Spring cleaning is all about reaching every inch of the area you're working on, whether you're scrubbing down your car or your kitchen. Just washing the exterior of the vehicle is not enough. You should also attack the interior, removing trash, vacuuming dirt and debris from the floors and between seat cushions and wiping down surfaces to remove dust and make the passenger area as fresh as the exterior.

After you've cleared out all the garbage and odds and ends you've collected over the winter months, use a vacuum to pick up the bits of dirt, sand, rock salt, crumbs and other debris that have likely collected under the seats, in the crevices of the cushions and on the floors. If you're dealing with stains on the fabric, you might want to get a deep-cleaning product or even rent an upholstery cleaning machine.

Then, you can wipe down the harder surfaces such as the dashboard and center console. Use a gentle cleaning product as anything too strong could degrade the material. For smaller cracks, crevices and hard-to-reach spaces, you can use cotton swabs or tightly rolled pieces of paper towels. Paying attention to these small details while cleaning will really help to make your car feel like new again.

Don't forget to use glass cleaner and a paper towel or lint-free rag to clean the interior sides of the windows. This will enhance visibility and get rid of any finger-drawn pictures your kids may have made when the windows fogged up during winter.

A car with a clean, well maintained interior is likely to have a higher resale value than one with stains, unpleasant odors and dirty dashboards. If you're thinking of trading in your vehicle at New Jersey State Auto Auction and replacing it with a used car, truck or SUV, you should take the time to clean up the current ride to give it a boost in value. 

To protect your car's exterior appearance, you need to wax it regularly. Wax acts as a protective barrier from the elements, including dirt, leaves and other debris, as well as sunlight and insects that hit your car while you're driving, as all of these can degrade the overall quality of the paint job. How often you should wax you car depends on a variety of factors including the age of the vehicle, your location and the climate. If you live in the New York/New Jersey area and own an older model or a used car, you'll probably want to consider waxing your vehicle this spring. Not only have you been driving on icy and salted roads, but the coastal region also faces salty air conditions that can erode the metal of your vehicle and cause it to rust.

As the weather grows warmer and the days get longer, your car is going to be spending a lot more time under the sun, so it's a good idea to seal in the paint job with a good wax early into the season. This will help protect against fading, and the protective layer of wax will also prevent sand, dirt and other debris from scratching the surface. You might not be able to see these tiny indentations, but they can contribute to oxidation that leaves a car looking dull and lifeless. Regularly waxing a vehicle helps keep it looking shiny and new.

If your vehicle is already starting to lose its luster, you might want to think about using a car polish to remove any grime and restore the original shine before waxing. It's important to note that polish and wax are not interchangeable, as polish won't remain on the surface – it only serves to get rid of preexisting scratches and dirt.

Waxing a car is an important part of getting it ready for spring, but drivers should also think about getting regular maintenance. The experts at NJ Auto Auction's Total Car Care garage can handle everything from oil changes to routine maintenance to repairs.

While the last remnants of snow melt and the rains wash away all the salt and deicers from the roads, it's a great time to give your car a springtime makeover. After months of driving over icy roads and getting road salt and other debris all over your vehicle, one of the first things you can do to welcome warmer weather is to wash your car from top to bottom.

What you'll need:
There are a few different items you will need to give your car a thorough bath and dislodge all the debris and dirt that have accumulated in the past season. First, make sure you have a hose with a working spray nozzle. You'll also need plenty of clean rags and sponges. Don't use dirty cloths that could contain particles that may damage the paint job. For the soap, you'll want something mild – dish detergent can be a bit too strong for this job, so make sure to water it down substantially if that's what you plan to use. There are plenty of automotive cleaners out there, but you don't need to use them to get your car shiny and clean like new.

Washing the car:
Choose a shady spot so the soap doesn't dry while you work and leave unattractive soap stains, and rinse the car off entirely before you begin washing. Don't forget to spray the undercarriage of the car as well, since this is where most of the debris will build up. This removes any loose dirt, so you don't accidentally rub it into the surface and leave scratch marks. Then, you can start washing, but take it one section at a time, rinsing off the soap when you're done. 

A clean car is also ideal if you're planning to sell it or trade it in at NJ State Auto Auction for your next used car. When a car looks good, it reassures a buyer that the previous owner took care of it and can help boost the resale value a bit.

Winter is finally drawing to a close, and while there may be a few snowfalls left to get through this season, there's no doubt that spring is just around the corner. For many, this means it's time to break out the cleaning supplies and get their homes ready for warmer weather, but car owners should be sure to include their vehicles in this year's spring cleaning plan. Here are a few things you can do to get your car ready for spring.

Throw out your garbage
If you're the type who doesn't worry about leaving an empty soda bottle or an old receipt on the floor of your car, chances are you could stand to do a bit of tidying up. Go through everything you have in your car, throw out the trash and take the stuff you don't need in your car into your house, like the five extra pairs of shoes you've had in the backseat all winter. Not only will clearing the clutter make the car look (and probably smell) better, but removing excess weight can also improve fuel economy, helping you save at the pump.

Clean everything really well
Head to an automotive store to pick up a few car-specific cleaning products and get to work. Clean the interior and exterior thoroughly to get rid of the dust and grime that have built up over the winter months. When your car is as clean as the day you bought it, it can increase the value if you're thinking of selling it to get your next used car before summer begins.

If you're looking to get behind the wheel of a new ride, NJ State Auto Auction has plenty of affordable used cars, trucks and SUVs to choose from so you're ready to hit the beach come Memorial Day.

Check back soon for more helpful spring cleaning tips for your car.

When cold weather first sets in, you can usually get away with using the defroster to blast away the frost from your windshield. However, as things get colder and icier, you might be faced with a thick sheet of ice or a snowdrift that blocks your vision. When you can’t just brush the snow away, you’ll need to take more extreme action. However, going about this the wrong way could possibly damage your windshield and lead to costly repairs.

There are many ice scrapers out there that are easy to throw in the trunk of your car, but you will want to steer clear of those with metal blades that could easily scratch the glass. When you actually go to scrape off the ice, resist the urge to use the tool as a pick. Stabbing at the sheet of ice may help break it up, but this could be too effective and crack the pane of glass below the frozen layer. Ideally, you should start at the outer edges and work in a back-and-forth motion for best results. 

In addition to manually scraping the ice off the car, you can use a store-bought deicer or turn on your defroster before heading out to help speed up the process. Set the defroster to low, so the glass is heated slowly from the inside. Never pour hot water onto the ice, as the contrast of hot and cold could cause the glass to crack. You can buy deicing solutions at the store or make your own. Two popular options are using ethyl alcohol or vinegar mixed with equal parts water.

If you do accidentally crack the windshield or encounter other damages this winter, you can bring your car to New Jersey State Auto Auction‘s Total Car Care Center. The experts at the auto shop will be able to help you with your maintenance and repair need.

There are many steps you need to take to keep your car running well, and one of the most crucial things to check is the oil. You probably already know that it is important to have the oil changed regularly, but you might not even think twice about it in between scheduled maintenance. However, periodically checking the oil can help you spot issues early, which may save you loads of money on repairs in the long run. 

To check the oil, grab some paper towels or a rag, and make sure the engine is cooled down before popping the hood and locating the oil dipstick. It is usually toward the front of the car and will have a yellow handle. Pull it out and wipe it clean with your rag, and then insert it all the way back in before pulling it out again. This time, check the end of the dipstick. You are looking to see if the fluid level reaches the fill line indicator. If it is low, add more and check the level again in a few days – a significant drop could point to a leak in the system. Also check the color and consistency of the oil. Dark brown to black coloration means it’s time to change the oil, even if you haven’t reached the next scheduled change. Debris in the fluid could point to a leak, as well.

Whether it is time for your regular oil change or you suspect there could be a leak, you can bring your car to the experts at New Jersey Auto Auction‘s Total Car Care Center. They can take care of any routine maintenance and repair needs you may have, even if you didn’t buy your car at NJ Auto Auction, since the garage is open to the public. 

When temperatures drop, it might seem ideal to start your car and let it run until the heater kicks in so your hands don’t freeze to the steering wheel. However, this can be a very wasteful practice. For every hour the car idles, it can use anywhere from a quarter to half a gallon of gasoline, according to the Department of Energy.

If you let the car warm up for 10 minutes every day before you leave for work, you could have wasted as much as 2 1/2 gallons of gasoline – and that doesn’t even take into account other times you might warm up the car. Basically, it can add up quickly. Not only does this mean you’re going to be spending more at the pump, but you’re also releasing more emissions into the atmosphere, which works against other efforts you and your family might be making to go green. 

Some people may believe it is necessary to let the engine warm up before driving, but this is a myth. An engine will run better when the temperature is higher, but the fastest way to heat up the engine is to put it to work. Think of it this way, do you get warmer faster by standing in one spot or by moving around? The same holds true for your car. 

Sure, letting the interior of the car heat up can make it easier to melt the ice on your windshield, which is better than using all your energy to scrape it off by hand. However, there are other options to make this process easier. There are many de-icing solutions available that you can spray on your windshield, but you can also mix a solution using equal parts water and ethyl alcohol or vinegar. This will help to melt the ice and make it easier to clear the glass.

If you’re looking for a car this winter, consider checking out the options at NJ State Auto Auction. The dealer has a wide selection of makes and models, and every vehicle is CARFAX certified.

When you own a car, you need to keep up with routine maintenance in order to ensure your vehicle runs well, and one of the major aspects of car care is oil changes. The general rule of thumb is to have the oil drained and replaced every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. However, visiting an auto body shop like New Jersey Auto Auction‘s Total Car Care Center every few thousand miles is not always enough to keep the car in check. You should pop the hood and peek at the oil every week or so to make sure things are running smoothly.

First, make sure the engine is off and has had time to cool down to avoid burning yourself on the hot metal. Then, pop the hood and locate the oil dipstick. The handle is usually yellow and found toward the front of the car. Pull the dipstick out and wipe it clean with a rag or paper towel. Then, reinsert it all the way down and pull it out once more. This will give you an accurate reading of the level.

If it looks low, you should add more fluid to the oil reservoir. Be sure to check again in a few days, as a significant drop typically means there is a leak that should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the engine.

You will also want to look at the quality of the fluid. Oil that is opaque or very dark in color should be changed soon, even if it is ahead of the scheduled maintenance. If you notice dirt, debris or flecks of metal, you may be dealing with a leak or a part that is wearing out.

For oil changes and bigger problems, the experts at the Total Car Care Center can help get your car back on the road in a timely fashion. The auto shop, affiliated with NJ Public Auto Auction, is open to the general public, making it a viable resource for drivers in the New York/New Jersey area.