Having a car that starts up smoothly and runs without any obvious problems may be enough to convince drivers that they are taking care of their ride. However, motorists need to invest in preventative maintenance to ensure they are doing everything they can to be safe on the roads. 

"Learning how to handle common maintenance issues is beneficial to anyone who gets behind the wheel," said John Nielsen, managing director of a division of AAA. "Proper maintenance can extend the life of your vehicle and help prevent costly repairs." 

Not only can maintenance improve the functioning of a vehicle, but it also helps drivers stay safe – and keep others on the road out of harm's way as well. For example, having working wipers can improve visibility so motorists can accurately see what is in front of them, while frequently examining tire tread allows car owners to know when they need to upgrade their wheels to maintain proper grip on slick roads. 

AAA recommends drivers also find a repair shop or maintenance workers they can trust. This strong relationship evolves over time, but it is helpful for everyone involved. Motorists can feel secure in their decision to get maintenance done, and a professional develops a working knowledge of a vehicle that can pay dividends in the long run. The worker may be able to zero in on issues or spend less time examining an automobile, allowing drivers to get back on the road faster. 

When you need a car tune up or maintenance check, bring your vehicle to the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction. The garage caters to the public and is able to handle whatever issues you may have, and should your automobile need any extreme repairs, you can instead browse through the hundreds of CARFAX-certified used cars for sale on the lot. 

From Oct. 18 to 26, teens around the country will be taking part in National Teen Driver Safety Week. The goal of the week-long campaign is to raise awareness of the dangers that young drivers face on the road, alerting both teens and their parents to the steps they can take to ensure a safer experience. 

One of the biggest supporters of National Teen Driver Safety Week is State Farm. The insurance company aims to bring together teens, parents and other involved parties in an effort to have everyone working together to encourage safer practices on the roads. By getting everyone on the same page and fostering an open environment, State Farm hopes to keep all young motorists secure. 

More than 3,000 high schools are participating in the week-long campaign, but that is just the beginning for many drivers. 

"Research has shown it will take the involvement of entire communities to keep teens safer on the road; there's not a one-step solution to reducing teen vehicle crashes," said Chris Mullen, director of technology research at State Farm. "Everyone needs to play a role – parents need to monitor their teens' driving practices more closely, teens must obey driving laws and be considerate passengers, and all states must enact and enforce strong graduated licensing laws for new drivers." 

When your teen is ready to get behind the wheel, you're going to want to make sure you provide them with a used car that is high-performing and offers top-notch safety features. To search through hundreds of viable options, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot is home to many CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans that can be a great choice for young motorists. 

October is Battery Safety Month, so now is a great time to take a look at what's going on under the hood of your car. Ignoring a vehicle's battery can lead to problems down the road, and handling the battery without proper knowledge can result in personal injuries or expensive auto repair. It's important for drivers to get regular checks of their car battery and learn to use it safely, and motorists can take advantage of Battery Safety Month for just that. 

According to Prevent Blindness America, dealing with auto batteries results in approximately 6,000 eye injuries each year. Various other burns or harm can come about as well, which makes learning how to handle batteries extremely important. 

"Auto Battery Safety Month is a great time to raise awareness on how to avoid risks when changing a car battery, as well as on how to properly and safely jump start your car," said Brian Hafer, vice president of marketing for AutoMD.com. "… Whether dead or not, batteries can release an explosive hydrogen gas, and all it takes is a small spark to ignite the gas." 

Drivers who end up having to adjust car batteries should take steps to ensure safety. Check over the owner's manual for advice, and don't attempt to fiddle with the gear unless you know what you're doing. You should also wear eye protection and keep any sparks or open flames away from the hood. 

If you've had problems with your car battery in the past or simply want to get it checked as part of a regular tune up, consider bringing your car in to the Total Car Care Center at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The garage caters to the public and can take care of any issues you may have. 

Finding the right used car to invest in goes far beyond test driving models and inspecting the outside. Drivers also need to look into the history of their prospective rides. It doesn't matter if a vehicle is a relatively recent model or has seen years and years of use – it could have some type of repair or issue in its past that you should know about. 

Reputable used car dealers will be more than happy to help you with this research, so pay attention to these areas of research: 

Check the title history
Getting the vehicle identification number of a model and using it to find out the title history of a car is extremely important. Not only can it alert you as to past owners or uses, but it can also clue you in to past insurance issues, accidents and other events. A CARFAX report will give you part of this history, but a comprehensive write-up from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System may be your best bet. 

Get a service history
A vehicle may look like it's in good condition, but you won't really know about its past unless you take a look at the service history. This report will provide insight into the vehicle maintenance that a car has had, including oil changes, tire rotations, engine checks and other important actions, Money Talks reported. All of these small jobs can extend the life of a vehicle, and the work a model has had done can clue you in to some of the situations it has been involved in. 

When you're sifting through the multitude of used cars for sale, you may want to consider heading to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot is filled with hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, and it is more than capable of providing you with the history and quality you need. 

Animal collisions are one of the most common causes of car accidents. When wildlife unknowingly run into roads, they put themselves and surrounding drivers in harm's way. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about preventing animals from entering traffic, but drivers can take steps to make sure they are prepared for anything. 

Perhaps the most important thing is to remain alert and focused on the road at all times. This can be helped by outfitting a vehicle with properly working headlights and windshield wipers. Each of these components is designed to improve visibility and provide drivers with a comprehensive view of the road – something that can go a long way toward spotting animals. 

"A driver may encounter any number of scenarios at any given moment behind the wheel," said Dr. William Van Tassel, manager of driver training programs for AAA. "Remaining alert and limiting distractions is a must. Animals are unpredictable, so the sooner you see them in the roadway, the more time you will have to safely react." 

Drivers should also make sure their brakes are working well. Braking, not swerving, is the most effective way to stay safe even if an animal runs in front of a car, and making sure the gear works perfectly is essential to avoiding major accidents. 

If you have found yourself in a collision with an animal or want to prevent this scenario from ever occurring, you should make sure to have maintenance done on your car to fix problem areas. This is where the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction comes in handy. The garage caters to the public and can fix any issues a vehicle has to get it back in peak driving condition. 

The auto industry has made great strides in recent years, and that means that vast improvements have sprung up in used cars. As new vehicles continue to evolve and adopt new technologies, higher-quality used cars are entering the market – and that is something any driver can take advantage of. 

Vehicle displays are one of the areas where prospective drivers should see some improvement in the future. The dashboard displays were once restricted to analog readouts and sparse data, but recent changes are incorporating more streamlined designs and comprehensive information into the displays. That is good news for drivers who care about the performance and maintenance of used vehicles, as well as those who want a sleek appearance. 

These LCD displays were once restricted to expensive new cars. However, as those models become used cars for sale, even drivers on a budget can reap the benefits of the technology. Not only do these state-of-the-art dashboards display things like the speedometer, fuel gauge, fuel economy and other traditional measurements, but they also allow you to sync smartphones and music players while viewing data in a more user-friendly format. 

Of course, having a digital display does mean drivers have another area of vehicle maintenance they will need to focus on. Electrical issues may disrupt the dashboard, which can cause some problems if it interferes with necessary information. However, these instances are rare and can usually be fixed by a professional without much trouble. 

Whether you're specifically looking for digital displays or are open to any features in a vehicle, you should bring your search to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot has hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, and all of the pre-owned vehicles are capable of providing a safe and high-quality driving experience for motorists. 

Texting while driving is one of the biggest threats to the safety of motorists today. That's why Andrew R. Cuomo, governor of New York, is taking steps to stop the dangerous action. He recently revealed that the state would begin offering texting zones along highways by designating areas along major roads that will give drivers a place to pull over and use cellphones. 

Nearly 300 signs are being installed throughout the state to label 91 texting zones. Most of these areas will take advantage of existing rest stops present around New York, but as the program grows new sections will open to the public. The state hopes that by advertising these areas and increasing the number of traffic tickets given out for texting while driving, it can cut down on the number of motorists who partake in this dangerous behavior. 

"New York State is continuing to use every tool at its disposal to combat texting while driving," Cuomo said. "In addition to tougher penalties, new detection methods for state police and ongoing public outreach efforts, we are now launching special texting zones to allow motorists to pull over and use their phones. … With this new effort, we are sending a clear message to drivers that there is no excuse to take your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road, because your text can wait until next texting zone." 

Avoiding texting while driving is just one important safety initiative, but drivers need to do more when they get behind the wheel. The first step is making sure a vehicle's amenities are up to par. If they are not, drivers may want to consider shopping around for a used car at NJ State Auto Auction. The lot has hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans that are safe and reliable. 

Keeping a car running for years requires dedication on the part of a driver. Not only do you need to do your best to avoid accidents or collisions, but you also need to invest in preventative maintenance that ensures every aspect of the vehicle is functioning as intended. 

Some of the most important preventative maintenance includes replenishing a car's fluids, such as the oil, antifreeze and wiper fluids. You should also be examining brake pads to see if they need to be replaced, as well as regularly changing the engine air filter, rotating the tires and upgrading the windshield wipers when they begin to leave streaks. 

"If you're like most Americans, you're busier than ever and you may not think twice about putting off vehicle maintenance," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "However, neglected auto care almost always means much higher costs down the road in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value." 

To prevent this issue, White recommended following a regular maintenance schedule. Employing reminders or updates that let you know when it's time to get a certain aspect of a vehicle checked out may also be a wise decision, as it allows you to 

There are a few options available for those who are concerned about the performance of a vehicle. Some may want to take vehicles in for preventative maintenance, and garages like the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction offer an array of services that can improve the functionality of a vehicle. The auction lot also has plenty of CARFAX-certified used cars for sale, so those drivers who want to invest in a new ride can check out a few of the available models. 

Part of the challenge of shopping for a car is finding a vehicle that you feel comfortable sitting in. This can be particularly difficult for shorter drivers, as many of the cars made in recent years are not designed to accommodate their smaller frame. 

Many newer models are created with a higher beltline, which is the spot where the window glass ends and the metal of the frame begins. As this creeps higher, it becomes more difficult for shorter drivers to have clear, uninterrupted visibility of the road ahead. This forces them to fiddle with the seat in an attempt to see, which in turn can cause them to strain to reach the pedals. 

"This can give the vehicle a more assertive look, but it does little to improve sight lines and can make a vehicle feel claustrophobic for smaller drivers," said Warren Clarke, editor of Edmunds.com. "As a result, short car shoppers making such a big purchase might have trouble getting comfortable with a lot of the new car choices available on the market."

While new cars are not well suited for shorter drivers, there are a number of older models that fit the bill. Choosing the right type goes beyond picking a smaller car, however. Motorists should be on the lookout for narrow seat cushions and a wide front windshield, as these features make it easier for shorter drivers to reach the pedals and view the road. 

Drivers in the market for a used car that is comfortable and practical will want to make the trip to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot has hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans that could be the perfect choice for any prospective buyer. 

Now that October has officially arrived, it's time for drivers to start preparing themselves and their vehicles for cold weather. Much of this regular maintenance will consist of checking the brakes or refilling antifreeze, but another important aspect that needs to be evaluated is the engine. In fact, getting a comprehensive engine check – or even having an engine rebuilt – can provide a big boost to a car's performance. 

There are several ways an engine can be examined and repaired in time for colder temperatures. For example, motorists can take steps to have the cooling system or air filter of an engine replaced or checked out to ensure that the motor is functioning at a high level during the winter. 

The last thing drivers want to is to find themselves stuck on the side of the road in inclement weather, and getting scheduled maintenance on the engine is a great way to avoid this situation. 

"Before severe weather arrives, it is a good idea to make sure your vehicle's engine is running effectively and efficiently," said Rich Simko, chairman of the Engine Rebuilders Council. "If you find that your car or truck is experiencing major engine damage, but is in relatively good shape otherwise, consider repowering it with a rebuilt engine so you know you can count on it when the temperatures drop." 

The Total Car Care Center at New Jersey State Auto Auction is available to help drivers with any maintenance issues that may come up throughout the year. It caters to the public and could be the ideal place to get a vehicle checked out before the cold temperatures set in.