Many people prefer to buy one of the many pre-owned cars in Anchorage for different reasons. But, finding a good car takes a little more work than a test drive and tire kick. There are many clues all over the car to indicate its reliability. Finding the clues can be easy with a few tips on what to look at. Hoses and Belts There are several hoses and belts that move parts or fluid in the engine. These are made of rubber and should be firm and pliable, not hard and brittle. The hoses can be missing the clamps that keep them secure, allowing them to move with the vibration of the car. The belts can also begin to fray along the sides. Any of these warning signs can indicate imminent breakage of either one. Battery With bigger and more sophisticated computers every year, the battery becomes more important. Over time, corrosion can build up on the terminal posts, especially the positive one. This interferes with the current flowing out of the battery to the car. The corrosion can also begin to eat at the wires if it gets bad enough. Fluids There are several different fluids under the hood that should be looked at. The transmission fluid should look pink and smell like oil. Any other color or a burning odor can indicate a transmission that is failing. The steering and brake fluids will have a similar look and each reservoir has a full line that the fluid needs to come to when the car is cool. The motor oil is probably the most important. The dipstick can not only indicate how much oil is in the car but several other things. It can attract metal filings from the engine or, if it is foamy, indicate if there may be water in the oil lines. Finally, the coolant tank should be filled to the proper line. Each fluid can leave a distinct puddle under the car if they are leaking. Tires The tires should be inflated correctly and have close to full tread. Smooth areas or metal showing indicates worn tires that need to be replaced. If both front tires are worn unevenly, it can indicate a suspension or alignment problem. These should be the first things any buyer considering pre-owned cars in Anchorage should check before the test drive. Each one can indicate potential catastrophe with the car. And, the catastrophe could hit during the test drive.
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