What should you pay attention to when driving a used car?
- August 31, 2022
- 0
When buying a used car, it is not enough to break it through the databases and inspect the body and interior. A test drive is mandatory, because it
When buying a used car, it is not enough to break it through the databases and inspect the body and interior. A test drive is mandatory, because it is she who will help to reveal all the shortcomings of the car, which the seller prefers not to talk about. Or he doesn’t know. The AvtoVzglyad portal tells what surprises can “come out” with such a test drive.
At the outset, we note that any engine should operate quietly and smoothly, and should not hover at idle. When you press the accelerator pedal into neutral, the unit should gain momentum easily. And when resetting, there should be no external noise. If you feel any problems at this stage, the onward journey loses its meaning.
In motion, a usable motor picks up the load smoothly. The car drives without jerks and even minor jerks. “Automatic”, “robot” or variator should not be “sausage” either. Any shock is a sign of trouble. For an “automatic” it could be gear wear or a low oil level, for a “robot” it could be a mechatronic failure. And if the shocks are small, then the box has an old “firmware”, which for some reason the owner has not updated the service. Reason to demand a discount, because the new owner will have to “reflash” the transmission anyway.
During a test drive, it is advisable to drive over a speed bump. In many cars, a distinctive metallic knock can be heard in the front suspension. This makes felt stabilizer bushes. They are either worn out or, if the car is relatively new, the grease has gone out. Replacing bushings or lubricant is an inexpensive operation, but it has to be done anyway. And this is also an opportunity to check the chassis again for wear on individual elements, for example silent blocks. After all, it is through them that a “zhor” of rubber can begin, which cannot be determined immediately.
It is convenient to hang the car. We’re talking about hanging diagonally, where one of the wheels hangs in the air. Usually in this way the torsional rigidity of the body is checked. It is convenient to do this not only on crossovers and SUVs, but also on cars. The fact is that over the years not only the engine or suspension wears out, but also the welds of the body. Due to the large number of loading cycles, they lose strength and stiffness. In this case, the car should never have an accident. Add rust here on the seams and get the whole picture. Metal fatigue makes itself felt. The body “leads” and the doors or trunk no longer open. Such a car can no longer withstand a strong frontal or side impact in an accident. It is dangerous to overload it. So this is a reason to refuse to buy, or to demand a good discount.
Next you need to check the brakes and steering. Brake from 80 km/h to 20 km/h. If there are slight vibrations on the pedal, there are grooves or rust on the inner surfaces of the brake discs. Sooner or later they will have to change.
Also feel the steering wheel. Does the car respond well to the movement of the “steering wheel”? Are there any strange noises? On a straight road, take your hands off the steering wheel and watch the car take off. If he keeps a straight line, then the chassis is in good condition.
Photos from open sources
At the outset, we note that any engine should operate quietly and smoothly, and should not hover at idle. When you press the accelerator pedal into neutral, the unit should gain momentum easily. And when resetting, there should be no external noise. If you feel any problems at this stage, the onward journey loses its meaning.
In motion, a usable motor picks up the load smoothly. The car drives without jerks and even minor jerks. “Automatic”, “robot” or variator should not be “sausage” either. Any shock is a sign of trouble. For an “automatic” it could be gear wear or a low oil level, for a “robot” it could be a mechatronic failure. And if the shocks are small, then the box has an old “firmware”, which for some reason the owner has not updated the service. Reason to demand a discount, because the new owner will have to “reflash” the transmission anyway.
During a test drive, it is advisable to drive over a speed bump. In many cars, a distinctive metallic knock can be heard in the front suspension. This makes felt stabilizer bushings itself. They are either worn out or, if the car is relatively new, the grease has gone out. Replacing bushings or lubricant is an inexpensive operation, but it has to be done anyway. And this is also an opportunity to check the chassis again for wear on individual elements, for example silent blocks. After all, it is through them that a “zhor” of rubber can begin, which cannot be determined immediately.
It is convenient to hang the car. We’re talking about hanging diagonally, where one of the wheels hangs in the air. Usually in this way the torsional rigidity of the body is checked. It is convenient to do this not only on crossovers and SUVs, but also on cars. The fact is that over the years not only the engine or suspension wears out, but also the welds of the body. Due to the large number of loading cycles, they lose strength and stiffness. In this case, the car should never have an accident. Add rust here on the seams and get the whole picture. Metal fatigue makes itself felt. The body “leads” and the doors or trunk no longer open. Such a car can no longer withstand a strong frontal or side impact in an accident. It is dangerous to overload it. So this is a reason to refuse to buy, or to demand a good discount.
Next you need to check the brakes and steering. Brake from 80 km/h to 20 km/h. If there are slight vibrations on the pedal, there are grooves or rust on the inner surfaces of the brake discs. Sooner or later they will have to change.
Also feel the steering wheel. Does the car respond well to the movement of the “steering wheel”? Are there any strange noises? On a straight road, take your hands off the steering wheel and watch the car take off. If he keeps a straight line, then the chassis is in good condition.
Source: Avto Vzglyad
I’m Sandra Torres, a passionate journalist and content creator. My specialty lies in covering the latest gadgets, trends and tech news for Div Bracket. With over 5 years of experience as a professional writer, I have built up an impressive portfolio of published works that showcase my expertise in this field.
