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