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