3 Inspections To Perform Before Purchasing Your Used Truck

Buying a used truck is a great idea, as you will be saving money compared to buying a new truck. But there are a few things you need to consider before purchasing your vehicle. The following guide will help you properly inspect your used truck before buying it. 

Trucks Usually Carry A Heavy Load

Most trucks, as you know, were built to haul heavy loads. That means over time it may take a toll on certain compartments of your car. And you need to focus on those areas to make sure it is in good condition. 

Transmission

The first area to check out is the transmission of the vehicle. The following are a few simple things that you can feel and do as you test the car out to make sure it is in good shape:

  1. Turn on the car and let it heat up for at least 10 minutes. When the car has heated up enough time, lift up the hood and remove the transmission fluid dipstick. The transmission fluid should be bright red and without any contaminants. Check the smell of the oil to make sure it does not smell burnt. Contaminants or a burnt smell indicates a problem with the transmission. 
  2. Feel the car for jerks or delays between shifts, which indicates worn gear teeth or a clogged transmission.

Catalytic Converter

The catalytic converter is there to make sure your car does not expel dangerous fumes, like carbon monoxide. Heavy loads can overheat this compartment, so it is a good idea to check it out. The following are a few things that you can do:

  1. Feel and smell the exhaust pipe. You should not smell a faint rotten egg smell, and you do not want to see black smoke. Both of these indicate a clogged catalytic converter. 
  2. The car should accelerate without hesitation or issues. A clogged catalytic converter can diminish your vehicle's ability to speed up.

Hoses

Heavy loads put a lot of strain on a vehicle even though a truck is built to take this kind of treatment. This strain could overheat some compartments, especially after years of usage. Perform the following simple checks:

  1. Lift up the hood and make sure all hoses look sturdy and without worn areas. 
  2. After test driving your vehicle, make sure you do not smell burned rubber, as that could signal an overheating issue. 

The best thing you can do, above all else, is buy your vehicle from a certified used car dealership that offers a warranty on their vehicles. That should ensure that certified mechanics thoroughly inspected the car and made sure everything is working fine. For more information, contact a business such as Auto Max.


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