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Most people will want to get behind the wheel of the car, truck, or SUV they’re interested in. Test drives help you gain perspective on how a car will function in your daily life. Taking a vehicle for a test drive may not seem like a big deal, but when making such an important purchase, you shouldn’t leave anything to chance.

Read on to find out what tips can help you before and during your test drive.

4 Car Test Driving Tips

Know what you want

You should have some idea of what kind of vehicle you want before showing up at a dealership. With so many options, you’re bound to be overwhelmed. If you do your research, you’ll be prepared to narrow down your search. With a list of must-have features in hand, you won’t waste your time test driving a car that doesn’t fit the bill.

Don’t settle

Once you’ve agreed to a test drive, try to make it count. If your daily commute involves lots of stop-and-go city driving, testing it on only country roads won’t help you gauge how it fits into your lifestyle. Ask the salesperson if you can take a route that best represents your needs.

Test its functions

You may be tempted to take it easy during your test drive, but that may not give you a true feel of how the car runs. Getting on the highway and stepping on the gas can help you see how well the car accelerates, something that may be an important factor for you. Whether the vehicle is new or pre-owned, testing the brakes and steering is always smart.

With today’s models, there are a ton of tech-friendly features waiting to be explored. Have the salesperson show you how to use them during the test drive so that you can get a better idea of all the car has to offer.

Keep your options open

Just as you would try on several pairs of pants before buying one, you should consider the same when it comes to test driving vehicles. Similar cars don’t necessarily drive the same, so take another one out for a spin and note the differences.

Test Drive Today in Raleigh, NC

After looking through the new cars for sale in Raleigh, North Carolina, at Fred Anderson Toyota of Raleigh, you’ll be ready to take one for a test drive. If you’re thinking pre-owned is a better choice, check out our used car dealership today.