Deals On Wheels of Great Falls believes a test drive is one of the most essential steps in determining whether to purchase a used vehicle. You can tell a lot about a used car during a test drive.

BEFORE THE TEST DRIVE

Test Driving vehicle in a car dealership in great falls, Montana

begins the moment you sit in the vehicle and become familiar with the features.

Before starting the used car, turn the key or set the ignition or start button to the accessory position, the last position before the engine starts. All the dash warning lights, including the check engine light, should illuminate. If they do not, there may be a problem. It could be as minor as a burned-out bulb or as severe as someone has tampered with the display to disguise a problem.

Upon starting the engine, listen for any noises such as tapping, ticking, knocking, squealing, or other unusual noises. After securing your seatbelt, inspect the instrument panel to see if any warning lights stay on while the engine is running. This is also an excellent time to see if the gauges are working, honk the horn, and quickly familiarize yourself with the accessories.

Turn on the heater and air-conditioning blower fan and test it at all speeds. Test the modes to ensure air blows where it is supposed to and at an acceptable noise level. Turn the windshield wipers on, including the rear if equipped, and test them at every speed while spraying washer fluid on the glass. Ensure the wiper blades clean the glass and do not chatter, streak, or miss sections of the windshield while wiping.

Before shifting the vehicle into gear:

1. Turn the steering wheel from side to side and listen for unusual noises.

2. Make sure the steering does not bind or stick.

3. Pump the brake pedal a few times, then press hard with your foot. The brake pedal should be firm, not soft or spongy.

If the pedal slowly sinks to the floor, there may be a leak in the brake system, or the master cylinder or brake booster may be faulty.

Apply the parking brake and carefully shift the vehicle into gear. The parking brake should keep the car moving, and the parking brake engagement light on the dash should come on. Ensure your foot is on the brake pedal and release the parking brake. With your foot firmly on the brake, shift from drive to reverse and vice versa. Clunking noises when shifting into gears could indicate worn or broken engine or transmission mounts, a bad universal (U) joint, a faulty constant velocity (CV) joint, or differential wear.

THE DRIVE

Now you are ready to drive the vehicle from the used car dealerships Great Falls MT. When the used car has an automatic transmission, the transmission should engage immediately and, as you go, should shift through each gear smoothly, firmly, and quickly. If the vehicle is a manual transmission, there should be no grinding or groaning sound from the transmission when you select gears. The clutch engagement should be reasonable and reasonable.

As the test drive begins, ensure the steering wheel is centered when driving straight. The steering wheel should not shake or vibrate while driving at any speed. Vibration in the steering wheel while driving can mean anything from an unbalanced tire to a loose steering component. If the steering wheel shakes or you feel a rhythmic pulsation in the brake pedal while braking, this could indicate warped brake rotors or a sticking brake caliper. Vehicles with antilock brakes (ABS) will have a slight pulsating action in the pedal when the brake is applied with great force or while driving over slippery surfaces. Pulsating under such conditions is a normal function of an ABS system.

With your hands loosely on the wheel, you can determine if the vehicle pulls to the left or right when braking. The car should never pull to the left. When safe, take your hands off the wheel while driving on a flat surface to determine if the vehicle pulls in one direction when the brake has not been applied. Do this a couple of times on different flat road surfaces. This test could indicate potential front-end alignment or tire issues.

Drive the vehicle on a bumpy or uneven road. If you cannot do so, a parking lot with speed bumps should work just fine. Pay attention to how the vehicle responds while driving over the bumps. Listen for any rattles in the car and strange noises from the suspension.

Unless you're evaluating the sound system, leave it off during the test drive. If running the heater or air conditioner, turn those systems off after testing them, but leave the windows up. This will allow you to hear how the vehicle operates. Though it may be difficult even for some seasoned technicians, do your best to separate normal noises from those that may indicate a problem with the vehicle.

Continue to use all your senses throughout the test drive. If the vehicle is four-wheel drive, make sure it works. Test the heater and air conditioning systems while you are driving. How does the vehicle sound and feel when you accelerate, turn, or brake? Are there any unexplained noises when you accelerate or decelerate? How does it feel at higher speeds and lower speeds? While driving, keep an eye on the instrument panel to identify any gauges that aren't operating correctly or any warning lights that come on. Things you feel in your seat are often associated with the vehicle's rear end. In contrast, something you feel with your fingers on the steering wheel tends to come from the front suspension, steering, engine, brakes, or tires.

CONCLUSION

A thorough inspection should always include a test drive. Most buyers know a test drive is crucial in finding the best Great Falls mt used vehicle. Still, only some know how to perform an examination that will separate the good from the mediocre. Your best bet is to have a trusted, impartial ASE-certified technician perform a test drive as part of a thorough used vehicle evaluation. This will give you the best chance of separating clunkers from keepers and will help you find a safe, comfortable, and reliable used vehicle to purchase.