Test Drive Tips!

The test drive is an important part of your car purchase. This is your chance to drive one or more used cars and decide which will be yours for the next several years. A test drive may only be 10 or 15 minutes per vehicles, but, there are several things you will want to remember to check when comparing these used cars.

Before you drive

1. Test the controls – Check things like the power windows and locks, power seats, power mirrors, Also make sure the air conditioner, heater, CD player, and window wipers are working correctly. Have someone sit behind the wheel and operate the headlights, brake lights, and turn signals as you verify that they work.
2. Open everything- Open and close all the doors and the trunk, glove compartment, and center consul, make sure everything is operating smoothly.  Also open the hood with the engine running and listen for knocks or ticks.
3. Exterior check- walk around the whole vehicle and check for damage, rust, check under the vehicle for fluid leaks, check the tires, and look for a cracked windshield.

As you drive

1. Driving comfort – take a moment to make sure the test drive vehicle is comfortable. Adjust the seat, steering wheel and mirrors to your comfort.  While it usually takes a bit of driving to become completely comfortable with your next car, on the test drive you will know if you can get comfortable with that vehicle or not.
2. Performance – be sure that during  your test drive you have a chance to accelerate to at least 60mph, break, and drive on a highway and city streets. Check for any vibration in the steering wheel, or if the vehicle pulls to one side. Also listen for any odd noises while moving or at a standstill, and check if the transmission shift smoothly.
3. Blind spots – while on your test drive be sure to check your blind spots carefully.  Sometimes when changing from a car to a wagon, a car to a large SUV or the like, there are more blind spots.  Most people can get used to them, but occasionally a customer will decide against a certain vehicle because of poor visibility.

Happy 4th of July!

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July! From your friends at Team Superstores!

Summer Road Trip Tips

Before you head out on your summer road trip be sure to do the following.

Plan your journey:

Ensure you pack a road map and plan your route before you start driving. Think about where you are traveling and what extra equipment you might need.

Tire pressure:

Ensure your tires are neither over nor under inflated. Adjust the tire pressure if necessary depending on the amount of weight you may be carrying.

Tire tread and condition:

Summer temperatures heat up tires and can aggravate any existing damage to the rubber so check you have the legal tire tread depth and look out for any existing damage that may need attention.

Engine oil and coolant levels:

Ensure these are topped off to maintain the condition of your engine.

Check lights:

It is essential that you check all lights including brake lights to ensure they are working and clear of dirt, which may make them hard to see by other drivers.

Check fluid levels:

Do not fill your fuel tank to the brim as heat expansion during the summer months could cause a fuel leak.

In all seasons, it is important that you carry an emergency kit in your vehicle, including; torch, water, high visibility vest and blankets.

Happy & Safe Summer Road Tripping!

Fuel Saving Tips: Save money on gas

Check Your Air Filter

Nearly one in four cars needs an air filter replacement. A clean air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%

Check Your Gas Cap

Believe it or not, its been estimated that nearly 17% of cars on the road have broken or missing gas caps. What's the big deal? Escaping fumes not only hurt fuel economy but release smog-causing compounds into the air. Avoid air pollution and improving fuel mileage is as easy as replacing a bad gas cap.

Slow Down

For every 5 mph you reduce highway speed, you can reduce fuel consumption by 7%

Lay Off the Brakes

Riding with your foot on the brake pedal will not only wear out your brake pads (which will cost you at the maintenance shop) but can also increase gas consumption by as much as 35%

Lighten Up

For every 100 extra pounds carried around, your vehicle loses 1 to 2% in fuel efficiency. Don't drive with too much junk in the trunk.

Air Pressure

Experts agree that keeping the correct air pressure in your tires is as important as giving your engine a tune-up. In fact, the economic benefits may be even greater. With the right amount of air pressure, your tires wear longer, save fuel, enhance handling, and prevent accidents. Failure to maintain the correct air pressure can result in poor gas mileage, reduce tire life, affect vehicle handling, and cause vehicle overloading. If you consider these factors, then the need to routinely check your tire pressure is even clearer.

2014 Chevy Impala

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2013 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe at Team Superstores