How To Test Drive A Car

If you are in the market for a new vehicle, knowing how to test drive a car can make a difference in the type of vehicle you end up buying. You should always test drive a car before you buy it, to see how the vehicle handles, and to find out if you are comfortable behind the wheel. When you are out driving the car, do not let a salesman distract you during the test drive. Give the car a good workout, and then start to negotiate the purchase if you are satisfied with the test drive.

1. Once you are on a car dealer’s lot, find the car you want to test drive. A salesman will usually go with you when you test drive a car, so they can get an idea of how you like it. If you are not familiar with the area, have the salesman suggest a route to take during your test drive.
2. Once you start your test drive, take the car out on the highway. Do not just take the car around town, get out on the highway to see how it accelerates and handles. Ask the salesman for directions if you do not know how to get to the highway. Once you are traveling in a crowd on the highway, be careful switching lanes and stay well behind any other vehicles, since you do not yet know how well the car handles.
3. Do not be afraid to push the car during your test drive. While you do not want to go over the speed limit, when you test drive a car you certainly can accelerate the vehicle faster than you normally would. See if the car switches gears smoothly, and how it handles when you make turns. Check out the instrumentation to see how visible it is, and if it is easy to access.
4. Look under the hood after you test drive a car. See if the engine looks like it is in good condition, and look for any areas of concern such as battery corrosion, or signs that the engine has had substantial work done to it. If you are uncomfortable with the car after the test drive, let the salesman know your concerns, or simply move on to another vehicle.