Article: If you don't know a lot about auto mechanics, bring someone along with you for the best results. Private sellers may keep records of any repairs or maintenance done on the vehicle, and this will tell you the general health of the car. If they do not know the history, you'll absolutely need to do a thorough check through the DMV.  Ask if they have made any modifications ("mods") to the car, and who did them. Ask, at the very least, for the mechanical history of the car since the current owner bought it. If they made repairs or changes themselves, it is up to you whether or not you trust them. The DMV has a record of any accidents involving the car, as does Carfax.com, so that you can do a more detailed search. Use the VIN, located on the steering column in the interior, on the engine, or etched on the windshield, to get specific car information. The most likely location of the VIN is on the lower left-hand corner of the windshield (looking from the driver's seat). Check the body for obvious damage or signs of previous heavy repairs, the tires for any obvious defects such as cracks or under-inflation or excessive wear, and the engine for any signs of physical damage. Use a small pocket magnet to find areas where plastic putty (bondo) was used to repair body damages. A paint thickness tester with a digital display will help to detect clunkers. Be aware of the fact that private sellers are not prevented in any way from selling damaged cars, and can hide the origin of the car through title washing, a process of selling a car and re-registering it in a new state. Mineral deposits, discoloration, water stains on the interior, strong odor from cleaners, or deposited flotsam are all sure indicators of water damage. Any water damage to the engine or interior of the car is likely to leave the car totaled. Check in the wheel wells, the rockers, the floorboards, and trunk. Repairing or reversing rust is an expensive process. Indicators of shoddy bodywork include mismatched paint, use of plastic or fiberglass filler, or gaps between body panels. The odometer is generally reliable, but wear on seat upholstery and the pedals are sure indicators of use as well. You should be alert when you find new pedal rubbers! The Kelley Blue Book offers a calculator for the price impact of mileage. Have this calculator handy.  Note, however, that Kelly Blue Book prices will vary from zip code to zip code, so check prices in your own town, not where you buy the car. If they are worn unevenly, the car may need front end repairs to the alignment, shocks, tires or tie rods. While replacing the tires can be relatively inexpensive, any obvious and significant damage would make the car unsafe to test drive. A new set of tires can be a potential red flag -- as this is an odd expense to pay before selling the car. Make sure you pay specific attention to braking and handling when test driving. Batteries are inexpensive and easy to replace. If the terminals are corroded it is an indication of poor maintenance. Avoid test driving the car if the battery appears too corroded, it could spark or start a fire. Make sure there is no oil on the air filter, or near the air intake. This could indicate blown pistons or other engine damage. If you are unsure of how to check this, have an experienced mechanic show you. Again, a brand new air filter can be a red flag, as it might be a way to cover or postpone engine failure. That said, these cheap parts are easy to replace and should be replaced often, so as long as it's not brand new without an explanation you should be fine. The oil from the dipstick should be black and free from grit. The coolant should not have any particulate matter in it, or be sludgy or brown. This indicates serious issues with the engine that make the car unsafe and costly to repair. If the oil is red or green it is probably brand new. Again, if the seller is not upfront about this it can be a red flag that she/he is hiding bigger issues. It should smell sweet and have little particulate matter.  Burnt orange or brown fluid means it hasn't been changed in a long time. Avoid test driving the car if there are issues with the transmission, as it locking up or otherwise braking could cause an accident. This is for automatic transmissions. For a manual transmission, check the clutch master cylinder for leaks, etc.; and the clutch pedal; it shouldn't feel either too stiff or too loose.  Does the shifter hang up or pop out of gear?  Those would be considered deal enders. Run the heat and the air conditioning to see how well they run. The air conditioning may need coolant to improve cooling.  The fan should blow without any obstruction or excessive noise. . Drive as you normally would, for a period of time that is sensible. This includes freeway and city driving.  Keep an eye on the engine temperature, ease of steering and the ease of shifting gears, as well as the status of check engine light. You can monitor the gear shifts by observing the tachometer's rise and fall with acceleration. Many minor repairs can be accomplished relatively quickly.   Keep the stereo off so that you can listen into the car for dangerous sounds or unwelcome noises. You can test the sound system, but make it quick. Try to drive, if possible, at a variety of speeds and locations. Get on a nearby highway and open it up, then try to slower, more precise turning on slower roads.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Ask for a maintenance history for the vehicle. Use the VIN to do a detailed car history search. Make a thorough inspection of the vehicle, with the engine off and on. Inspect the vehicle for any signs of water damage. Inspect the car for any rust or body damage. Examine the mileage on the vehicle. Check the tires, especially the front, for wear. Examine the battery. Check the air filter. Examine the engine's coolant and oil levels while the car is off. Check the transmission fluid with the engine running. Check the climate control in the car. Test drive the car
Article: Your sick baby may not want to eat as much, but if their appetite hasn't changed, avoid feeding them as much as they normally eat. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals is gentler on their sensitive stomachs and they'll be less likely to vomit it up. To help you monitor your baby's illness, you might want to write down when you feed the baby and about how much they ate or how long they nursed. Then, make a note if they keep it down or vomit shortly after. Watch for when your baby pauses during a feed and use the opportunity to burp them. Try to do this 2 to 3 times while they eat and spend less than 1 minute burping, stopping even if they haven't burped. If your baby hasn't burped after you've tried burping them for 1 minute, they probably don't have trapped gas to release so let them go back to feeding. Your sick baby might not enjoy the sensation of movement, which can make them feel nauseous. Instead of swinging or bouncing your baby, cradle them in your arms and hold them steady. Cuddling your sick baby can reassure them and make them feel more comfortable. If your sick baby seems gassy and unable to burp, put them into a baby bathtub that's half full of warm water. After the bath, dry your baby and lay them on their back. Then, use lotioned hands to gently rub across their tummy in a clockwise direction. The warm bath can relax their stomach muscles and the massage can release trapped air so the baby burps. If your baby swallows a lot of air during a feeding session, they may become gassy or have to burp a lot. To reduce discomfort, consider buying anti-colic bottles that are designed to make it easier for your baby to suck without swallowing a lot of air. You can also check the baby bottle nipples to ensure that milk isn't flowing too quickly, which can cause your baby to choke.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Give your baby smaller feedings. Burp your sick baby 2 to 3 times during each feeding session. Avoid swinging or jiggling your baby. Give your baby a massage or bath to relax them. Adjust your baby's bottle to prevent them from swallowing air.