rely on that initial driving experience and see if the car fits your needs and preferences. Don’t feel like you have to make a decision right away. A car is not a cheap purchase so take your time weighing its pros and cons. Go ahead and list them down if you have to. Just remember that no matter how high-end the cars you’ve tried driving, they’ll have features they will come short to your requirements. That’s where you compromise and go for the one that you can live with for a long time.

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Things You Should Know About Engine Coolant

Things You Should Know About Engine Coolant

Your car runs on six types of fluid that does different jobs in order to keep your car in good running condition. But like any fluid, they’re not permanently there as they need to be topped up and replaced every now and then because otherwise they will deteriorate and have opposite effect to your car.

One of those fluids is the coolant which allows your engine to maintain safe temperature while running. So you can’t deny how important this fluid is for your car. Learn more about engine coolant and keep your car and your wallet free from avoidable car repair expenses.

When To Check On Your Coolant

If you follow your preventive maintenance service schedule, then you’re most likely up to date when it comes to your coolant checkup. But you should also take your driving distance every time you drive into consideration. So to be safe, it’s best to do it once every two weeks.

That may sound too often since coolants typically lasts longer than that, but you’d be wise to check still to see if there’s a leak. This is often the reason why your car overheat and your fuel economy gets affected if you run on little to no coolant too.

When To Change Your Coolant

So now you know how often you should be checking your coolant, you’re probably wondering how to figure out if it’s time to change your coolant. Well, if you have a modern car, it is usually advised to flush it out every 10 years or 160, 000 km. Check your user manual to confirm it because it may still depend on the vehicle you drive, the brand or type of coolant you use, and the distance you cover over a period of time. It’s important that you adhere to the suggested coolant change interval as it may cause your car to overheat at a maximum level if you don’t.

What Happens When You Miss Changing It

Coolant becomes acidic when left in the engine for a very long time. When your coolant becomes acidic, it would no longer keep rust from attacking your engine. Rust on the insides of your engine spells out disaster, as you could face more expensive services just to save your engine from dying—for good. However, it isn’t just your engine that’s at stake. Coolant also keeps your radiators from corrosion so you’re also putting the components of your cooling system at risk.

Signs That You Need To Change Your Coolant

For whatever reason that you fail to change your coolant or haven’t checked on it for a while, you may start noticing problems in your car. Pay attention to these signs to hopefully get it fixed right away and reverse the damage early on.

Your Car Overheats Quickly

Your car’s cooling system is what’s keeping it from overheating. So when the cooling system’s running condition becomes less ideal due to leaks then your car run the risk of overheating. This is why it’s always advised to fix even the smallest leak as soon as possible in order to avoid overheating and possibly an expensive car repair.

There’s Leak On The Floor

The coolant, as the name suggests, helps the radiator to cool down.  However, when there’s a leak or crack in the radiator, you’ll see coolant leak on the floor underneath your car, since the coolant flows through the radiator.

You Can Smell A Sweet Scent While Your Car Is Running

While it may smell nice, this could actually mean engine coolant is leaking from a component related to car’s cooling system. Just remember not to touch the radiator cup when it’s hot in attempt to check what’s wrong.

Coolant Level Depletes

If the level is below the minimum line, top it up to the maximum line and monitor on a daily basis. If you have to top up the coolant reservoir each time it is checked, this could indicate a leak. If it seems that you vehicle is always low on coolant then it’s reasonable to suspect that your radiator have gone bad or at least failing.

Think car maintenance and car servicing are an unnecessary expenditure? Think again! Because by keeping your car in good running condition means not needing to buy a new ride after every couple of years, not spending money on major car repairs due to malfunction, and more importantly avoiding hospital and damage expenses in case of an accident because of malfunction too.

The more you keep its maintenance up-to-date the more your car’s condition is restored therefore prolonging its lifespan. With that, you’ll be able to enjoy your car longer than it would if you just let minor damages turn into unrepairable ones due to neglect.

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 Yourself Before Going On A Road Trip