Living in the country offers more relaxation than most communities – between the secluded houses, long dirt roads and lack of skyscrapers, you're sure to drive around in little to no traffic. Likewise, a suburban setting is mostly residential, so the most congestion you'll find will stem from the kids playing an intense game of street hockey. However, driving in the city can be an absolute disaster if you don't come up with a good strategy. Because let's face it – who really wants to sit in traffic for an hour when your office is only three miles away?

Don't worry – here are a few tips for finding the best car for city driving and mastering your route to avoid frustration:

Buy the right vehicle
Before you head to the big city, you need to consider your current ride. When you live in a suburban or rural setting, driving around a large SUV or pickup truck is fine – not exactly the case in the city. Before you tackle the congested one-way streets, AutoTrader strongly suggested picking a car that fits your needs, not necessarily your wants. Think about it this way: In the city, space is limited. So when it comes time to parallel park that fancy large vehicle you bought with the intention of showing it off, just forget it. If you don't really need that oversized ride, get rid of it. Consider a small compact car or sedan as your replacement for getting from point A to point B.

Another quick tip: Avoid leasing a car. You don't want to risk your vehicle getting damaged due to all of the commotion going on in the city. If you lease a car and notice scratches and scrapes before you return it, you could be subject to a paying for the repairs. Instead, just buy one of the quality used cars from our lot! If your car gets damaged in any way, just bring it back for our maintenance guys to take care of it.

How to drive
Once you've invested in a quality compact car, you're ready to venture out into the frenzy of the city streets. You can't expect the drive to be as easy as it is in the suburbs, so keep these tips in mind for driving safely through traffic:

1. Be conscious about mileage
City streets are a mess of stop-and-go traffic – and that can really affect your car if you're not driving properly. According to Edmunds, your gas mileage takes a beating too, so make sure you're not speeding up just to slow right back down. Accelerate lightly and coast whenever possible. And if you find yourself in a dead stop, switch gears into neutral. This will do your gas tank some serious good. Lastly, don't forget to keep your tank at least half full. After all, how many gas stations have you seen in the city? They're hard to come by, so you won't have many options – if any – for filling back up if you're on E. 

2. Stop switching lanes
Sure, there's a cars-length of room to squeeze into the next lane. But are you really going to get there any faster if you decide to move over? Keep the lane changing to a minimum while traveling in heavy traffic – this can reduce your chance of experiencing a fender bender at the worst time possible. Who really wants to be the reason traffic is backed up even worse?

Choose a lane and stay in it.

3. Avoid rush hour
This might be impossible for some, but if you can manage, try to stay off the city roads during rush hour. Generally, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., are the time frames when the city streets get most congested because everyone is trying to get to work or head back home – and they're all doing it at the same time. If you can avoid rush hour traffic, you'll save yourself the frustration that often results in road rage, which could ultimately lead to a collision occurring.

4. Always think big picture
Driving through the city offers an opportunity to view plenty of beautiful sights because there's so much going on. But, unfortunately, that's also a hazard that could lead you slamming into someone's rear end. When navigating through city streets, just remember to use all of your mirrors, side windows and entire windshield to view the big picture while you travel. Neglecting to keep an eye on every direction could lead to a collision, so just be careful.

5. Give yourself ample time
Navigating through a big city can be overwhelming and intimidating, especially if you're a first timer. That's why Big City Driver recommends giving yourself ample time to travel from your home to your office in the city every morning, This can ensure that you'll drive safely which will lessen your chance of speeding to get to work on time. Who knows – maybe you'll even avoid the city traffic completely!

Need a new ride to fit your city-living lifestyle? Come on over to NJ Auto Auction, where we have a lot full of Carfax-certified vehicles to choose from.

Buying a car is a lot like making any other decision – at the end of the day, you're the one who has the last word in choosing your fate. But there are a number of myths that stand in the way of reaching that final decision to buy, and even the craziest misconceptions can sway some choices. But don't worry – we've highlighted a few common car shopping superstitions to remove from your mind before you head to the dealership:

1. You can get a great deal on a rainy day
According to Edmunds, this is a common myth that many people believe. The idea is that nobody else will be out shopping for cars on a rainy day, so you'll be the only one to score the best deals. Unfortunately, this isn't true. On one hand, you could have a lot full of people who believed the same fable that you did. Or, you'll be jumping from car to car in the pouring rain, only to find yourself walking away in drenched clothing and lost hopes for a "incredible deal."

2. All car dealers are going to rip you off
It's your car dealer's job to make a return on investment for the dealership. That means he's probably going to offer you the vehicle for way more than it's worth. But that doesn't necessarily mean he's ripping you off – he's just doing his job. Instead of letting him get away with it during your car buying experience, you need to make sure you do your research. Autobytel stated there's really no excuse for getting overcharged nowadays. That's because you can search the internet and find the manufacturer's suggested retail price, similar prices being paid in your area, the worth of your trade-in and your interest rate qualification. Learn everything you need to know before heading to the dealer so you can counter his offer with a better one.

Make sure you do your research before heading to the dealership.

3. When you pay in cash, you get the better deal
There's no difference between handing over cash or paying with a loan. And while the dealership might think they're making it easier on themselves to just accept the stack of money, they'd make a better sale if they took the loan. For example, if you qualify for a loan at 5 percent and you get 7 percent from financing through the dealer, they're going to make that extra 2 percent. That's because financial institutions often give dealerships a good portion of the loan when you finance your car with them. Buying your car in cash might make you feel like a hot shot, but at the end of the day, that's the only benefit that comes out of it. 

4. Car reviews give you all the information you need
Sure, getting a second opinion before you purchase a new vehicle is always nice, especially if it's a good one. However, the whole idea of a second opinion is that it comes after yours, so you need to go check out the car for yourself before anything. It might be convenient to sit on your couch and browse the internet for a review on that car you want, but that shouldn't be where the decision is finalized. Make sure you get to that dealership and test drive the car for yourself before coming to a conclusion. After all, it's you who's going to be driving it around for the next 5 years or more, not that virtual friend of yours.

5. If you don't buy now, you'll never get the incredible offer
Sometimes, walking away from the dealer after looking into their best deal is difficult – especially if they tell you the bargain ends tomorrow. However, Cartelligent stated that unless you've found the car of your dreams that plans to go off the market tomorrow, you'll probably find a similar or better deal in a week or two. Don't settle for the low price if it's not the ride you want. Who knows, maybe your ideal car will end up showing up on that bargain lot soon!

Now that we've debunked those crazy car shopping myths, you're ready to get to the dealership! Come down to NJ Auto Auction, where we have a lot full of Carfax-certified vehicles we'd love you to take for a test drive.

While you might like the hot weather that comes with summer, your car isn't exactly a fan of those extreme temperatures. Excessive warmth can cause damage to your tires, battery and engine, and even keep your air conditioning system from running properly, according to Autotrader. However, with the routine maintenance and care, your ride will do just fine in the blazing heat.

Here are four tips for keeping your vehicle safe during the dog days of summer:

1. Get your fluids checked
During the summer months, monitoring your engine coolant is key. This fluid keeps your ride from overheating and ultimately breaking down. Most cars have a closed system for coolant, so checking and filling it is a simple task you can complete on your own. The same goes for your windshield washer fluid – it's easy to add and it's a must when you're driving in the summer, especially with the amount of bugs you'll likely squash during your road trip.

An oil change is always important, but it's especially crucial during the warmer months – when you don't change it, the engine becomes too hot, which isn't ideal in excessive heat. Eventually, if you keep skipping this maintenance task, your engine will shut down completely. Don't let this happen while you're on the road this summer, you'll end up drenched in sweat on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.

2. Monitor your battery
Did you know that the warm weather has an impact on your battery, too? According to the Allstate Blog, the liquid inside your battery evaporates as temperatures rise, causing it to die. If your battery is old, it might not even hold a charge or jump-start after this happens. It's common to forget about maintaining your battery, but you should make it a priority to replace it every three years or so. If you don't know how old your current one is, it's worth taking it to the shop to find out.

3. Change your tires
Extreme temperatures put added stress on your tires, according to Car and Driver. The heat will also cause your air pressure to rise. Be cautious and get your tire condition and air pressure checked monthly during the summer. Always be sure to rotate your tires and get them changed every 5,000 miles.

A new set of tires will help you ride smoothly all summer.

4. Maintain your air conditioning
There's nothing better than rolling down the windows and blasting your music on a summer's day, but only if the weather permits. If the temperatures are too high, you'll rely on your air conditioning to keep you and your friends cool. Therefore, it's important to have your system checked annually, especially if it seems like it's not working as efficiently as it should. Autotrader suggested checking your owner's manual to see when it's time to change your filter. Then, take it to the shop for some maintenance.

Saving your car is worth the cost
The maintenance services you should perform on your vehicle this summer might seem expensive, but they'll be worth it in the long run.

"It takes very little time and money to make sure your car runs properly during summer, and although breakdowns happen, they can definitely be minimized by taking a few extra preventive maintenance steps," executive director of Car Care Council Rich White told Car and Driver.

The season of summer might be coming to a close soon, but that doesn't mean the hot temperatures aren't going to stick around. To be cautious, consider taking your ride in for its routine maintenance at NJ Auto Auction. We have a service shop with technicians who will make certain your car is running smoothly.

While you might like the hot weather that comes with summer, your car isn't exactly a fan of those extreme temperatures. Excessive warmth can cause damage to your tires, battery and engine, and even keep your air conditioning system from running properly, according to Autotrader. However, with the routine maintenance and care, your ride will do just fine in the blazing heat.

Here are four tips for keeping your vehicle safe during the dog days of summer:

1. Get your fluids checked
During the summer months, monitoring your engine coolant is key. This fluid keeps your ride from overheating and ultimately breaking down. Most cars have a closed system for coolant, so checking and filling it is a simple task you can complete on your own. The same goes for your windshield washer fluid – it's easy to add and it's a must when you're driving in the summer, especially with the amount of bugs you'll likely squash during your road trip.

An oil change is always important, but it's especially crucial during the warmer months – when you don't change it, the engine becomes too hot, which isn't ideal in excessive heat. Eventually, if you keep skipping this maintenance task, your engine will shut down completely. Don't let this happen while you're on the road this summer, you'll end up drenched in sweat on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.

2. Monitor your battery
Did you know that the warm weather has an impact on your battery, too? According to the Allstate Blog, the liquid inside your battery evaporates as temperatures rise, causing it to die. If your battery is old, it might not even hold a charge or jump-start after this happens. It's common to forget about maintaining your battery, but you should make it a priority to replace it every three years or so. If you don't know how old your current one is, it's worth taking it to the shop to find out.

3. Change your tires
Extreme temperatures put added stress on your tires, according to Car and Driver. The heat will also cause your air pressure to rise. Be cautious and get your tire condition and air pressure checked monthly during the summer. Always be sure to rotate your tires and get them changed every 5,000 miles.

A new set of tires will help you ride smoothly all summer.

4. Maintain your air conditioning
There's nothing better than rolling down the windows and blasting your music on a summer's day, but only if the weather permits. If the temperatures are too high, you'll rely on your air conditioning to keep you and your friends cool. Therefore, it's important to have your system checked annually, especially if it seems like it's not working as efficiently as it should. Autotrader suggested checking your owner's manual to see when it's time to change your filter. Then, take it to the shop for some maintenance.

Saving your car is worth the cost
The maintenance services you should perform on your vehicle this summer might seem expensive, but they'll be worth it in the long run.

"It takes very little time and money to make sure your car runs properly during summer, and although breakdowns happen, they can definitely be minimized by taking a few extra preventive maintenance steps," executive director of Car Care Council Rich White told Car and Driver.

The season of summer might be coming to a close soon, but that doesn't mean the hot temperatures aren't going to stick around. To be cautious, consider taking your ride in for its routine maintenance at NJ Auto Auction. We have a service shop with technicians who will make certain your car is running smoothly.