| These simple checks when carried out can save | | | | steady rhythm. Also, look out for wisps of |
| you a lot of hassles further down the road. | | | | blue smoke, both while the engine is idling |
| | | | and when it is raced. Black smoke is a sign |
| Stand ten to fifteen feet away from the car | | | | that the gas is of too rich a mix. This fault |
| in a good light. Watch to see whether the | | | | can usually be corrected by a simple |
| light catches any bumps or dents in the | | | | adjustment of the carburetor. |
| surface. Such irregularities very often mean | | | | |
| that the car has been in a major accident. | | | | When you test drive the car, turn a few |
| Look too for weld marks in the frame of the | | | | corners sharply. The steering wheel should |
| car, or have a mechanic check for them. These | | | | work smoothly, without squeaks, groans, or |
| condition show that the car has been in a bad | | | | shimmying. Make sure you test-drive the car |
| accident, and are good grounds for rejecting | | | | over a rough, potholed road. If there are any |
| it without further examination. | | | | defects in the body and suspension, this test |
| | | | will show them up. |
| Try to find corrosion at the bottom of | | | | |
| fenders, around the head and taillights, and | | | | To test the brakes, first press the pedal |
| along the bottom of door and body. Small | | | | down while the car is immobile. If the pedal |
| blisters in the paint are sure signs of rust | | | | goes almost to the floor, this means the car |
| underneath. You should refuse at once any car | | | | probably needs new brake shoes. When you are |
| that is too rusted. | | | | test driving, accelerate to about 40 mph and |
| | | | brake suddenly. Squealing or pulling brakes |
| Check to see that the wheels are straight | | | | may mean a minor problem, but sudden swerving |
| first when the car is standing still, then | | | | or grabbing are always warnings that serious |
| when it is driven directly away from you. If | | | | repairs will be needed. The emerging brake on |
| you find the wheels are headed in slightly | | | | the car should be checked by halting on a |
| different directions, pass up the car | | | | steep hill. If the brake fails to hold, this |
| immediately. | | | | may mean only minor adjustment but it could |
| | | | also indicate major trouble. |
| Let the car's engine warm up for at least 15 | | | | |
| minutes. Then pull up the oil dipstick. If | | | | Check the car's engine by accelerating |
| the oil looks white, or is filled with white | | | | suddenly from about 20 to 60 mph. This may be |
| bubbles, this probably means the car's | | | | a strain on the engine, but even so it should |
| cooling system is leaking into the engine | | | | not buck, hesitate, or miss. Another good |
| block; and this means a serious problem. | | | | engine test is to accelerate from slow to |
| | | | moderate speed while driving up a steep hill. |
| Check the exhaust by holding a matchbook | | | | The engine should pull easily. |
| cover over the tail pipe. It should flap in a | | | | |