Nothing puts a damper on your day quite like your car breaking down while you're stuck in traffic. It's not only an inconvenient situation. It can also be extremely intimidating if it's never happened to you before. Whatever you do, stay calm. Panicking in the middle of the road will only make matters more stressful.

There aren't many ways to prevent a breakdown, but there are certainly steps you can take to ease the situation. Consider the following tips:

1. Prepare for the worst
You never know when something could go wrong with your ride. Keeping up with your car's routine maintenance services is helpful, but that's not always a safe bet. That's why you should always take precautionary measures before you hit the road. AARP suggested packing an emergency roadside kit to prepare for an unexpected breakdown. Include the following in the box:

• Emergency signaling devices.
• A pocket knife.
• A flashlight.
• A first-aid kit.
• Water.
• Non-perishable food items.

Before winter's arrival, add a warm blanket, hat, scarf and pair of gloves to the kit.

2. Turn on your hazard lights
Once you've realized there's something wrong with your car, turn on your hazards. This notifies the other drivers that something is wrong, and that they need to continue driving around you.

3. Move to a safe spot
After turning on your hazards, The Travelers Indemnity Company said you need to move your car over to a safe spot, whether it's on the side of the highway or a side street. This can keep the traffic flowing and prevent an accident from occurring. If your vehicle won't start back up at all, just remain inside and call for immediate assistance.

Move your car to a safe spot on the highway.

4. Set up the emergency equipment
If you've moved to a safe place and have the ability to leave the car, Esurance suggested setting up your flares and triangles right away if you have them. Both flares should be behind your vehicle – about 10 feet from each other – and the triangle should be closer to you and your vehicle. This helps passers-by see you despite darkness, rain or fog. It also gives the emergency assistance an easy ticket to find your location.

If you don't have the triangles or flares, simply pop your hood. It's the universal sign of a breakdown.

5. Use good judgment with strangers
It's a nice gesture when strangers pull over to help you out, but you want to be careful. Consumer Reports suggested exercising caution when someone unfamiliar approaches. If a suspicious person stops to help, let the stranger know you're OK and that a tow truck is on the way.

6. Always stay with your car
Moving away from your vehicle during a breakdown is never a good idea. Walking around aimlessly on the highway is unsafe. And if you've left your vehicle on the side street to go grab a burger while you wait, you could miss the tow truck. Staying with your car is a safe and practical move during this emergency situation.

Make sure you don't leave you car while it's broken down.

7. Clean up your mess
If the reason you're broken down is because your fender or another car part fell off, make sure to pick it up before you leave. It's not only wasteful to leave such things behind, but it's also not good for the environment. Do your part and clean up the mess you've made before you flee the scene – just be sure to wait for traffic to die down if it's out in the middle of the road.

You can't predict when you'll break down, but you can do your best to make sure your car is always in its best shape. For routine maintenance services, head to New Jersey Auto Auction. Our technicians can fix up your ride and ensure you'll be safe on the road.

If they do find that your car is no longer suitable for the road, just check out our lot! We have hundreds of quality Carfax-certified vehicles that sell for a great price – perfect for an emergency situation.

Owning a car makes life more convenient, but it comes with a price. Between paying for gas and insurance, as well as making sure your vehicle is always up to date with maintenance services, you have to hand over a pretty penny. But while being a car owner can be expensive, there are loopholes you can take to save some money.

Here are 10 of the easiest ways to save cash as the owner of a vehicle:

1. Reconsider your current car
If the car you're driving is a gas hog or requires service more often than you can afford, it's time to trade it in. Search for an inexpensive vehicle with little to no damage and is great on gas. Making an entirely new investment might seem like a huge expense at first, but it'll save you more money in the long run.

2. Shop frugally for a new ride
When you decide to buy a new car, don't let the dealer talk you into getting fancy accessories. Those extra add-ons are only going to add to the monthly bill. If you're looking to save a lot of money, just find yourself a vehicle that's going to get you from point A to point B safely. After all, do you really need the sound system and heated seats?

If you need to save money, your car doesn't need to have all the bells and whistles.

3. Search for the most affordable insurance
If your car insurance seems to be burning a hole in your pocket, it's time to search for a more affordable plan. Switching insurance can save you money, just take some advice from Defensive Driving.com and don't immediately take the first quote you get. Instead, shop around until you find the best deal that caters to your budget. Some companies will even set you up on a plan that lets you pay biannually instead of monthly, which can also save you a lot of cash in the long run.

4. Keep up with routine services
Showing your car some TLC throughout the year might seem like an unnecessary added expense to you, but it'll actually save you money, according to what Leona Dalavai Scott, editor of AutoInc. told Bankrate.

"If you maintain your car, you're avoiding expensive repairs down the road," she said.

Think of the mechanic as your car's doctor. By taking your ride in for routine services with him, he'll make sure everything is running smoothly to avoid a potential breakdown – something that could cost a huge chunk of money in repairs. That means changing the tires, oil and filters whenever necessary.

5. Learn how to maintain your car on your own
Maintaining your car is key, but that doesn't necessarily mean you have to take it to the mechanic. If possible, learn how to do these services on your own. A good portion of the price you pay at the auto shop goes to labor fees, and you can avoid these expenses by taking care of things on your own. Changing your tires and oil are easier tasks than you think, just take a look at these guides.

6. Wash your car on your own
Taking your car to the automatic carwash might be convenient, but it's not the least expensive option. Simply take care of the task on your own! Invest in a bucket, some sponges, car washing liquid and wax that'll last you the entire summer. Buying these tools to wash your car at home is just another investment that'll save you money down the road.

7. Search for cheap gas
Don't just buy gas at the station that's right up the road. Drive around and search for the lowest priced fuel. Make matters easier on yourself and download an app that does the job for you, such as GasBuddy. Simply pull it up, set your location and it'll find the best gas prices near you.

8. Be mindful of your gas usage
Owning a car might make getting around more convenient, but it's not an excuse to be lazy. If you can avoid driving somewhere to save gas, just walk. It's not only a money saving option – it's good for the environment and it's great exercise.

If your destination is in walking distance, leave your car at home.

9. Drive cautiously
When you speed, accelerate senselessly and brake hard, you're wasting gas – which also means you're blowing money. In fact, research by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that aggressive driving can lower highway gas mileage by 33 percent. Drive cautiously and be mindful about your gas and you'll likely see a difference in your gas mileage.

10. Carpool with your buddies
When you choose to carpool with friends or family members, you're saving money in so many ways, according to what Christine Maley-Grubl, project manager at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in San Francisco told Bankrate.

"When you're carpooling, you're saving money on gas, on tolls and on maintenance," she said. "You can use the high-occupancy vehicle lanes, so you get to work faster."

Talk to your colleagues and see if they'd consider carpooling – it could save all of you time and money!

If you've decided to shop for a new car but aren't sure where to get started, stop by New Jersey Auto Auction. Our salesman will introduce you to a lot full of inexpensive Carfax-certified vehicles to choose from.

Summer's almost over and your car made it through the extreme temperatures. While it's going to get a break from the heat, that doesn't mean you shouldn't keep taking care of maintenance, especially before fall's arrival. After all, the cooler temperature and inclement weather will be on its way before you know it.

It's important to weatherize your car before every change in season. Here are 10 tips on how to get your ride ready for autumn:

1. Check the brakes
As the temperatures get colder, you'll want to make sure your brakes are working well to prepare for slick roads. To ensure your safety, the Car Connection suggested taking your car in to get your brakes checked. Most auto shops will inspect them for no charge, so the precautionary step is worth it.

2. Monitor the tire pressure
Much like your brakes, your tires need to be ready for inclement weather. That means frequently checking on the air pressure either manually or by paying attention if your vehicle has a dashboard alert for tire pressure. According to the Car Care Council, air pressure in a tire decreases one to two pounds for every 10-degree change in temperature. Look at your owner's manual for suggested pressure levels.

3. Check your spare, too
When monitoring the pressure of your tires, be sure to check out your spare. Typically, the inflation pressure for it will be listed on its side, according to Bankrate. If you can't find it, check the owner's manual or seek advice from a mechanic.

Check your tire pressure this summer to prepare for fall.

4. Top off windshield washer fluid
Keeping your windshield washer fluid topped off is an important safety precaution, especially when preparing for inclement weather. But don't just refill it with the same solution you've been using all summer, according to what Tony Molla, spokesman for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence told Bankrate.

"In fall, windshield-washer fluid needs to be replaced with a solvent that is suited for use in cold weather," he said.

This special fluid only costs about $2 to $4 per gallon, so it won't set you back much.

5. Replace the wiper blades
Fall is the best time to replace your wiper blades. Molla told Bankrate he suggests taking care of this maintenance service before winter for many reasons.

"You generally use your wipers more frequently in the fall and winter," he said. "They'll also be taking a lot more abuse from road grime and windshield-washer solvent, so it's best to have a fresh set."

Replacing the blades is a simple service and will only cost you about $10 to $20.

6. Fix broken lights
The days are going to get shorter, which means you'll be driving in the dark more often in the fall than you were in the summer. To prepare, make sure all of your lights are working properly. That includes headlights, taillights, parking lights, brake lights and emergency flashers.

7. Make sure your heater works
If you neglect to make sure your heater is working before fall, you might find yourself shivering in your seat on a cold day. To keep this from occurring, just monitor it frequently or take it to the shop for a thorough inspection.

8. Get the battery checked
The older your battery is, the less likely it will hold a charge if it dies. Nobody wants to sit on the side of the road on a cold fall day waiting for a tow truck. Take your car in to the mechanic and ask for a battery inspection. If the technician finds corrosion on the terminals or a loose connection in the cables, it's likely time for a replacement.

Take your car to the auto shop to see if the battery needs to be replaced before fall.

9. Replace the air filter
Bankrate reported to replace your engine air filters twice per year, so take care of it this fall if you haven't since the beginning of the year. A dirty filter restricts airflow and fuel economy, which can ultimately worsen your car's overall performance. This is a simple task that will take a maintenance worker a few minutes to take care of, just call in to schedule an appointment. 

10. Change the oil
This is something you should keep up with year-round, but if your car is due for an oil change, take it to the shop before fall's arrival. Dirty oil can hurt the engine and lead to permanent damage if it's not changed.

Preparing your car for fall doesn't have to be a hassle. Just bring it in to New Jersey Auto Auction and let our mechanics take care of all of your maintenance needs.