A test drive can be a confusing moment, as the driver has to make an important decision about purchasing a vehicle. There are many issues to consider at the same time, but how to make an objective, balanced choice so as not to regret it?
Although the choice of any car begins with its visual evaluation, the experts of the car dealer “Moller Auto” have compiled several practical recommendations that will help you not to get confused during the test drive and make a final decision.
When going on a test drive, “you can’t judge a man by his hat alone”
Undeniably, the first impression of a car comes when you see it, judging the color, body design, but often forgetting that the visual appearance of the car will not be the one that will solve the practical side of the driver’s daily needs.
Sometimes the color of the interior or the capacity of the trunk can be decisive aspects. In other words, even though the outside of the car may meet the buyer’s taste, the interior of the car, its capacity, the parts integrated into it and their compliance with individual daily needs must also be studied. One of the quality indicators for the car interior is the carpets, that is, if they do not fit the curve of the interior and have a bad smell, they are definitely not the original carpets of the manufacturer, but a cheap aftermarket. During the test drive, it is definitely worth checking, for example, the comfort and adjustability of the driver’s seat, the suitability and comfort of the control panel, the adjustability of the steering wheel and mirrors, etc. Even the operation of the climate control should be checked, observing how quickly it heats or cools the air in the car. It is also important to honestly answer the question, will you be able to maintain a light-colored salon in the long term?
Attention should also be paid to inspecting the trunk, for example, evaluating whether the trunk needs an automatic and so-called hands-free opening system, which is especially popular with families with children. If you need a spacious luggage compartment on a daily basis, experts recommend that you also check it by taking child seats, strollers, skis and other items that you plan to transport on a test drive to make sure that there will be enough space for all needs.
Experts say that the truth is very often hidden in the details, especially when it comes to buying a used car, so it is important to pay attention to the car’s plastic parts and their quality. The quality of assembly of the parts will tell about the condition of the car, for example, how accurately the car parts are assembled, whether the distances between them are the same and whether their lines are smooth, etc. One of the ways to check the quality of car parts and their assembly is to simply check the stability of the armrest by moving it from right to left. If it moves out of place even a little, it is likely that other parts of the car will also be mounted poorly.
The car’s capabilities and steering control should be verified on roads with different surfaces and turns
According to experts, a trip around the block or right near the dealer’s location is not a full-fledged test drive. To be sure of the car’s capabilities, it is best to plan a test drive on roads with different surfaces, including asphalted highways as well as roads covered with, for example, crushed stone, pavement, etc.
Also, driving, which includes roads with several turns, roundabouts, hills, etc., will help to evaluate the car’s controllability, steering and maneuverability. Although it seems that such a varied route should be taken when buying a slightly used car, whose capabilities require more confidence, you should not avoid doing it during test drives with a new car. In this sense, a car is the same as buying a house – the more you research it and the more carefully you make sure that it really meets all your daily needs, the more likely it is that you won’t think twice about buying a particular vehicle.
It is true that even though during a test drive there is a great desire to test the car’s capabilities while driving at high speed, one cannot forget that any trip with a car does not cancel the observance of road traffic rules and safety measures on the road.
Always use the full range of driver assistance systems
Today, both new and slightly used cars are equipped with various driver assistance systems. The most classic of them are, for example, navigation, cruise control, sensors that facilitate parking, etc. Meanwhile, more modern models will have systems that allow the car to park autonomously, keep the car on the road lines, recognize road signs and control the car’s speed according to them, brake automatically or detect objects in the blind spot, etc.
According to Moller Auto experts, before going on a test drive, it is important to find out in advance what systems the desired vehicle is equipped with, because it will also help to plan in time which systems to use in different stages of the test drive. Information on how to turn these systems on and off in the car will also be useful. Chaotic testing of various car functions on the road will not give you a full picture of their capabilities, and will also make the drive itself unpleasant. The more prepared the driver is, the more harmonious and useful the test drive will be.
Special attention should be paid to the gearbox, acceleration and operation of the braking system
As you know, every car has its own characteristics, but the driver can feel them only when he starts driving this car. For those who still prefer cars with a mechanical gearbox, you should definitely pay attention to the operation of the clutch pedal and how easily and precisely it is possible to change gears. After all, even an experienced driver will feel uncomfortable in his car in the long run if he can’t get used to the clutch pedal of the particular car and regularly makes mistakes when shifting gears.
Acceleration determines how long it takes the car to reach a speed of 100 km/h from 0 km/h. Although the difference in how quickly one car model accelerates or the other may only be a few seconds, a driver who was previously used to an acceleration speed of 11 seconds will definitely feel the difference when the new car can accelerate it in 7 seconds. Therefore, during the test drive, experts recommend asking yourself whether the desired car is “too slow” or, on the contrary, “too fast” for your personal driving skills. In this regard, it must be remembered that safety is always a priority.
Effective brakes are the most important aspect of car safety. However, they are also slightly different for each car, and it is precisely the differences that we are able to determine only at the level of feelings. When going on a test drive, the driver must answer for himself whether, when the car brakes, he feels confident about the operation of the braking system; is the car able to brake quickly; does the brake pedal seem easy to press, etc. This will give additional confidence in your safety and that of your passengers, if in the end the choice is in favor of buying a particular car.
Parking the car will also allow you to feel the dimensions
You can definitely “feel” the dimensions of the car when driving on narrow roads, especially if there are other cars parked on the side of the road. If you are planning to buy a car that is very different in terms of dimensions from the previous vehicle, you should be very sure of your adaptability. This is especially true for drivers who plan to upgrade from a smaller vehicle to a larger one. It is not for nothing that “Moller Auto” experts recommend during test drives not only to drive through narrow streets, but also to park the car in a parking lot, thinking about whether a large car will not be a hasty choice after all. Meanwhile, someone will come to the opposite conclusion.
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2023-10-15 06:49:02
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