Thai
Elite Member
Hey all,
I found this useful (a bit anal) checklist on an Acura forum i visit:
Instructions
So you bought a new car and it's ready for you to pick up and drive off the lot. We know you're excited to get on the road, but it is important not to rush the delivery process. Below you'll find some general guidelines and a checklist for you to print out and use the day you pick up your new baby.
-- Call the salesperson ahead of time and let them know that you plan to perform a delivery check during daylight hours. Make an appointment -- getting through your checklist may take more than an hour.
-- Tell the salesperson that you don't want any dealer nameplates affixed to the vehicle in any way (painted, riveted, or adhesive bonded). The license plate holder is okay. Ask that the vehicle's plates remain the dealer's until after you've taken delivery.
1. Note the mileage. Before you do anything else, look at the odometer. It should be as close to zero as possible. After all, you're paying for a brand-new car. And that's exactly what you should get. But there's more than principle involved. The first few hundred miles on a fresh engine are critical if you want it to have a long, trouble-free life. Most manufacturers specify certain procedures during this break-in period; i.e., "Avoid full-throttle acceleration and excessive engine speeds," says one automaker. Unless you buy one that's just rolled off the delivery truck, most brand-new vehicles will have 10 or 20 miles on the clock - miles accumulated from shuffling the truck around the dealership, or from a few test drives. What you don't want is a car with 100 or 200 miles that's been a demonstrator vehicle to every lead-footed prospective buyer in town.
2. Look over the bodywork. Do it in the daylight. And it helps to have an eagle-eyed friend or relative along; four eyes are better than two. Again, you're buying a new car and you should expect a perfect finish. Take the car for a test drive with the dealership's plates installed on the car. The Uniform Commercial Code allows a reasonable opportunity to inspect goods before accepting delivery.
a. Carefully sight along the sides of the car, from front to rear and vice versa, looking for ripples, dimples and dings. Light scratches can be buffed out easily enough. But you certainly don't want a car that's had any repaired body damage.
b. Look for paint over-spray on door ledges or around the edges of the engine compartment that might indicate repairs. Make sure there are no paint swirls from dealer detailing.
c. Make sure seams and door lines are straight and true. Remember, a careful inspection is critical because after the car leaves the lot, the dealer could reasonably claim that any body damage was caused by you.
d. Are the trim, rubstrips, decals, chrome, hood ornaments, and other exterior features present, in good shape (defect-free), and properly attached?
3. Operate and inspect every item on the car:
a. Doors: Do they all work correctly? Do they seal properly?
b. Cruise control
c. Horn
d. Wipers
e. Do the locks work properly -- are they automatic, can they be operated remotely?
f. Does the hood release lever operate from the inside? Do you know the location? Can you open the hood yourself? Does it stay up on its own?
g. Is the engine compartment in perfect shape?
h. Is every dip stick, plastic cover, and wire harness present and properly secured?
i. All the fluids should be at optimal levels: oil, transmission, power steering, brake, windshield wash, and coolant.
j. There should be very little dirt and grime, and not a single sign of fluid leakage of any kind.
k. None of the engine components should show exterior wear or replacement -- things like one spark plug wire that is a completely different shade of black should draw a red flag and a question. They should replace them all with new items if that means you'll drive the vehicle away.
l. Battery: Is it filled properly? Or is it a "no-service" type? (Check the level or sight dot.) No corrosion should be present on the electrodes. It should be properly connected -- fastened to wire leads and properly secured -- tied down in the vehicle. 0 Ask about how to jump it properly. 0 Does it have a special separate warranty?
m. Is the trunk in perfect shape?
i. Is the carpeting properly fastened?
ii. Do the lights work correctly?
iii. Does the internal opening button work correctly?
iv. How about the outside lock?
v. If it has gas shocks to hold up the lid, are they working properly?
vi. Are the extras, such as cargo nets or trunk tray, present as you ordered?
n. Fuel System:
i. Which side is the filler door on?
ii. Can you open it from inside the vehicle?
iii. Does it lock?
iv. What grade of gasoline does the manufacturer recommend?
v. How big is the tank?
vi. At what level does the fuel gauge on the dash register? (Many dealers
I found this useful (a bit anal) checklist on an Acura forum i visit:
Instructions
So you bought a new car and it's ready for you to pick up and drive off the lot. We know you're excited to get on the road, but it is important not to rush the delivery process. Below you'll find some general guidelines and a checklist for you to print out and use the day you pick up your new baby.
-- Call the salesperson ahead of time and let them know that you plan to perform a delivery check during daylight hours. Make an appointment -- getting through your checklist may take more than an hour.
-- Tell the salesperson that you don't want any dealer nameplates affixed to the vehicle in any way (painted, riveted, or adhesive bonded). The license plate holder is okay. Ask that the vehicle's plates remain the dealer's until after you've taken delivery.
1. Note the mileage. Before you do anything else, look at the odometer. It should be as close to zero as possible. After all, you're paying for a brand-new car. And that's exactly what you should get. But there's more than principle involved. The first few hundred miles on a fresh engine are critical if you want it to have a long, trouble-free life. Most manufacturers specify certain procedures during this break-in period; i.e., "Avoid full-throttle acceleration and excessive engine speeds," says one automaker. Unless you buy one that's just rolled off the delivery truck, most brand-new vehicles will have 10 or 20 miles on the clock - miles accumulated from shuffling the truck around the dealership, or from a few test drives. What you don't want is a car with 100 or 200 miles that's been a demonstrator vehicle to every lead-footed prospective buyer in town.
2. Look over the bodywork. Do it in the daylight. And it helps to have an eagle-eyed friend or relative along; four eyes are better than two. Again, you're buying a new car and you should expect a perfect finish. Take the car for a test drive with the dealership's plates installed on the car. The Uniform Commercial Code allows a reasonable opportunity to inspect goods before accepting delivery.
a. Carefully sight along the sides of the car, from front to rear and vice versa, looking for ripples, dimples and dings. Light scratches can be buffed out easily enough. But you certainly don't want a car that's had any repaired body damage.
b. Look for paint over-spray on door ledges or around the edges of the engine compartment that might indicate repairs. Make sure there are no paint swirls from dealer detailing.
c. Make sure seams and door lines are straight and true. Remember, a careful inspection is critical because after the car leaves the lot, the dealer could reasonably claim that any body damage was caused by you.
d. Are the trim, rubstrips, decals, chrome, hood ornaments, and other exterior features present, in good shape (defect-free), and properly attached?
3. Operate and inspect every item on the car:
a. Doors: Do they all work correctly? Do they seal properly?
b. Cruise control
c. Horn
d. Wipers
e. Do the locks work properly -- are they automatic, can they be operated remotely?
f. Does the hood release lever operate from the inside? Do you know the location? Can you open the hood yourself? Does it stay up on its own?
g. Is the engine compartment in perfect shape?
h. Is every dip stick, plastic cover, and wire harness present and properly secured?
i. All the fluids should be at optimal levels: oil, transmission, power steering, brake, windshield wash, and coolant.
j. There should be very little dirt and grime, and not a single sign of fluid leakage of any kind.
k. None of the engine components should show exterior wear or replacement -- things like one spark plug wire that is a completely different shade of black should draw a red flag and a question. They should replace them all with new items if that means you'll drive the vehicle away.
l. Battery: Is it filled properly? Or is it a "no-service" type? (Check the level or sight dot.) No corrosion should be present on the electrodes. It should be properly connected -- fastened to wire leads and properly secured -- tied down in the vehicle. 0 Ask about how to jump it properly. 0 Does it have a special separate warranty?
m. Is the trunk in perfect shape?
i. Is the carpeting properly fastened?
ii. Do the lights work correctly?
iii. Does the internal opening button work correctly?
iv. How about the outside lock?
v. If it has gas shocks to hold up the lid, are they working properly?
vi. Are the extras, such as cargo nets or trunk tray, present as you ordered?
n. Fuel System:
i. Which side is the filler door on?
ii. Can you open it from inside the vehicle?
iii. Does it lock?
iv. What grade of gasoline does the manufacturer recommend?
v. How big is the tank?
vi. At what level does the fuel gauge on the dash register? (Many dealers
