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When you start
the engine, LISTEN for knocks or pings.
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When you start up
the car , LOOK at the color of the smoke. With any car expect to see some
smoke coming out of the exhaust until the engine warms up. If the smoke
continues when you hit the gas it could mean a problem depending on the
color:
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Black smoke means
carbon deposits have built up from stop and go driving. This isn't a serious
problem.
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Blue smoke means
there is a troubling oil problem. Pass on the car.
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White smoke means
a new pope has been elected or you have a transmission problem. Expensive
to repair. Run far away before it blows.
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Drive for at least
10 miles. Test the steering and brakes gently.
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Check that all gauges
(especially the odometer) are working. The odometer may have been tampered
with if the white lines between the numbers do not line up or the 1/10-mile
numbers vibrate while the car is moving.
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Check the brakes.
First look in your rear view mirror, when there is no one behind you for
miles, warn any passengers that you're about to perform the following test.
Drive about 30 miles per hour and slam on your brakes. If the car doesn't
stop quickly and in a straight line, don't buy it.
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Check the steering.
If the car wanders or pulls to one side, that means trouble. If there is
a lot of play in the steering that could mean there is trouble with the
bushings. Too much stiffness could be bad shocks or front-end problems.
Is the power steering smooth? Is there any squealing?
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If you're driving
an automatic put your left foot on the brake and your right on the gas.
If you move forward, that's a sign of slippage. Pass on the car.
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If you're driving
a manual transmission, drive on a hill and look for any clutch slippage
(excessive revving).
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Check the transmission
by turning the engine off, let it cool down for a minute or so, then restart
it. While accelerating slowly, listen to the transmission. A hollow revving
sound (in automatics) or a whining sound (in manuals) means the transmission
is in trouble.
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