identifying auto issue by sound and feel

If you are starting the process of buying a used vehicle, this is definitely not something you want to go into without being prepared. Here are some things to look for when shopping for a used vehicle.

The Tires

It is always worth looking at the tires on the vehicle to see if they are in good condition. Run your hands over the tires so that you can feel if the tires are wearing evenly. If there is waving or cupping in the tire, it could be due to a problem with the wheel alignment that is causing the tread to wear unevenly. You should also check the tread of the tire to see how much is left on it. The last thing you want is to have an unexpected tire replacement soon after buying the vehicle. 

The Fluids

There are a few things under the hood that you should check when it comes to fluids. The transmission fluid will tell you if the transmission is in good condition or it needs to be serviced. If you take out the dipstick and see that the fluid is red and color and not burnt, then everything with the transmission is likely fine. Be cautious if the fluid is black in color or has a bad odor to it. Low transmission fluid can also mean that the vehicle has a transmission fluid leak.

Open up the brake fluid reservoir to check on the fluid levels. If the fluid levels are low it means that the brakes are worn down, and if the fluid is topped off it could mean that the owner recently refilled the brake fluid. You want the fluid to be at what looks like a normal level, with other things being a red flag.

The Computer Codes

It is possible to buy a diagnostic code reader to plug into the vehicle to see what types of error codes are there. This can give you a good idea of potential problems with the vehicle that is normally not displayed on the dashboard. To make sure that the codes have not recently been cleared, perform a readiness code test since emissions monitors need the car to be driven for a while before it tells you the status of the codes. If the codes are ready to go, it means it has been a while since the codes have been reset. If the computer is saying that the codes are not ready, it means the codes have been recently reset by the owner. Contact a company like Car Craft Auto Sales, Inc. for assistance.