Car ownership can be an expensive affair. While sometimes your car can be your best friend, other times it can as much a source of frustration as an unannounced visit from the in-laws. It's true that all cars are different, but there are a couple of common sticking points that many drivers typically find themselves contending with. Here are some of the maintenance snafus you'll want to keep your eyes open for, as doing so can save you both frustration and money.

The check engine light
Drivers everywhere have, at one point or another, come face to face with the dreaded check engine light. Though that little red eye glaring ominously at you from your dashboard could be indicative of a serious and costly problem with your engine, many of us have learned to live with it as part of our daily driving experience. In fact, CarMD.com spokesperson Kristin Brocoff told Edmunds that 10 percent are driving around with the check engine light on, and half of them have been staring at drivers for three months or longer.

The good news is that while this little light can point to a host of bigger problems, oftentimes the real issue is deceptively simple and actually cheap to get fixed. According to Edmunds, one of the primary functions of the light is to monitor vehicle emissions. Fixes for the indicator's appearance have ranged from tightening the gas cap to making sure the car's oxygen sensor is working properly. These may seem like minor fixes, but engine light-related troubles can impact your car's fuel efficiency, so getting the issues resolved quickly can actually save you money in the long run.

Losing your keys
We've all had those moments where we frantically scour our homes for our misplaced car keys that we could swear we just had in our hands. Though not strictly a maintenance issue, car key loss can definitely contribute to racking up unnecessary expenditures. Especially with today's current technology, including things like remote keyless entry, laser cut keys and transponder keys, replacing lost keys can add up to a costly and frustrating endeavor. 

If your car needs maintenance, make an appointment at NJ State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center. Their skilled mechanics can help you address any maintenance issues, large or small, that may be keeping you from getting the most out of your car.

Deciding to take the plunge into becoming a first-time car owner can be an exciting experience. The excitement and freedom of having your own wheels is a great feeling, but for clueless or inexperienced auto shoppers, it's very easy to be overwhelmed with details, procedure and a deluge of too much information. With a little planning and foreknowledge, even the least experienced car virgins can turn their experience into a positive one.

Plan ahead
Preparation is always important when making a major purchasing decision, and this is especially true for buying a car. You'll want to make sure you do your homework so you know what size and class of car you're looking for, which features you need and how much you're able to spend, all before you even head out to the dealership. Take care to also check online to compare models from different manufacturers in the same class.

"On average, people only shop about three vehicles," Steve Witten, executive director of U.S. automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates told MSN. While analysis paralysis is understandable, especially for first-time buyers, restricting your search to a small number of models can keep you from finding the right car at the right price.

Do the math
Once you've figured out your budget, that doesn't mean that you can start looking at cars at that price. The physical cost of the car itself is just one of many factors that will influence how much you ultimately end up paying. Once you've selected a model, you'll then have to consider things like additional features and add-ons, so make sure you do your research beforehand so you know exactly what extras you'd like and which ones you don't need to spend cash on. 

Hidden costs can crop up outside the dealer's office as well. One of the biggest ongoing expenses outside of the car payment itself will go to your insurance provider, and the car you choose while you're shopping can have a significant impact on that payment. When picking out your model and features, keep abreast of how things like car size, safety features and reliability will impact your insurance rate and shop accordingly. 

Whether you're a neophyte buying your first car or a veteran who's no stranger to the car-buying process, head to NJ State Auto Auction for your next purchase. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified vehicles on the lot and a helpful in-house finance team who can help make the experience simple and affordable. 

There are few things drivers everywhere hate more than constantly rising gas prices. It seems like every time we turn around prices spike yet again. Unfortunately, we don't seem to be out of the woods yet, as AAA forecasted that the nationwide average gas price will actually hit its peak in April, hovering around a wallet-punching $3.55–$3.75 per gallon, according to a recent report. While you hunker down to weather the coming fuelpocalypse, here are a couple of tips to help keep more of your money in your pocket instead of your gas tank.

Stifle The Road Rage
All that aggressive driving and road rage isn't just costing you brownie points, it's also costing you money. Driving at erratic, inconsistent speeds and accelerating and braking too sharply can have a severe impact on your gas mileage, reducing your highway fuel efficiency by up to 33 percent, FuelEconomy.gov reported. Combat this by stopping gradually at lights rather than slamming your brakes, and easing off of the accelerator rather than putting the pedal to the metal. An Edmunds report indicated this will increase your car's coasting time and reduce the amount of fuel you inject into your engine, helping you get the most out of your gas tank. Also make sure you use your cruise control on the highways. It's one of the easiest things you can do to immediately save some cash on gas.

Keep Your Car Healthy
It stands to reason that the better care you take of your car, the better care it will take of your wallet down the road. Fortunately, you don't have to be a mechanic to reap some noticeable fuel economy benefits; keeping up with just a few preventative maintenance tasks can help save you dollars at the pump. Simple things like keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your fuel efficiency by up to 3 percent, and you can even boost your mileage by making sure you're using the correct grade of motor oil, FuelEconomy.gov reported.

Shop For Efficiency
It should go without saying that in the gas mileage department, some cars are more efficient than others. Cars with better fuel efficiency might cost a bit more up front, but you'll be making that money back and then some when it comes time to fill up your tank. While it may not seem like there's a huge difference between a car that gets 20 miles to the gallon and one that gets 30, it adds up. That extra boost in fuel efficiency can save you on average $888 per year.

If you're in the market for a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. There are hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a knowledgeable and helpful sales team dedicated to helping you find the right used car for your lifestyle. 

Few things can dampen the excitement of buying a new car more than getting short shrift on your old car's trade-in value. The used car market can be volatile, with trade values rising and falling more than the ratings on the newest season of “The Bachelor,” but that doesn't mean you're completely at the mercy of mysteriously fluctuating market factors. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do before putting on your game face and heading down to the dealership.

Knowledge Is Power
It's important to research your car's current trade-in value. That way, you'll have a better idea of what you can expect when it comes time to do business at the lot. AutoTrader.com recommends the Used Car Information Center at NADAguides.com, which will give you specific information on your car's current value based on factors like make and model, year and mileage information. Checking classifieds in the newspaper or online is also a good way to get a feel for what your car might be worth. Keep in mind that these prices are bound to include things like dealer mark-up, so be careful about considering these values too closely – the trade-in value you're offered is almost guaranteed to be lower than what you see others trying to sell your car for.

Keep It Clean
You wouldn't want to buy a dirty car, so why would you try and sell one? According to CarQuotes.com, a major factor in determining your car's trade-in value is the dealer's perception of the condition of your car. So not only will giving your car a thorough presale cleaning make it more attractive to buyers, you're also potentially increasing the amount of money you may be offered for it. Not a bad deal for the cost of just a little elbow grease.

Fix It Up
It should go without saying that if your car doesn't run, nobody's going to want to buy it. Trade-in time is the last chance to head into the shop for those repairs you've been putting off. Yeah, you'll be spending some money, but it's money you'll hopefully be making back by increasing your car's value. AutoTrader.com warns that you shouldn't be too careful here. If you spend more on repairs than would be added to your car's value, that's money you're not going to be seeing again. And most dealers expect used cars to have a couple minor peccadilloes anyway.

When the time comes for you to trade in your old wheels, make sure you head to NJ State Auto Auction. With hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, you're bound to find the car that's right for you.

St. Patrick's Day may have passed, but that doesn't mean you have to abandon green habits – especially with regard to your car. In fact, embracing some green and eco-friendly practices can be beneficial for the environment as well as your vehicle, as many of the most common operations will improve the fuel efficiency and performance of a car. 

The Car Care Council offers several recommendations for drivers who want to make their cars green without spending too much money. At the top of the list is following scheduled maintenance. These preventative steps, which include actions such as regular tune ups, can go a long way toward ensuring your car is running smoothly and not wasting any fuel. Consider replacing air filters, changing the oil, checking the gas cap and examining tire pressure at regular intervals. 

"To be car care aware, you don't need to be lucky, just proactive," said Rich White, the executive director of the Car Care Council. "By following a few simple steps from the Car Care Council, you can drive smart save money and be green." 

The Council also recommends that drivers properly dispose of old tires, batteries and other resources used on a car. Replacing these features is a necessary part of maintaining a vehicle, and recycling whenever possible can help the environment. Another way to reinvigorate part of a car is to repower the engine to provide a vehicle with a burst of new life. 

Any time of year is the right time to start taking care of your car. With NJ State Auto's Total Car Care Center, you can take advantage of a garage that caters to the public. The experts on hand can address any issues you may have while also helping improve the overall function of your vehicle. 

It is finally starting to feel like spring, and it's not just your personal comfort level that will benefit from the changing seasons. There's a good chance your car will be relieved as well, as it has had to deal with icy roads, mounds of snow and freezing temperatures for months. 

While springtime brings better weather, with it comes a variety of obstacles that you must be prepared to handle. Having a high-quality car is the first step toward protecting yourself and your automobile, but there are a few other mistakes that you'll want to avoid as well. 

For example, drivers should prepare for the heavy rains of the spring by making sure the wiper blades are replaced on a regular basis. Ignoring this portion of vehicle maintenance can lead to poor visibility on the roads, which in turn could put you at risk for an accident. It is much easier to replace wiper blades and to check the cleaning fluid than it is to have extensive repairs done.

Despite the fact that warmer weather is on the horizon, you should still take advantage of a garage or car port whenever possible. This covering can be a major help during frequent rain storms, and it is also useful for the beginning of spring, when temperatures may drop below freezing at night. Heavy winds in the season may also lead to fallen branches, and keeping your car out of harm's way can be important. 

Preventative maintenance is an extremely crucial step to take when preparing a vehicle for the spring season. However, not every owner has the knowledge necessary to complete the tasks. That's where facilities like the Total Car Care Center at New Jersey State Auto Auction come in. This garage caters to the public and is capable of addressing any issues you may have, whether related to tune ups or more advanced repairs. 

In today’s world, many drivers are focused on making their vehicles as eco-friendly as possible. However, not everyone has the funds to invest in a hybrid or electric automobile. Even in these cases, though, it is possible for motorists to take advantage of a few techniques that will make their driving habits a bit more “green.”

Are you curious about what you can do to be more environmentally friendly with your vehicle? Pay attention to some of an automobile’s key areas:

Maintain tire pressure
The tires installed on a car can have a direct impact on the fuel economy of the vehicle. According to The Huffington Post, a change of 3 pounds in tire pressure can result in a loss of 1 percent of the car’s fuel economy, and simply filling the tire to the measurements set in an owner’s manual can be helpful. Investing in options such as low rolling resistance tires, which actively improve fuel efficiency, is also an attractive choice for drivers.

Invest in regular maintenance
One of the simplest ways to improve your vehicle’s impact on the environment is to get regular preventative maintenance. Ensuring that all aspects of a car are operating smoothly and properly can go a long way toward improving its efficiency. This is also a great opportunity to have a professional check out the tires and change the oil, examining the gears along the way. The last thing you want is a leak filtering harmful materials out of your car and into the environment, so inspecting these functions is essential.

If your car is in need of a tune up, schedule an appointment at the NJ State Auto Auction. There, you’ll find the Total Car Care Center, a garage that caters to the public and is capable of addressing any issues you may have.