Disclaimer:Pricesexcluderegistration,title,feesandtaxes.NeitherthedealernorLongIslandUsedCarsisresponsiblefortypographicalerrorsormisprints.Informationshouldbeverifiedwithseller. Allvehicledataretreivedelectronicallyhourspriortopress-time;dealerreservesrighttochangepriceswithoutnotice.Vehiclessubjecttopriorsaleandmaynolongerbeavailable. TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL (631) 850-4500 39 AUGUST 2017 used .com CARS When buying a used car or truck there are a few important things that you can check to ensure that you’re not buying someone else’s headache. The following are a few things to check when shopping for a used car: TIRES Check that each tire on the vehicle is wearing its tread evenly. This will ensure that there is no frame damage on the vehicle. The tires do not have to be very new, or even good for that matter, but you do want to ensure that they are not wearing more on one side of the vehicle than the other. OIL Be sure to check the oil level of the car. A well maintained vehicle will have an oil level that is at least near the suggested full level on the dip stick of the engine. Also check for golden colored oil and that there are no icky deposits or white foam inside the oil compartment of the engine. White icky deposits will signify a bad oil water mixture which can be a major problem down the road. If the oil is just dirty (black) the car could be fine and just not have had its oil changed as often as it should have, but if the oil is golden in color and fairly clean, then you should be in good shape, or it was changed very recently. TRANSMISSION The best way to test a transmission is to drive the vehicle. When getting into the vehicle, with the car running, try shifting the transmission into all gears to make sure it switches gears properly. Drive the vehicle and make sure that the vehicle shifts into each gear properly while moving. Be sure to go as fast as the law permits to ensure all gears, including overdrive, work and shift properly. (Transmissions will often lose their highest gears first, so be sure to test out the overdrive gear.) After the vehicle has been warmed up, check the transmission fluid (automatic vehicles only) and make sure it does not seem or smell burnt or contain any materials in the fluid, as this could represent warn internal parts. WATER If the car has not been started you may want to check the water or antifreeze level of the vehicle. DO NOT CHECK THE LEVEL IF THE CAR IS HOT! It is very dangerous to do so as there will be pressure in the radiator if the car is hot and you can be badly burned by the antifreeze or coolant if it shoots out from pressure. I personally always want to see a full level of coolant in a car I am about to purchase. These are just a few things to check when inspecting a vehicle before purchase. There are many other things a professional would check, but as a novice, if you at least check these things, you should be in good shape. For a full extensive list of items to check, please visit www.liusedcars.com/tips/ Happy used car hunting! Used Car Buying Tips by used used .com .com