Testing the Audio System in a Used Automobile
March 21, 2011 by Cliff
When someone goes shopping for a used car, it’s pretty normal to perform the standard inspections in order to make sure you’re not getting ripped-off in the sales process. Inspecting the tires, smelling the engine oil for engine wear, checking lights for functionality, and, of course, the test drive itself in order to see how the car.
Every smart shopper wants to make sure that the systems in the car they’re going to buy are functioning well and that the car is worth the price being asked. However, most drivers don’t consider the car stereo system when they test-drive a used car. Considering how much time you spend listening to music in the car, it makes sense to inspect the audio system on. Below are some tips to help you inspect the audio system in a used car.
- Perform a Sound Check – Setting the radio to your favorite station, check out the functions of the stereo system to see how well it handles your demands. Do the speakers wobble and vibrate when you increase the bass level? Are the speakers cracked from sun damage? How loud can the unit go before distortion ruins the output sound? Do both the front and back speaker systems work? Do balance, treble and extra-bass functions operate as they should? Does the tuning system work? Do the CD player functions operate correctly? All these functions should be tested in order to make sure that the stereo system in the car you are buying works well.
- Conduct a Visual Examination – Oftentimes, dealers also will remove high-end stereo systems and replace them with low-end “factory” systems to prevent higher-end systems from being stolen off the lot after hours by thieves. Examine the stereo system for its fit in the car; check the wiring underneath the stereo for loose wires or unmatched wiring from previous equipment that was removed. Also, look for mismatched speakers or ill-fitting equipment that may indicate the stereo equipment was removed and replaced. These tell-tale signs may inform you the stereo system presently installed was not in the car when it arrived, and the current system may not even be the correct one for the car you are interested in buying.
- Bring a Favorite CD Along for the Ride – Everyone has a favorite album or two that they play on road trips. Bring that disc with you on your test drive, and slip it in the system as you check out the car’s performance. You know how the song should sound, and if you don’t like what you’re hearing in the stereo system, you may want to negotiate a bit lower price for the car with the salesman.
The bottom line is, when buying a used car don’t forget to check out the stereo system for sound quality and performance. If you buy the car and you get stuck with a “lemon” of a sound system, you’ll be the one feeling sour while driving.
Category: How To
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One Response to “Testing the Audio System in a Used Automobile”
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