The brakes are among the most important parts on your car, which is why it's crucial to keep them in good shape. To safely bring your vehicle to a stop, calipers squeeze brake pads against brake rotors attached to the wheels to slow them down. The friction generated by this action slowly wears down the pads over time and they need to be replaced. The lifespan of brake pads depends on the type of material they are made of, as there are metal, ceramic and composite options, and each type has its advantages and disadvantages.

Different Types of Brake Pads
The most common brake pad material is semi-metallic. This material is made up of a combination of copper, steel wool, and friction modifiers, and is often more durable than other materials, but it also wears down faster, meaning you'll have to replace the pads more often. Ceramic brake pads are more expensive, but they are quieter, longer lasting and easier on the rotors than semi-metallic pads.

How to know when it's time for a change
Most brake pads are equipped with wear indicators that let you know you should schedule an appointment with your mechanic. Essentially, there are small metal rods protruding from the base of the pads that will rub against the rotors when the pads are significantly worn down. The result will be a high-pitched squeal when you apply the brakes. When you first hear this noise, you will still be able to drive the car before you can get to your mechanic, but delaying a visit to the shop too long can allow the wear indicator to scratch up the rotor. Replacing pads is fairly inexpensive, but if you need a new rotor the bill will likely be higher.

If you think you might need work done on your brakes, head over to New Jersey Auto Auction. The dealer has a garage, the Total Car Care Canter, that is open to the public, and the experts are ready to help get your car back in running order.

Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is the stuff that keeps your car's engine from overheating. If the fluid levels are low or contaminated, the cooling system won't be able to function properly and you might find yourself stuck on the side of the road with a smoking engine, looking at an expensive repair bill. It's important to get your coolant flushed and replaced at least once a year, but you should also keep an eye on things on a regular basis. As April is National Car Care Month, this is the perfect time to pop the hood and take a peek at your car's antifreeze.

Antifreeze is typically bright green or blue in color, making it easy to see the fluid in the overflow tank. This is typically located next to the radiator, which is at the front of most engine bays. It's easy to take a quick peek and make sure the levels aren't too low when you're checking the oil. You should also pop the cap, when the engine is cool, and examine the liquid itself. Look for signs of contaminants floating around and take note of the color itself. Any discoloration or particles could indicate there is a leak, which should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

If levels are low, you should add more coolant as soon as possible. You can't just dump plain old antifreeze into the tank, however. It needs to be a 50/50 ratio of coolant and water. There are plenty of premixed options available to save you the trouble. If you're in a pinch, such as stuck on the side of the highway, you can use water alone, but this is an extremely temporary fix, and you should bring your car to a mechanic right away, so he or she can flush the system. New Jersey Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center is a great place to bring your car, truck or SUV, and the experts can spot any potential issues, such as leaks, to help you avoid a major problem down the line.

There are plenty of ways you can keep an eye on your car, truck or SUV in between routine maintenance, and one important aspect of at-home care is ensuring your windshield wipers are working well. Wipers that are old, broken or otherwise functioning improperly can lead to reduced visibility, which is especially dangerous during those pesky April showers. Thankfully, it is relatively cheap and easy to replace your old blades. A good rule of thumb is to switch out the current set of blades every six months or so, but you should check them at least once a month to make sure they're in good shape.

If you noticed streaking or ineffective results the last time it rained, it's probably a good idea to take a closer look. Test the wipers out using your car's washer fluid if you're not sure how they're holding up. Even if things appear to be OK, take a closer look. You should examine the blades, which are commonly made of rubber or other soft materials, for signs of wear, tears or other damage. At the same time, make sure the blades are properly attached to the wipers, as they can sometimes come dislodged. If the blades are in decent condition, you might just be able to slip them back into place, but be sure to keep an eye on them. Otherwise, head to an auto parts retailer (mega retailers like Wal-Mart and Target will also have wipers available) and ask for help selecting the right blades for your make and model. 

Your car's owner's manual should provide instructions for how to remove the current set of blades and attach new ones. However, if you are having trouble or don't feel comfortable doing this yourself, you can bring your car to the experts at New Jersey Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center. The mechanics will be able to assist you in this process, and while you're there, you might as well have them perform a tune-up if you haven't done so already this spring.

If your car springs a leak, it can increase your risk of a crash and cause further damage to your vehicle if ignored. As April is National Car Care Month, now is the ideal time to get your vehicle checked out by a professional if you suspect a problem. The warning signs of leaks can vary, but there are a few ways to figure out if this is an issue.  Assessing signs of impurity in easy-to-check fluids like oil and transmission might be the best place to start. Water is easily spotted in oil, as the two liquids won't mix. Dirt and debris can also indicate there is a leak.

The easiest way to spot a leak is to peek under your car after it's been parked for a while, preferably overnight. A wet spot on the ground could indicate a leak, but if you'd like to figure out just what is leaking, you might want to put a sheet of white paper or cardboard under the vehicle. In the morning, you'll be able to pull it out and determine the color of the leaking fluid. Red or orange is transmission fluid. Oil tends to be golden or brown in color (depending on when it was last changed), coolant is typically green, brake fluid is usually brown and power steering fluid commonly has a reddish-pink hue.

Regardless of what is leaking, knowing that there is an issue is the first step to getting your car back in working order. If you live in the New York/New Jersey area, you can bring your car to the experts at the Total Car Care Center in Jersey City. Even though the garage is part of NJ State Auto Action, it is open to the public, so you can take advantage of the services even if you didn't buy your car there. Plus, you are free to check out some of the available used cars while your car is being checked out.

It's no secret that car tires wear down over time. Since all four tires are being used at the same time, the wear is even for the most part, but sometimes one or more wheels will begin to have uneven wear, which can be caused by a multitude of conditions. For this reason, it is important that you get your tires rotated every so often. Most car manufacturers recommend having the tires rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles, but you may want to discuss options with a trusted mechanic, as your needs may vary slightly.

So what can cause uneven wear? A variety of issues, including incorrect tire pressure, uneven weight distribution and aggressive braking, can contribute to uneven wear on your tires. For example, if your vehicle has two-wheel drive, the wheels attached to the drivetrain will be used for braking and accelerating, so they will wear down faster than the others. Making turns will also put additional pressure on the front tires, and more weight sits in front of the car than in the rear, thanks to the engine's location.

If you don't know the last time you had your tires rotated, it might be time to call NJ Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center and make an appointment to see one of the experts on staff. They can not only rotate your tires, but can help you determine a good schedule for doing so in the future. Regularly rotating tires will help the rubber parts last as long as possible. It will also improve smoothness on the road, give your fuel economy a boost and help your vehicle retain its value.

This last point is especially great for those looking to trade in their current ride soon. A better trade-in value will mean a bigger down payment on a driver's next used car. You can check out the selection of makes and models and NJ Auto Auction while you're waiting for your maintenance to be finished.

National Car Care Month is the perfect time for vehicle owners to get their maintenance on track. Life can get pretty busy, and if you can't remember the last time you brought your used car, truck or SUV in for a tune-up, it might be time to call your mechanic. The Car Care Council recently conducted a study of vehicle inspections at community events around the U.S. during last year's April and October car care months, and the results show that most car owners are not up-to-date on their maintenance. A whopping 77 percent of vehicles were found to be in need of servicing or replacement parts.

Some maintenance issues stood out from the pack, as motor oil, brake systems and engine cooling systems were ranked as the top three common problems. Issues with fluids were glaring in the study results, as low or dirty oil, leaking or dirty antifreeze, and low brake fluid levels were all major issues.

The appropriate service interval varies for every individual car, as the age, amount of wear and other issues will all influence how often your car needs a tune-up. The Car Care Council offers a helpful guide to give you a general idea of how often to visit the mechanic.

"Neglected vehicle care almost always means much higher costs down the line in the form of extensive repairs or lost resale value," said the Car Care Council's executive director, Rich White. "Following a routine maintenance program like the Car Care Council's free, personalized schedule and email reminder service can help you drive smart, save money and make informed decisions."

If you live in the New York/New Jersey area, you can head to Jersey City to visit the experts at NJ Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center. They can help you address any needed maintenance or repairs to keep your car running better, longer.

Automotive maintenance is a key ingredient of keeping your car running well, and to remind drivers, the Car Care Council designated April as National Car Care Month. So, if you haven't had a tune-up in a while or you're due for an oil change, now is the time to take your car to a trusted mechanic like the experts at New Jersey Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center. There are also a few things you can do at home to keep your vehicle in check and spot any issues early to avoid costly repairs down the line.

Keep Fluids In Check
Every couple of weeks, you should pop the hood (while the engine is cool) and check all the fluids – oil, transmission, brake, antifreeze, power steering and even windshield washer fluid. If you notice any levels are low, add more and check back in a few days. A noticeable drop could indicate a leak in the system.

Check Your Tires
Having the correct air pressure in your tires is key to staying safe on the road and maintaining a good fuel economy. Too little air will reduce your car's fuel efficiency, but too much air can increase the risk of a blow-out or a crash. Keep a pressure gauge in your glove compartment to check the tires once every week or so.

Listen Up For Unusual Sounds
Most cars will "speak up" when they're experiencing issues. Noises, such as grinding, squeaking, whining and pinging can indicate serious issues, so it's a good idea to turn the radio off every now and then and listen to your car. Any sounds that seem out of place are worth investigating.

Whether you think something's wrong or you're ready to get your car a tune-up, you can bring it over to the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction. The garage caters to the public and can help you address any issues your car might have.

When your vehicle starts to need more work more often, it might be time to say goodbye and start thinking about used cars to replace your current ride. Yet, this doesn't mean you should dump your car the minute it needs a major repair. It's important to weight your options when you're facing extensive auto body work, as the cost may be worth it in some cases, but in others, it might be best to ditch your ride and get behind the wheel of something in better shape.

If you're looking at an extensive repair, you should take more than just the bill into consideration. Are you still making loan payments or is the vehicle paid off? If the car is completely paid off, it might be worth it to shell out the money for this one-time expense rather than enter into a new loan contract that will put added pressure on your budget. If you have a loan, you may be able to refinance it to make room in your budget for the repairs or you can consider selling the vehicle if its worth is greater than the outstanding balance, such as if you're only a few months away from paying it off entirely.

It is also a good idea to weigh the age and current state of the vehicle. If there are many minor issues as well as the larger one, you may wind up spending more in repairs to get the car up and running than it would cost to get a new one. Plus, if the vehicle is already pretty old, chances are you'll have to replace it sooner than later. On the other hand, a newer car that needs a replacement part may be worth fixing, as most of the other parts and accessories are likely still in good shape, so the vehicle will last longer once the repairs have been made.

If you're ready to give up on your current vehicle, you can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which carries a wide selection of affordable and reliable used cars, trucks and SUVs.

Getting the oil changed in your car regularly is one of the most important things you can do to keep it running smoothly. A good rule of thumb is to flush and replace the fluids every 7,500 miles, but this may vary depending on the age and condition of your vehicle. Your mechanic can help you determine how often you should be bringing your car in for an oil change. However, this is not a be-all, end-all solution – you should also be checking the oil in between routine services. This can help you catch leaks and other issues early, before they get worse and become expensive problems.

Make sure that your car has been off for at least an hour, giving it plenty of time to cool down before you pop the hood. You'll want to wear some protective gloves and have clean paper towels or rags handy when you check the oil. Locate the dipstick, which is typically toward the front of the engine bay, and pull it out. Wipe it clean, insert it all the way back into the pipe and then pull it out again.

Take a look at the end of the dipstick to see how high the fluid level is. There should be markings to indicate the appropriate fill line. If the liquid is low, you'll want to add more – usually, a quart will do – and check back again in a few days. If the level has dropped again, this could indicate there is a leak, and you'll want to bring the car in to the garage as soon as possible.

The color and consistency of the fluid is also important. Clean oil should be golden to light brown in color and free of debris. Dark brown or black fluid may indicate it is time for an oil change, while dirt, debris or flecks of metal are signs there is likely a leak in the system.

If you notice any of these issues, you can bring you car to New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center. This auto shop is open to the public and staffed with experts ready to help get your vehicle back in working order.

Did you know that having the correct amount of air in your tires can not only keep you safer on the roads but save you money at the pump? Tire pressure is something you need to check on a regular basis – once or twice a month is a good schedule to stick to. This will also help you recognize if there is a problem. Consistently low levels may point to a leak that, if caught early, will help you avoid a blowout while driving. 

Get a pressure gauge
You can find tire pressure gauges at auto parts stores as well as gas stations and any shop that has an automotive department. They're only a few bucks and small enough to fit in any storage compartment in your car. To use one, you simply unscrew the stem cap on a tire and push the gauge into the stem. The plastic measurement indicator should pop out, allowing you to read the amount of air pressure, expressed in pounds per square inch (psi). The proper psi for your tires can be found in the owner's manual or on a sticker that is usually located inside the driver's side door frame. 

Filling up
Most gas stations have air compressors that are free to use or take a couple of quarters to get the air flowing. If they do not have automatic pressure sensors, you will need to fill the tires little bit little, checking the pressure with your gauge as you go until you reach the appropriate level.

Keep heat in mind
If you've driven more than a mile, your tires have likely heated up, causing the air pressure to increase, according to SaferCar.gov. If the pressure reading is a bit higher than it should be, wait for the tires to cool down and measure them again.

When you encounter issues with your tires, you can being your vehicle to NJ State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center. The maintenance experts can help you address issues such as tears and leaks.