Test Drive Tips of Buying a New Car
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Whether you're buying privately or from a dealer, make it a priority to take a test drive, long before you start talking money.
A test drive is vital – it's your way of making sure you're comfortable, that you'll enjoy driving the car and that it's right for your needs.
Franchised dealers may even be prepared to let you test drive a new car for an extended time. Don't be shy to ask. After all, you're about to spend thousands of pounds.
If you're buying a second–hand car, the test drive is even more important. It's your main opportunity to make sure everything's in good working order – unless you've arranged for an engineer to look over the car for you.
Car Insurance
Make sure you are insured to carry out the test drive. Dealers will have cover specifically for this purpose but there is a high risk that you might not be covered if you test drive a car being sold by a private vendor.
Check your own car insurance – you are looking for the words on the policy that says you can 'drive another car with the owner's permission'. This is known as DOC or Driving Other Cars cover. Not all insurers include this so it really is important to check. Also, you should be aware that such cover is usually third party only. You can also check with the vendor to see whether they have extended their cover temporarily to 'any driver' so that they are covered while you test drive their car.
Talk to your insurer if you are unsure. Also, for a small additional premium they may offer you comprehensive cover over a short period of time so that you can test drive cars you are thinking of buying.
Engine & Suspension
Make sure the engine's cold before you start – feel the bonnet. If the car's warm, the seller could be trying to hide a starting problem. Check for signs of excessive smoke when you start the car and when you're driving. The engine should be quiet and pull smoothly. Make sure there are no unusual rattles or clonks from the suspension.
Steering & Brakes
The steering should be responsive. You should feel no vibration or 'free play'. The brakes should give you confidence and should stop the car in a straight line.
Clutch & gears
Check you can get the car into all gears smoothly without crunching. If the clutch doesn't start biting until the pedal has nearly reached the top, the clutch could be worn and may need to be changed.
For more information on what to look for during and after the test drive, see our DIY inspection.
Take your time
It's vital to take your time on a test drive. Take at least half an hour, even if you feel the seller breathing down your neck. Remember: you're about to lay out a lot of cash on a car you'll spend a lot of time driving.
You should aim to test drive two or three cars to get a feel for what you like and what you don't.
Family
Take your children with you if they're going to travel with you regularly. It's better to hear their objections before you buy a car, rather than every time you take them out.
Seating
If a car has removable seats, ask if you can take them out to see how easy it is. Seats can be heavy and awkward to carry. If it takes two people to do it, you might not want to go ahead with the purchase.
If you use child seats take them with you and make sure they'll fit as not all seats will fit properly in all cars.
Make sure you can adjust the seat and/or the steering so you've got a comfortable driving position. If you suffer from back pain, this is particularly important – think about hiring the same model for an extended test drive to be sure.
The 8 commandments of motoring
2. Drive with consultation and overhaul as possible to arrange as fast. Good driving conditions requirements continuous planning and correct decisions, those in enterprise to be taken with consultation. It is not born a place for the halfhearted maneuvers doubts or uncertainty. It is not safe completely it should not be tried. To overhaul always the road should leave clearly for the approach at or after vehicles in a minimum at time too. Consultation uncertainty eliminates. If Safe, go!
3. And know the abilities of your vehicle develop car of senses. Car of senses is the ability, around the best from the vehicle without idiots or a vibration. Before strange vehicle will fast the driver should accustom itself on its controls, Beschleunigungs-und of delay values abilities and characteristics. Never more expect from them, than they are able, to give vehicles like drivers, have their borders. Drivers and vehicle must mixture, in order to guarantee, skillful driving.
4. Give correct signals. Employment at the horn and headlight thoughtfully. Use only the signals by the regulation permissible. Ambiguous signal is misleading and dangerous. The use horn is much neglected of some exaggerated a form of signaling and by others. It should as a person would aggressively use its voice, neither nor roughly. Flashing lights is an efficient form of signaling in the night and on fast roads. Give good signals to good time.
5. Concentrate the whole time, in order to avoid accidents. Concentration is the principal item of the good trip. It is a priority task, but often more neglect in. Complete concentration will ensure that each detail is considered. It is often the smallest detail, that the reference to happen what. If it misses, an accident, or at least an unpleasant experience, May result. Concentration helps observation.
6. Think before actively. The driver makes good progress, and with so few waiving apparent or efforts, so smooth those toward the Uneingeweihten appears he as reaction to situations automatically. Nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is that by the continuous concentration and thought, he has itself its trip to a fine art. Each danger and driving enterprise present problems represent, to be solved can by thinking. Fürsorgliche driver is valid the appropriate functions of the system, leads for each operation and maneuver in much time and therefore always is at the correct place to the correct time. Thinking and avoidance of accidents.
7. Practice and hold back, if necessary. Over back to follow a vehicle at a safe distance up to Straßen-und is traffic conditions permits it for outdated. This becomes request the submission of restraint above all, if in a rush. Overhauling or maneuver may be never tried, it is, it can with 100 per cent of security. Accidents are caused thereby because a situation became wrongly judged. If you have doubts, to wait.
8. Corner with security. Drive around the curve require the application of the principles for the curve technology and a thorough knowledge of the forces, those on the vehicle. The most frequent errors are the input too fast or acceleration before the Ausfah
Driving with a cell phone dials disaster
Monday, September 15, 2008
A study released in February 1997 by the New England Journal of Medicine might make you put some distance between yourself and drivers busy talking on their cell phones. University of Toronto researchers discovered: Cell phone users were four to five times more likely to have crashes than non-users. Cell phone units that allow the hands to be free offer no safety advantage over hand-held units. The main factor in most motor vehicle collisions is driver inattentiveness.
Severe Weather Driving Tips
Safe driving tips
Ultra Motor’s Light Electric Vehicle
Monday, September 8, 2008
On the heels of success in those to developing countries Ultra Motor’s Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) is coming to the U. S. and Europe this summer. The eco-friendly and economical urban transporter, the A2B Bicycle, goes for $2,200 and can reach a top speed of 20mph (32kph).
For what is worth, I can do that on a regular bicycle, but the question is for how long?
The bike comes with a tissue-box sized lithium battery that can be charged in a normal electric outlet just like you do with your laptop or mobile phone. Right now they’re working on rolling out a LEV Cities concept that includes the charging stations. Dock your bike, log in, pay for the electricity (with your card they say) and ride to work.
it seems better to me to have a bunch of electric bikes running around than the many other alternatives that aren’t working. And, if all these bikes had naked riders on them? That would be fun!
Some Specialised Training I Found
Monday, September 1, 2008
I found some fun, so share with u :
Specialised Training
- Protective / VIP Driving - including High Speed Evasive Driving
- Stunt Driver Training - Learn the basics of stunt driving safely
- Performance Car Coaching - If you want to get the most out of your special vehicle on a race track or just want to know how to drive safely in traffic, our team of driver trainers can spend some time with you and provide valuable information that will protect your investment and keep you safe.
- Race / Rally and Drift Driver Training - we have trained V8 Supercar and F3 drivers and would be pleased to assist you in becoming successful in this highly competitive field.