Ready to roll? Here are four ways to make your path to new car ownership a little less bumpy.

1. Figure out what you can afford

Look at your budget. Identify fixed monthly expenses like rent or mortgage, utilities, health insurance, debt and food. Also consider the costs of auto insurance, gas and periodic maintenance. Remember, if you currently have an older car, your taxes and insurance may increase substantially when you buy new.

Use an auto calculator to help you figure out how much you can afford to spend on a car and what your loan payments will be. Be sure you will still have money to build up your savings fund.

2. Check your credit

Details on your credit report tell lenders if you are a good or bad credit risk. Having a good credit history may open the door to a lower interest rate.

You can get a free credit report online, once a week, from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Visit annualcreditreport.com to view and download your credit report.

3. Apply for a loan

Go ahead and get pre-approved for a New Car Loan prior to visiting a dealership. This could give you more negotiating power on interest rates.

4. Get ready to shop

Today you can buy your car with a few keystrokes. There are websites dedicated to car reviews and online car values services where you can compare vehicle specs and prices, incentives and rebate options. If you currently have a car you want to trade in, now is the time to see what it is worth. You can search for the perfect vehicle yourself or let a car-buying service do the work for you. Once you choose the vehicle and features you want, the service delivers your car to your home or office. Use these tips to make your new car-buying journey a little smoother.