It’s always fun to get behind the wheel and test drive a potential vehicle, especially if you’ve spent weeks or months planning for the type of vehicle you want to drive. Once you visit a dealership, you should ask questions about a model to learn more about its hardware and technology features. But when you’re finally behind the wheel, there are several factors you should consider on your own to make sure you’ve found the right vehicle.

Comfort

Think about it: You’ll spend hundreds of hours driving this car, so it should feel good being in the driver’s seat. What is your initial impression? Is the seat a good height? Can you make adjustments to improve your positioning if you need to? Is there enough legroom for everyone, including passengers in the backseat?

Make sure that a vehicle has all the amenities you’re looking for as well, like WiFi, smartphone compatibility, and a good center console with enough space for your phone, drinks, and anything you keep close by.

Steering and Handling

Pay close attention to the steering mechanics and ease of handling on the road. Do turns feel smooth and natural, or do you sometimes feel like there’s resistance or even stickiness to the wheel? A car should be easy to maneuver in different settings and speeds, so be sure to test how the vehicle responds under various scenarios. You may be limited to a location in a test drive, but you can still test how the car feels at varying speeds and whether its handling style feels right to you.

On a technical note, a resistant wheel or wheel that won’t turn fully is a sign a vehicle needs to be repaired, so steer clear of buying one that gives you difficulty.

Acceleration

Trouble accelerating or lagging may signal an issue with the engine. Avoid buying a vehicle that has an engine problem by testing how well it reaches higher speeds during the test drive. To do this, start by slowly pressing the accelerator to see how the car moves. It should smoothly speed up without jerking or stalling.

Next, check that you can maintain good driving speeds without any difficulty. Go from regular roadways to the highway and ensure the vehicle maintains the appropriate speed without any stalls or slipping gears.

It’s also helpful to test how the vehicle accelerates in different driving modes if the model you’re test driving has them.

Brake Response

The brakes are the most important safety feature of your new vehicle. When you test them, check for the initial feel. The brakes should feel firm, not loose or bouncy. The car should also stop smoothly without sudden jolts or unexpected halts.

It’s also important to test how the brakes work at varying speeds. Before you exit the vehicle, press down on the brakes for 30 seconds, and check if there is any brake fluid leaking from underneath.

These factors will help you find a vehicle that’s both comfortable and functional. Checking the brakes, acceleration, steering, and handling will help you avoid buying a car that needs repairs. Meanwhile, focusing on comfort will ensure that you find a vehicle you feel at home in on the road.

Published by: Nelly Chavez