What Should You Look for During a Test Drive?

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Test Drive

Okay, you have researched countless Chevy models and you have found one that you really like. It has all of the power, features and style that you have looking for, but how does it drive? Is it maneuverable in tight spaces? How does it accelerate on the highway? There is only one way to get those answers and that is by getting behind the wheel for a test drive. Test drives can oftentimes be stressful, uncomfortable situations that cause you to miss out on valuable feedback about the car you are contemplating buying. Just follow these tips to get the most out of your test drive at McCluskey Chevrolet.

Test Drive on the Highway and in Other Driving Environments

You will never get the full picture of what that 2015 Chevy Colorado you love can do until you sit in the driver’s seat and take it for a spin. Be sure to get the most out of your test drive by trying different driving environments. Take it on the highway to see how it accelerates and test maneuverability and visibility by parallel parking and backing it up. If possible, take it for an extended test drive.

Make Sure You Fit Comfortably

When you get behind the wheel of the 2015 Chevy Cruze, is it a good fit? We all come in different shapes and sizes, so it is important that before you make a large investment you know how you fit into a particular model. Once you know that you won’t be banging your head on the ceiling constantly or driving with your knees under your chin, determine if it is comfortable. Set the driver’s seat where it fits you and make sure you can be comfortable for the long haul. Be sure to test out the back seat as well to ensure there is enough leg room or space for friends and family.

Test Drive a Chevy Model That is Closest to the One You Want

If you are interested in the 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 with the 6.2-liter V-8 don’t settle for a test drive in the six-cylinder Silverado. Different engines and trim levels may handle differently, so it is important that you test drive a model that is as close to the one you want as possible. Also, look for similar features, so you will know how they affect your driving experience.

By simply following these tips to get the most out of your test drive, you can gain a lot of insight into what Chevy model fits you best and what you are really looking for out of your next new vehicle. Stop in at McCluskey Chevrolet today and schedule a test drive to really learn about a vehicle. It is an important part to the car-buying process that you don’t want to forget about.

2020 Update

What To Consider When Test Driving

Chevy has made significant changes to their lineups, and because of this, 2021 Chevy models provide the latest and greatest features. These features include new engines, advanced safety features, modern infotainment centers, and more that can be found on a wide range of new Chevy models. When test driving a new Chevy vehicle, be sure to keep an eye out for these new features.

Test the Infotainment System

Infotainment centers have completely revolutionized the way that we stay connected while on the road in the digital age. Although infotainment centers aren’t a brand new concept for automobiles, they have never been as important as they are today. When test driving a new Chevy vehicle, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the new infotainment center. Depending on the Chevy vehicle that you’re test driving, it can have an infotainment center with up to a 10.2-inch full-color touch screen.

What an infotainment center essentially does is to serve as a virtual gateway between you and your entire music library. Not only can you access your favorite media, but most infotainment centers also allow for built-in navigation that provides you with turn-by-turn directions. When you’re test-driving a Chevy vehicle, be sure to explore the features that the infotainment center will grant you. While exploring, get a feel for the simplicity of finding your favorite music or how to use the built-in navigation to find your way on unfamiliar streets.

Check the Sound Quality

Accessing your music is one thing, but listening to it is a whole other experience. Chevy has teamed up with Bose, a world-renown audio company, to fit select vehicles with speaker-systems that have to be heard to be believed. Listening to your favorite music through a Bose speaker system is game-changing and incredibly immersive.

Depending on which model you’re test driving, you can experience an audio system that consists of up to fourteen speakers situated throughout the cabin. The best way to test out speakers is by listening to your favorite music, so plug in your phone and pick a song for the ride. Make sure to check all the sound settings before you get going, though, so that you aren’t distracted getting the volume right while driving an unfamiliar vehicle.

See if Your Smartphone is Compatible

One of the ways that manufacturers have modernized their infotainment centers is through the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With these pieces of software, the way you access your infotainment center is completely reinvigorated. While you’re test-driving a Chevy vehicle, you can utilize this function by plugging in your smartphone directly to the infotainment center.

Apple CarPlay works with iPhones, while Android Auto works with a wide range of Android devices. This means if you own a smartphone with either iOS or Android, you can take full advantage of these features. Once you connect your smartphone to the infotainment center, whether it’s through a USB connection or wirelessly on newer models, you’ll have a treasure trove of new features to explore. When you’re connected to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you’ll have full access to a host of functions that are directly derived from your smartphone.

Among these included features, you can make phone calls or send text messages by using nothing but your voice. While your phone is plugged into the system during your test drive, try speaking to your virtual assistant, whether it’s Siri or Google Assistant. You’ll be enamored at the possibilities that voice-controlled AI can give to the driving experience. This feature isn’t magic – it all starts with you, your smartphone, and a Chevy vehicle. Additionally, you’ll have full access to your device’s music library, navigation apps, and live weather updates. The best way to explore these features when test driving your Chevy is by plugging your smartphone into the infotainment center for instant access.

Review the Driver-Assistance Features

Chevy vehicles are well known for their reliability, and this is most apparent through the available safety features. Depending on which Chevy vehicle you’re shopping for, it may come with a wide array of active safety systems. However, amongst the most popular, you should keep your eye out for features such as forward-collision warning and front pedestrian braking, for example.

When it comes to the safety systems that you can utilize during your test drive, features such as adaptive cruise control are easy to access. Adaptive cruise control is different from the traditional methods of cruise control, as this feature will change your speed to match the traffic ahead of you. By activating this feature on a test drive, you’ll be amazed at the dynamic speed adjustments. Activate adaptive cruise control while you’re on the highway during your test drive to learn how this feature will make highway travel less tedious.

A blind-zone alert is included with certain Chevy models and will notify you of any traffic in your blind spots. Driving on the highway when test-driving your Chevy is a great way of experimenting with this feature and testing its accuracy for yourself. There are also a number of Chevy vehicles that include a rear-camera mirror within the interior. By utilizing a high-quality video feed from a camera situated behind your vehicle, you will have increased visibility at all times. Testing this feature is quite simple when taking a Chevy vehicle for a spin, and those who prefer a standard rear-view mirror can turn off the camera altogether.

Another option worth trying on your test drive is rear park assist. By utilizing an array of sensors that are located on the rear side of the Chevy you’re driving, it can determine if you’re getting too close to an obstructing object while parking in reverse. When test driving the Chevy, try parking while in reverse to see it in action – just be careful not to hit anything when you’re driving.

There are a few safety features that are found on 2021 Chevy models that you may not be able to fully test out during your test drive. For example, a wide range of 2021 Chevy vehicles includes lane departure warning, which will warn you if you’re drifting out of your lane. This feature usually comes coupled with lane keep assist, a very helpful system that provides subtle steering input to keep your vehicle in its intended lane. Features such as these aren’t exactly ideal for experimenting with when test driving a vehicle as you should always practice safe driving. Nevertheless, having features such as these means should they ever require usage, it will activate.

Play With the Seats

Comfort is always key. This is why Chevy offers different ways of staying comfortable while on the road. The traditional methods of manual seat adjustment are beginning to look outdated when compared to Chevy’s latest offerings. Depending on which Chevy model you’re driving, it can come with up to ten-way power-adjustable seats with lumbar support. Combine this with heating and ventilation, you’ll be comfortable, even on those long road trips.

With power-adjustable seating, you can electronically control your driver’s seat to find the position that you find most comfortable. And on models with memory settings, you can set your seat to return to that position at the touch of a button, which is great if you share a car with family members. Additionally, you may opt for leather-trim seating in your Chevy to give a greater sense of luxury. When you’re test-driving a Chevy, you should experiment with the power-adjustable seating to get comfortable before driving. Depending on the time of year that you’re test driving a Chevy, you should also utilize the built-in heating or ventilation functionality.