Most drivers know they have to stay on top of car maintenance all throughout the year, preparing for the worst of the season ahead. What some don't know is that whatever season just ended may have wreaked some havoc on your ride. 

So while you should be getting your car checked regularly anyway, it becomes especially important when you're prepping for big temperature swings. That means it's the perfect time to take your vehicle to a local garage, such as the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction, for a tune up. 

Summer can cause problems with car batteries
Now that summer has ended, it's time to get your car battery checked. Several months of high temperatures and humidity could have caused problems with this essential part. The Car Care Council noted that hot weather may lead to even more issues than cold, which is typically thought of to be the most harmful. 

"When most motorists think of dead batteries that cause starting failure, they think of severe winter weather, but summer heat is the real culprit," said Rich White, the executive director of the Car Care Council. "Many battery problems start long before the temperatures drop. Heat, more than cold, shortens battery life."

It all occurs because heat leads to the evaporation of battery fluid. That then damages the internal aspects of the battery, hampering its function. Another problem to watch out for is overcharging, where a component inside the battery malfunctions and causes a high charging rate that actually kills its viability. 

Make sure your battery is up to snuff
The easiest way to ensure your battery is operating at a high level is to have a professional look it over. However, you still need to pull your own weight and make an effort. First, schedule regular maintenance appointments so you know your car battery is being checked by someone who knows what they're doing. 

Secondly, you should do your best to always keep the battery clean. Dirt and other debris that gets into the gear can ruin even the highest-quality product, draining its power and posing a safety risk. You also need to do some light maintenance of your own in any weather, including adding distilled water when necessary and monitoring the charge to ensure you are ready for anything. 

Almost everyone wants to have a car that catches the eye of passersby for all of the right reasons. What you don't want is a ride that is going to claim the attention of would-be thieves. Unfortunately, auto theft is something that a few owners will have to contend with. Those who are smart about their investments, however, can arm themselves with knowledge – and a sweet alarm system – to prevent the worst from happening. 

Most popular targets
The National Insurance Crime Bureau recently released its annual "Hot Wheels" report, which details the most stolen vehicles in the U.S. According to the data, the Honda Accord was the hottest target in 2013, as it was reported stolen nearly 54,000 times. Coming in right behind the Accord was the Honda Civic at 45,000 reported thefts. 

While Honda might have dominated the top two spots, full-size pickups were also popular choices for thieves. Chevrolet and Ford pickups took the third and fourth slots, respectively, with more than 26,000 thefts each. 

Also landing on the NICB's top 10 list were the Toyota Camry, full-size Dodge pickups, Dodge Caravan, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Altima. All in all, the organization predicted that the total number of car thefts fell more than 3 percent in 2013, likely to the lowest point since 1967. 

What you can do
Is your ride somewhere in the top 10? Never fear, as there are things you can do to avoid theft. For starters, always lock your car and take your keys with you when you leave it out of sight. You'll also want to have a functioning alarm system and power locks, so you'll never have an excuse for not securing your ride. 

Another idea is to install some type of tracking device in your car. That way, if the vehicle does get stolen, you'll be able to track it down and recover it, which may significantly reduce your frustration and expenses in the long run. 

Prospective buyers who want to make sure they are doing everything they can to protect their investment should try to find a used car with a high-quality alarm system. If that's one of the items you're looking for in a purchase, browse the collection at NJ State Auto Auction. There, you'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans that could be right for you. 

For the past five years, drivers in New Jersey have had to combat red-light cameras. These electronic devices monitor intersections and track any moving violations – meaning that drivers caught running red lights could be fined after the fact. However, the program may soon be ending in the Garden State. 

The Governor Has Doubts
According to The Star-Ledger, the five-year pilot program for the cameras is set to expire in December, and there is very little support for a continuance. No bill has been introduced to extend the efforts, and even Gov. Chris Christie has expressed some doubts about signing off on the program. 

"I have concerns about it, and my inclination is not to continue it, but I haven't made any final decisions," Christie told the source at a news conference. 

Additionally, a number of other state representatives have spoken in opposition of the cameras. 

Problems With The Red-Light Program 
One of the reasons lawmakers may be opposed to continuing the red-light program is because of problems the cameras have encountered recently. Earlier in the year, a technical glitch in the system prevented tickets from being sent out for as many as 17,000 infractions across 17 towns, The Star-Ledger reported. As a result, motorists were not informed of potential fines. 

While this was just one extreme example of the problems with the program, it has resulted in quite a bit of backlash, and it could be one of the big arguments against the red-light cameras. 

Drivers Need To Stay Vigilant
Even if New Jersey does end its red-light camera program, drivers in the Garden State will still need to be aware of automated devices on the roads. Nearly half of states throughout the U.S. use red-light cameras, speed cameras or both, according to a separate article in The Star-Ledger – including many of New Jersey's surrounding regions, such as New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. 

While some lawmakers are campaigning to prevent other states from fining New Jersey residents for driving infractions caught on camera, any resolution is still off in the future. Until then, drivers will have to do their best to stay ahead of the law – starting with driving a safe car that is up-to-date with maintenance and safety features.

Motorists looking for a reliable used car should head to NJ State Auto Auction. The lot has hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans on site, ensuring that drivers can find a model that meets all of their needs. 

You've done your research, saved your pennies and made your way to the dealership – you're ready to buy a car. But before you unite with your new baby and drive away, there's a crucial step you should take. One of the final items on your pre-purchase checklist should be getting your new ride inspected. You may consider an independent inspection to be another unwanted and unnecessary expense, but even the newest models and most reliable vehicles can be prone to unseen issues and one-off maintenance problems. Thus it's important to consider your mechanic's inspection as an investment toward your future with your car.

Know the procedure
AutoTrader noted the dealer likely won't make mention of an independent inspection, which means the onus is on you to get the ball rolling. You have to not only let the dealer know that you'll be ordering an inspection, but you also have to make the appointment to have the car looked at yourself. Fortunately, the source assured that your job as a buyer stops once you set everything up. After scheduling with the mechanic or garage to look at your prospective purchase, they'll follow up with a full report when they've completed their job. 

What you're looking for
Do you know what sorts of things you should be on the lookout for before signing on the dotted line? The standard vehicle inspection covers anywhere from 50 to 100 points, according to consumer blog Angie's List. This refers to the number of areas of the car's functionality that are examined, so a 100-point inspection will look at more than a 50- or 75-point variety. 

Of course, 100 points is a lot of ground to cover, but in general there are a few key areas that almost all mechanics will look at. According to AutoGuide, brakes, radiators, coolant and suspension are all likely candidates for close pre-purchase scrutiny, as these are some of the most important parts for your car's continued operation. But as a buyer you should also familiarize yourself with an overview of what's covered and, more importantly, what won't be covered, so you can make sure to fill in any gaps yourself. For example, the source noted that many inspections don't look at the condition of the car's body, but it's a good idea for you to be on the lookout for rust or other signs of damage or neglect.

If you're looking to buy a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. There are hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team ready to help you afford the vehicle that's right for you.

If you've spent any length of time shopping for a car, you likely know that it can be a complicated process. Unlike other purchases, you wouldn't necessarily just show up to a dealership and buy a car on the spot. A new ride is a big investment, and a car's value can be subject to any number of factors, from the age of the vehicle to its history to what time of year you're shopping.

While there may not be an exact science to making the most of your car-buying experience, there are a few tips to keep in mind when you're ready to head to the lot.

Summer loving
The warmer months of the year are good for more than just beaches and barbecues – evidence indicates that summer may be the best time to spark a love with a new set of wheels as well. According to TrueCar, August tends to see the lowest transaction prices for car-buyers, meaning motorists may want to consider adding one more item to their back-to-school shopping lists. This may seem arbitrary, but there's a reason for the price drop. The source indicated that many manufacturers tend to rotate their model seasons toward the end of the summer. As a result, shoppers are likely to have better luck finding a less expensive buy in last year's models as the newer vehicles roll onto the lot.

Daily deals
There may be evidence to indicate that you should check your calendar before heading out to shop for a car – not only can the month you look influence price, but the day of the week may as well. In general, according to TrueCar, Sundays tend to yield the best results if you're looking to save money on a purchase. Data found that average transactions tended to be around $2,000 cheaper on Sunday than on Friday, which was the most expensive day to purchase a vehicle.

Another interesting point is that Black Friday, the unofficial national day of shopping and consumerism, is a prime time for motorists to find a bargain as well. Time magazine, citing data from TrueCar, pointed to November 25, 2011, as an example, with dealers offering an average 9.5 percent discount off of the manufacturer's suggested retail price for many models.

If you're ready to shop for a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team to help qualify you for a loan.

Everyone likes to think of themselves as safe drivers. After all, many of us get into our cars every day without incident. But the fact remains that driving requires a focus on safety. Regardless of any individual's skill behind the wheel, there are some conditions that are inherently more dangerous than others. Knowing where danger can come from may help keep both you and your passengers safe.

When you're going fast
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, speeding is one of the major contributing factors when rollovers are involved. In fact, the foundation's data reported that 75 percent of rollover accidents resulting in death took place on rural roads with a 55-mph speed limit or higher. 

Of course, that's not to say that speed is bad and you should never travel fast – in fact, keeping your speed low on highways can actually increase danger. In fact, Esurance noted that some states administer traffic tickets for driving too slowly that are actually more expensive than speeding tickets. However, drivers must recognize the added danger of traveling at higher speeds.

When it's dark outside
Nighttime is much more dangerous for drivers than the daytime. According to data from the National Safety Council, Traffic death rates are three times as high at night as they are during the day. Conditions are worsened due to reduced visibility. Interesting to note is that around 66 percent of nighttime traffic fatalities affected people who weren't properly buckled up.

In a similar vein, weekends tend to be more dangerous statistically, Forbes stated. However, while nighttime accidents are often due to a lack of visibility, weekend crashes are a result of simply more cars being on the road.

Making things safer
Just because certain conditions can be more dangerous doesn't mean that drivers should avoid them completely. In fact, there are quite a few steps that can be taken to keep everyone safe. The biggest and most important thing any motorist can do is drive with greater awareness of his or her surroundings. Use safety measure like seatbelts and, above all, eliminate distractions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was quick to point out that cellphone use can reduce driver focus by as much as 37 percent, making talking or texting on the road one of the most dangerous things you can do. The flip side, of course, is that it's quite simple to eliminate this major safety risk by simply not using your phone while behind the wheel.

If you're shopping for a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team dedicated to helping you finance the vehicle that's right for you.