This summer, while you're working on your tan and sipping lemonade by the pool, you won't be the only one soaking up the season's sunlight. Your car will be joining you in most of your summertime festivities, and just like you take care to put on sunscreen when heading outdoors, your car also needs special attention to make it through the year's hottest season unscathed. The heat and sun can take a serious toll on your car's operation, and savvy drivers will take some time away from their sunbathing to bring their rides up to speed with some basic summertime maintenance. 

Keep on top of your tires
Making sure your car is fit with tires appropriate to the season is important to improve its performance and to prevent unnecessary tire damage. Some cars may call for tires specific to the summer season, but in general, all-weather tires will serve you just fine. The main thing to keep on top of is to make sure that you're not still using your winter tires from the snowy months. These are made of softer rubber, and are far more prone to wear. Swapping them out in the summer means that you'll preserve the tire tread and integrity for longer and can save you from having to buy a new set next winter.

Wiper woes
The snowy, slushy winter months can be devastating on your car's wiper blades. Months of wiping away ice and road salt can render them virtually ineffective by the time the thaw finally hits, and you'll want to make sure to replace them in time for the torrential summer showers. This will help you keep your windshield clean and greatly improve your visibility in poor weather.

Give it some shade
Chances are you wouldn't sit fully exposed in the hot summer sun for hours on end without protection, so why would you expect your car to? Vehicles may not get a sunburn like you do, but direct exposure can still do damage in the form of faded paint and upholstery, and can heat up the interior significantly, requiring your air conditioning to work extra hard. If there's no shade for you to park in, consider investing in a cardboard windshield shade or even a slip cover, to help keep the sun out.

If your vehicle needs maintenance, schedule an appointment with the NJ State Auto Auction Total Car Care Center. The skilled mechanics on staff can help you identify and fix any maintenance issues to help you keep your car running smoothly.

Our society loves cars and technology fairly equally, and it only makes sense that we'd eventually get around to putting the two together. Newer cars have hit the road with virtually no limit to the kind and amount of gadgets in, on and around them. For drivers looking to keep their cost of ownership down by keeping it simple, however, it may seem impossible to find a ride that just covers the basics with no bells and whistles. Fortunately, if you know what to look for, it's possible to find a car that is cost-effective and reliable.

Skip the all-wheel drive
Anybody who's spent any amount of time shopping for a car will know that all-wheel drive is an oft-touted benefit that seems more and more common these days. Many are tempted to go that route – after all, all-wheel drive sounds like a great thing to have, right? However, for many, especially those who restrict their driving to around town, all-wheel drive is more of an unnecessary expense than a useful addition.

All-wheel drive means that your car is heavier than it would be if it were a two-wheel drive model, meaning that you're going to take a hit to fuel efficiency. Specifically for around-town, stop-and-go driving, the extra cash you'll be spending at the pump outweighs the benefits of the feature. Front- or rear-wheel drive cars will leave you with more than sufficient power and acceleration without leaving you with a higher gas bill. According to Edmunds, your tires are far more important for traction than your drivetrain anyway.

Time your buy
Finding a base model car without a slew of add-ons and features can be difficult, but there are things you can do to keep your budget happy. The used car market is a great resource, as buyers are often able to find models that are only a few years old and thus have limited mileage but also limited gadgetry.

One suggestion is to start shopping close to the end of a cycle for a given make and model. When new-cycle cars are released, they frequently receive significant technology upgrades. Find out when your favored brand releases its new models, and make a point to take a look at the influx of used cars you'll see popping up.

For your car-buying needs, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a dedicated in-house finance team to help make your dream of car ownership affordable.

An epidemic has hit the streets of New Jersey, wreaking havoc on cars and their drivers with reckless abandon. According to one car insurance company, potholes are doing far more damage to cars than in previous years. More than just bumps in the road, these hazards can create serious maintenance and safety problems for careless drivers. If you want to keep your ride out of harm's way, it will require some knowledge, preparation and maintenance.

Don't be caught off guard
As a product of extreme winter temperatures and icy conditions, you can't avoid potholes from cropping up, but you can remain extra vigilant in the months following the thaw to make sure you don't run into them. Keeping your eyes on the road and scanning the lane ahead of you can help you spot these sneaky tire traps with enough time to try and safely avoid them. Be extra wary of large puddles, as they tend to be favorite hiding places for potholes and can catch unsuspecting drivers off guard. 

If a meeting between you and a pothole seems inevitable, react accordingly. You'll want to slow down, but be careful not to slam on the brakes – doing so means you may hit the pothole when your suspension is dropped, which drastically increases the chance of something getting knocked out of alignment.

Fight back
You don't have to get caught flat-footed by potholes. There are things you can do to help steel your wheels against potential pothole damage, as well as check after such an encounter. One of the biggest weapons in your arsenal is proper tire pressure. Those four wheels are taking the brunt of the impact every time you hit a divot, so keeping them in good shape is crucial for avoiding costly damage to your car. Underinflated tires can damage not only the tires themselves, but can also cause them to rebound harshly against your suspension, potentially knocking that out of whack as well, according to a press release from Plymouth Rock Assurance.

Your car's suspension is another favored target of devious potholes, and oftentimes it can be more difficult and less immediate to notice if anything has been knocked out of alignment. If you hit a particularly nasty bump, it may be a good idea to get your suspension checked, especially if you notice your car pulling to one side.

If you think your car may need repairs, make an appointment with the NJ State Auto Auction Total Car Care Center. The skilled mechanics are on hand to help keep your car running smoothly.

First-time car buyers have a lot to be excited about. A first car can be a powerful symbol of freedom, independence and authority, and a quality vehicle can stay with you for years to come. That said, it's not an undertaking that should be approached lightly. When shopping for your first ride, understand what you should be looking for in a car, but also what responsibilities await you after you've signed your contract so you can keep your car in great condition for longer. 

Making the right pick
The important thing when shopping for a car is to choose one that is well-suited to your lifestyle. Ask yourself what you'll primarily be using your car for – do you commute to and from work? Is it going to be for longer road trips back home? Are you just tired of taking the bus to buy groceries? Your answer to these questions should inform your shopping. If you're going to be putting a lot of miles on your car, you'll want one with a higher reliability rating so you don't have to worry about repairs popping up at inconvenient times. For trips around town, make sure you pay attention to fuel economy, as the frequent stop-and-go traffic of city driving can deal a hit to your gas budget. 

Maintenance basics
Of course, it's not enough to just hop in your newly purchased car and drive off into the sunset. If you want to best avoid problems down the road, there are a few basic maintenance tips you should brush up on, according to The Chicago Tribune. 

Everyone knows at least one person who has one of the notorious check engine light stories – someone who's been cruising with that little orange light on for months. It may seem innocuous, but paying attention to your car's lights, signals and alerts is crucial for keeping it well maintained. Even if you're not a gearhead, pop your hood and take a look at some of the more basic indicators, such as your oil and other fluids. You don't have to be performing any of this maintenance yourself; at least knowing where everything is may help you to identify problems more easily when and if they arise, or at the very least make it easier to talk to the mechanic about what's going wrong.

For your used car needs, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a dedicated in-house finance team to help you afford a high quality used car. The NJ State Auto Auction Total Car Care Center is a valuable resource for keeping your car running smoothly.

We form close relationships with our cars, many of us depending on them to fulfill basic parts of our daily lives. For those drivers who commute to and from their jobs every day, their rides are more than a convenience, they are a key part of their livelihood. Unfortunately, the extra miles a daily commute racks up can slowly but surely push a car into early retirement, a hassle that is as expensive as it is inconvenient. If you're looking for a car primarily to carry you to and from work, here are a few things to keep in mind to help you keep your car happier longer.

Pooling your resources
It's an oldie but a goodie – carpooling has been a fixture of many commuters' lives for a long time, and with good reason. The fewer miles you put on your car, the longer it will last. Not to mention carpooling saves tremendous amounts of money that would be spent on gas for everyone taking part. In fact, Bank Rate reported that a Seattle-area survey found vanpools to be 61 percent cheaper than driving alone, and even 28 percent cheaper than public transit, giving commuters the flexibility of their own transportation without the associated costs.

Another hidden benefit of carpools? Many highways offer special high-occupancy vehicle lanes specifically for carpools, so not only can you save money, but in some cases you can also cut down on irritating traffic jams.

Shop smart
If you're looking to buy a car for your commute, you're in a unique position, as you have the ability to plan right from the get-go. One main cash sink most felt by consumers is the gas budget, so choosing a ride based on fuel efficiency can help ease the pain your wallet would otherwise feel thanks to a daily commute. CNBC outlined some models known for being good on gas, such as the Ford Focus. Chevrolet also has a selection of gas-conscious models, including the Volt – an electric car using no gas at all. As a bonus, such cars also tend to see better maintenance and reliability ratings, saving you money across a variety of channels. 

When the time comes 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 department dedicated to helping you afford the used car, truck or van that's right for you.

One criterion for purchasing a car that may get overlooked until it comes time to sit down for the test drive is whether the car in question has an automatic or a manual transmission. While far more widespread in previous years, manual transmissions have been admittedly phased out somewhat in the majority of the consumer car market. However, especially when looking at used cars, being prepared to encounter a manual transmission and knowing how to drive stick can still be very valuable.

Sticking with the stick?
You may be asking yourself if you really need to learn how to drive stick. After all, cars with manual transmissions are much less common today than they were even a decade ago. In fact, according to CNN, roughly 82 percent of cars made in the U.S. featured automatic transmissions as far back as the '50s. That said, stick shifts have never really gone away, and have in fact seen something of a minor jump recently. In 2012, 7 percent of auto sales were attributed to manual transmissions, up from 4 percent the previous year.

Even if you're not planning on buying a car with a manual transmission yourself, knowing how to drive stick should still be a skill you at least get the basics of. After all, you never know when you may encounter a manual rental car, or even need to take over for an incapacitated driver in an emergency situation.

Stay in the know
If you're seriously considering going down the manual transmission route, make sure you arm yourself with information on some of the more common myths. According to Edmunds, some of the biggest draws for drivers of stick-shift cars are the perception that they save on gas or are generally less expensive up front than their automatic counterparts. Bad news for those looking to bump a couple bucks off their final bill, those misconceptions simply aren't true. A skilled stick driver can save gas with deft shifting, but those just starting out will likely see better fuel efficiency from an automatic or a hybrid. Similarly, while manual transmission cars tend to cost less than the automatic version of the same model, this isn't always the case and certainly shouldn't be the deciding factor in your purchase decision.

When shopping for a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a dedicated finance team ready to help make your dream used vehicle an affordable reality.

With the economy being in something of a state of flux the past few years, it's understandable that money may be tight for a lot of people looking to make a car purchase. Especially for those who have had issues with credit or even bankruptcy in the past, it's easy for the trip to the dealership to be a source of anxiety rather than one of excitement. Fortunately, buying a car doesn't have to be as impossible as your financial situation may make it out to be. As long as you keep a few key points in mind, car ownership can be a very real part of your future.

Master your loan
At the core of the car buying experience is the car loan, and if you're coming from a position of less-than-stellar credit, this is sure to be a source of stress for you. Fortunately, bad credit doesn't have to tank your chances at financing a car. According to Edmunds, it's possible to get approved for a loan with bad credit, but it may impact your interest rate.

In general, it's a good idea to get your loan paid off as quickly as possible. Longer-term loans may result in reduced monthly payments, but typically also go hand-in-hand with higher interest rates, meaning you're actually paying more overall in the long run. Also, the longer you hold on to your car, the less it will be worth when it comes time to trade it in for another one.

Don't fret the default
It happens sometimes. Tight economic times can leave even the most fastidious of us on a shoestring budget, and occasionally the worst can happen and loan repayments may be missed. Though these instances may seem like catastrophes, it's important to keep them in perspective and understand that it's not the end of the world.

AutoTrader was quick to counsel that missed payments aren't synonymous with instant repossession. In fact, dealers want to avoid having to repossess a car almost as much as you do, since that represents a significant forfeiture of their potential money from your car. In fact, many lenders are more than willing to work with drivers to establish a solution to the missed payment problem. Whether adjusting the due date of the payment, refinancing the loan or another more creative solution, as long as you keep the lines of communication open, you should be all right.

If you're looking to buy 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 ready to help get you approved for a loan.

Go outside and pop your trunk. It's all right, I'll wait. Was it filled with old camping equipment? A distressing number of old shoes? A single glove? Those chairs that come in bags – you know the ones? Unfortunately, all the space being taken up by junk in your trunk is space that isn't being used to store more useful items. With all the time you spend in your car, and all the stress it goes through, you need to make sure you're prepared to deal with a variety of potential emergency situations, so make sure your trunk is packed with some basic essentials.

Maintenance quick fixes
Just because you may not be an auto mechanic that doesn't mean you shouldn't have some basic tools on hand for whatever minor maintenance challenges crop up. Even if the world of auto repair is a mysterious black box of fear and complicated machinery, you can still benefit from being prepared. A spare tire and jumper cables are a must, according to MSN Autos. Even if you don't know how to use these tools, having them on hand will enable others to help you more effectively in an emergency. A tire repair kit consisting of an inflater and sealer are good things to keep on hand even with a spare tire. A pressure gauge is a good idea for making sure your tires don't get too deflated and compromise performance and safety. And of course, what DIY maintenance kit would be complete without the ubiquitous duct tape?

Safety first
In the unlikely and unfortunate event of a medical emergency or accident, having the right tools on hand is essential. Nobody's expecting you to turn your car into St. John's Ambulance but a basic first-aid kit can provide you with the resources to contain a potentially disastrous situation until professional help arrives. A flashlight should be a car kit mainstay, as well as orange traffic pylons or flares so that you can keep a safety zone around yourself if you need to pull off to the side of the road. 

If you're in the market for a car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, a knowledgeable and helpful sales staff and an in-house finance team ready to help you finance the used vehicle of your dreams.

You're driving home from work and you feel the familiar buzz of your phone in your pocket. At this point reaching for your phone has become almost an instinctive reaction. But you should think twice before you text your friends to catch you up on the latest "Game of Thrones" spoilers while you wait at a red light. Distracted driving is becoming a serious epidemic. Not not only is it dangerous to you and the drivers you share the road with, but with several states cracking down on the practice lately, it can also lead to financial and legal trouble for you as well.

Texting context
In the age of smartphones, texting has become more common for a lot of people than tying their shoes. Unfortunately, this often translates into drivers sending and receiving texts while they're behind the wheel. According to TextingAndDrivingSafety.com, sending a text, tweeting or updating a Facebook post while you're in the driver's seat is one of the most dangerous things you can do. In fact, texting while driving is six times more likely to cause an accident than driving while drunk, according to the data. Picking up your phone to text makes you 23 times as likely to crash than not texting at all.

Many states are starting to beef up their no-texting policies. In New Jersey, for example, a third offense nets you three demerit points on your license. Not only are you looking at a costly ticket and possible license suspension, but according to Cars.com, such penalties can also hike up your insurance premiums.

Hands-free isn't off the hook
It's a common misconception that hands-free and automated phone systems are safer than their manual counterparts because you're able to keep your hands at 10-and-2. 

"While many drivers honestly believe they are making the safe choice by using a hands-free device, it's just not true," David Teater of the National Safety Council told the source. 

Your hands may be free, but the real issue is your attention. Attention you're giving to the conversation is focus that you're taking away from driving, watching the road, paying attention to cars around you and looking out for potential hazards.

When the time comes to purchase a car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. There are hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and the in-house finance team is on hand to help you finance your favorite used car, truck or van.

Do you know if your identification is in order? It may seem like a deceptively simple question, but New Jersey has instituted a new 6-point system of identification that you'll need to learn for everything, including and especially getting or renewing your license. Named for the new point value assigned to different documents required to add up to six "points," motorists will now be responsible for presenting both a primary and secondary form of identification. Before you head down to the dealership or the MVC, make sure you brush up on the basics of this new system so you can be prepared if you ever find yourself on the business end of a traffic stop.

The basics
The biggest thing you may be wondering about 6-point identification is what exactly it entails. It's a new system implemented by the state of New Jersey meant to impose stricter regulation on what is and is not acceptable identification for state document purposes. According to the State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, you'll need to make sure you have four pieces of identification ready to meet the requirements. In addition to a social security number and proof of address, you'll now need to make sure you have one primary and one secondary piece of identification. This may seem extensive, but it's with good reason. The system has been implemented to help reduce the occurrence of identity theft, potentially saving you time, money and hassle.

Meeting the requirements
Now that you know what class of documents you'll need, it's a good idea to brush up on what exactly you can use so that the next time you head to the MVC you're prepared. Fortunately, while the new system may seem complicated, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that more than likely, you've already got everything you need. In fact, if you've got a passport or your birth certificate, a current driver's license, a signed ATM card and a current credit card bill on hand, you are all set. The MVC website suggested this document combo as the most common and most easily fulfilled example of how to meet the new requirements, but if you've never traveled abroad don't fret – there is a helpful online guide available to walk you through exactly what options you have for meeting the 6-point identification requirements.

Once you've got your identification in order and are ready to shop for a car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team ready to help you make your chosen used car, truck or van affordable.