Winter is a popular time for families to pile in a car and head out to snow-capped mountains, cozy ski lodges and other seasonal destinations. While this can be a stellar way to bond with loved ones, it often requires groups to travel great distances on unfamiliar icy roads. To ensure that every member of the family reaches the vacation spot safely, drivers should make sure they follow a few simple tips for a better overall experience.

“Driving in the snow can be a challenging and potentially dangerous activity, and drivers must be fully prepared for all scenarios,” said Tom Kelley, the vice president of Thrifty International. “Therefore we decided to share some helpful safe driving advice to anyone who plans to get behind the wheel for business or pleasure over the next month.”

Most motorists are familiar with the basics of safe winter driving. Driving slowly is always important, as accelerating, braking and turning all take more time in rough conditions. Because of this, you should also be increasing following distance between your car and others on the road.

Good visibility is essential, so make sure you are cleaning all snow and ice off the windows, lights and mirrors. However, it is important only to use proper tools like ice scrapers to complete this task. Pouring hot water over the surfaces could lead to costly damage.

If you do find yourself stuck in the snow, try shifting your vehicle into high gear. Then, keeping the wheels straight, try gently moving the car back and forth until you can free it from the snow.

It may be a smart move to take your car in for a tune up before setting off on a family adventure. The Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction can provide the maintenance you need, as the garage caters to the public and is familiar with addressing a wide variety of issues.

Rough winter weather has impacted most of the country in the past several weeks, and even Southern regions that don't typically get snow and ice were hit by storms. With inclement weather wreaking havoc on much of the nation and leaving drivers stranded in the cold, many motorists are taking this time to reevaluate their car maintenance to ensure they are ready for any type of conditions. 

"When unforeseen events occur, like severe weather or a major accident, your car could become your home for hours," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "… It's never good to gamble with safety when it comes to your vehicle, so if you haven't had your vehicle checked recently, now is the time to be car care aware and get a thorough vehicle inspection, including a brake inspection, battery check and tune up." 

The Car Care Council recommends all drivers survey the basic maintenance features of their automobiles before heading out, especially if the forecast calls for snow or ice. In addition to the brakes and battery, make sure the heater and defroster are functioning properly. Drivers should also be checking the lights, antifreeze levels, and tire pressure. 

Even if all of the mechanical aspects of the car are in good shape, packing an emergency kit is still a safe bet. Start with blankets and spare clothing, along with bottled water, snacks and any necessary medications. Adding items such as a flashlight, jumper cables, matches, and an ice scraper is also a smart idea. 

Any drivers who are wary of looming winter weather should be sure to take their vehicle in for a tune up. The Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto is ideal for performing these tasks, as it caters to the public and is full of professionals capable of addressing any issues you may have. 

Anyone who has been mulling over the prospect of purchasing a used car may find that January is the perfect time to make such an investment. With a growing number of pre-owned vehicles available for sale, drivers have many options to choose from and can likely find the perfect automobile – within their budget. 

According to The Street, the period from January through early February is the prime time to shop for a used car due to the sheer amount of product available. December saw the best new-car sales in six years, and many of those buyers traded in older models to make the purchase. The bulk of those used cars remain on lots across the country, and the growing supply could mean more options and lower prices. 

"If you traded in a vehicle in December, it's more likely than not still available [for resale] in January," Richard Arca, of Edmunds.com, told The Street. 

As an added bonus, many of these used cars are only a few years old, so the features and technology included are still helpful and relevant. That is certainly a huge boon for buyers, as the used cars for sale still offer many of the same benefits as newer models, making them a wise investment. 

If you think now is the right time to take advantage of the many used car deals available, head out to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot has hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans for potential buyers to browse through, and with so many options, you'll be able to find one that fits your budget. Those who still need a bit of help can check out the financing department, which offers insight into different auto loans and payment plans. 

The prospect of being stranded on the side of the road in the middle of winter is not one that many drivers look forward to. To prevent extensive damage and decrease the amount of time you are stuck, you should have a few key items that can help out in the event of a problem. State Farm recently released a study detailing the essential tools that you should have stored in the car, especially during the winter season. 

"Even on a relatively short trip, you can find yourself stranded for several hours. Whether it's because of a flat tire, an empty fuel tank or treacherous conditions like ice or fog, it's important to be prepared," said John Nepomuceno, an auto safety research administrator for State Farm. "These new findings highlight the importance of having the right emergency equipment so you can get safely back on the road sooner." 

State Farm listed a few tools as being the most important to have on hand. These include a spare tire, windshield scraper, jumper cables, first-aid kit, road salt, flashlight, a hazard triangle or road flares and a tarp for use during vehicle maintenance. Drivers should also have water bottles, nonperishable foods and blankets, which can be especially essential in the winter months. 

The study found that, while 96 percent of drivers have at least one of these recommended items, only 5 percent keep all of them stocked. Having any one of these products can make a difference in the event of an accident or breakdown, so having all of them in a trunk can be a huge help. 

You could have the entire emergency kit stored in your vehicle, but if the maintenance isn't up to snuff, you might run into serious problems. To prevent that from happening, schedule an appointment at the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto. The garage caters to the public and is capable of addressing many issues you may have. 

People across the U.S. got a harsh welcome to winter thanks to the recent polar vortex, which brought subzero temperatures, snow and icy conditions to much of the country. While dealing with cold weather is nothing new for people on the East Coast, the fluctuations in temperature, coupled with several remaining weeks of the winter season, may have some drivers questioning their vehicle maintenance and wondering if their car can handle the cold.

“Subzero temperatures can stress out a vehicle, as well as its driver,” said Rich White, the executive director of the Car Care Council. “The recent record low temperatures are a harsh reminder to be car care aware. During this break from the cold and snow, motorists should invest a little time to check over their vehicles so they have one less worry when arctic temperatures strike again.”

Freezing temperatures can cause damage to cars, so it is important not to let up on basic car care. Checking tire pressure and fluid levels should be done regularly, and other components of a vehicle, such as the HVAC system and lighting, need to be monitored. These can be extremely important to safety during the winter months.

Similarly, if you have used four-wheel drive in the recent weeks, make sure it is still working properly. Professionals can check to see that nothing has been damaged within this system, and they may be able to inspect snow tires, tire chains, winter windshield wipers and other cold-weather accessories as well.

It’s not too late to make sure your vehicle is ready to handle the remaining months of winter. If you have any issues that need to be addressed, schedule an appointment at the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto. The garage caters to the public and is capable of handling maintenance you may need done.

Men and women do a lot of things differently, so it makes sense that each gender handles car ownership differently as well. While old stereotypes point to the idea that men tend to be closer to their vehicles, some new data shows that women are increasingly forming special relationships with automobiles. 

DMEautomotive recently released the results of a survey it conducted, which asked more than 2,000 people about their relationship with their cars. The poll found that about 1 in 5 drivers name their vehicles, which equals about 50 million people. Of those monikers, almost 1 in 4 begin with the letter "B." In fact, nicknames like Baby, Betsy, Bessie and Black Beauty were among the most popular labels. 

Millions of people name their cars, but women were more likely to do so than men. Women were also apt to refer to their vehicles as female – about 88 percent of women saw the machine as a fellow girl, while 55 percent of men viewed their cars as female as well. 

Outside of gender, age also played a role in whether or not a driver named a vehicle. Millennials, or people ages 18 to 34, were significantly more likely to name a car than older motorists. 

"While we've seen numerous headlines on the fact that Millennials are the least car-passionate generation in history, they're far more likely to personify and name their vehicles," said Doug Van Soch, a vice president at DMEautomotive. "This indicates an emotional and personal vehicle attachment in these demographics, one that auto marketers might want to explore and leverage."

Anyone searching for a used car for sale, regardless of age or gender, can find what they're looking for a NJ State Auto Auction. The lot is home to hundreds of CARFAX-certified vehicles, and those cars, trucks and vans can meet the needs of a diverse array of drivers.