How to get rid of tailgaters

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44 The Know-it-all’s Guide to Life Electrical system Your mechanic should test the electrical system with a diagnostic machine that will indicate if there is a problem with the starter, alternator, or battery. When you test drive the car, look closely at the dashboard to make sure no warning lights stay on. Airbags are particularly costly to repair. Engine cooling system If the engine is completely cold, take a look at the cooling system by unscrewing the radiator cap and siphoning off a little fluid with an antifreeze tester. Coolant should be translucent yellow or green; if it’s murky or dirty, chances are the radiator has some corrosion. Your mechanic can check out the cooling system by pressure testing the radiator to spot any leaks that could leave you stranded later. Intake and exhaust Sensors in the engine and exhaust system have a finite life and should be checked by your mechanic. The majority of states have mandatory emissions tests; bad sensors, catalytic converters, and loose tail pipes will have to be fixed before you take the car to be tested. Frame and suspension The suspension system, frame, and front wheel bearings should all be examined to ensure that the car is safe to drive. Examine the exterior carefully for signs of accident damage. Look for imperfections in the finish indicating it has been repainted. Also look inside the trunk and make sure the color matches the body. Another way to locate bodywork is with a magnet, which won’t work in areas that have been patched with epoxy resin (a.k.a. Bondo). If the doors, trunk, or hood do not open and close smoothly, there is a good chance the car was previously wrecked. Never look over a car in the rain—water can hide surface imperfections. Manufacturers’ certified pre-owned programs provide a margin of comfort. Vehicles in these programs generally have lower mileage, are in better shape, and have been given a thorough going-over by the dealer before being offered for sale. Pre-owned certifications typically feature extended factory warranties as well. You pay for the added assurance, though; certified used cars cost from $500 to $1,200 more on average. Another good source for used cars is rental car companies. There is a reason why the national rental car firms always have new cars: Cars in their fleets are sold when they accumulate too many miles. Although rental cars can be abused, they are generally well-maintained and have complete service records. They often have time left on their manufacturers’ warranties as well.
How to select an ear of corn 45 Although dealers give you a place to complain if you have a problem with the car, private sellers are significantly cheaper. Unlike the old days when dealers only sold trade-ins and you could occasionally find a bargain, today most cars in the used lots have been purchased at auctions. Buying from an individual can be dicey though. Some seemingly private sellers are really dealers of waxed-up jalopies who sell cars for cash and disappear without a trace. Be extremely wary if a private seller doesn’t seem to know much about the car or wants to meet somewhere other than his residence. Also avoid buying from what are known as “curbstoners.” These are unsavory operators who set up in vacant lots to merchandise used cars. Sometimes curbstoners use confederates who pretend to be private owners. When it comes to price, car buying is an American blood sport: Haggle like the dickens! Arm yourself with blue book pricing data and copies of Hemmings Motor News to offer comparable data points. If you are buying from a dealer, be sure to write down any oral promises the salesperson makes. State lemon laws, by the way, only apply to cars under warranty. If you buy an old hunk of junk you are probably stuck with it. Go to the video store and rent the 1980 classic Used Cars, starring Kurt Russell. At least you will be able to laugh about it. How to select an ear of corn Don’t be a ninny and strip the husk off each ear. What do you expect to find in there? Worms? The keys to good corn are size and weight, measures you can take without shucking it. If the ear feels thin and looks scrawny, put it back. Get a nice thick ear with no flat sides. If you have doubts, peel one ear’s husk back a few inches and check the kernels. They should be decent sized and uniform, undented, and without gaps. The color is not necessarily important to flavor, although “supersweet” corn is almost always golden yellow. And a few brown kernels at the end won’t hurt you. Corn should be freshly picked, which means there will be moisture in the silks and the husk. Fresh corn will keep two weeks or more in the refrigerator in a plastic bag.
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