Category Archives: How To

Be on the lookout for deer on the road

It may not be at the front of many drivers' minds, but deer can be a serious problem while out on the road. The friendly woodland creatures seemingly come out of nowhere and can not only cause significant damage to a car but also serious personal injury. With deer season rapidly approaching, Michigan Auto Law recently offered a few tips on how to avoid collisions with deer in the coming months.

Much of the advice offered can also be heeded all year long. First and foremost, fastening your seat belt is most important because it has long proven to be one of the best ways to prevent injury in the event of a collision – with a deer or otherwise.

While making sure you're strapped in seems like common sense, some other tips may not be so easy to recognize. For instance, experts tell drivers not to swerve out of the way because hitting the deer with your car is much preferable to losing control and driving into oncoming traffic.

"The worst thing you can ever do is swerve your car or slam on your brakes to avoid a deer," said personal injury lawyer Steven M. Gursten. "It’s far better to kill the deer than it is to seriously kill yourself or someone else by veering into oncoming traffic, slamming into a tree or getting rear-ended."

Experts also say that you should be especially on the look out for deer during dawn and dusk, as deer-related accidents tend to peak between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. as well as 3 a.m. and 6 a.m

Along with being alert on the road, having a car that is well maintained can also keep you safe. New Jersey Auto Auction's Total Car Care center not only offers drivers with auto repairs but it also provide general upkeep.  

Gather service records before trade-in

Trading in your car before purchasing a used one can go a long way in helping offset any costs of the process. Not only will it put some money back in your pocket, but it will also remove any of the hassle that you may incur trying to sell the car yourself. However, if you go into it with the wrong mindset you may not get the most out of it as possible, and Wheels.ca recently offered a few tips to anybody looking to trade in their ride.

The first thing you should do before considering a trade-in is to collect any and all service records associated with the vehicle. Along with giving the buyer an accurate gauge of the condition of the car, if it has been regularly maintained you're more likely to get a higher price for it.

In a similar vein, you'll want to be open and honest about the condition of your car. If you mislead the dealer it could spell trouble down the road.

In addition to rounding up the history of your car you should also take steps to make sure that your car looks presentable, both inside and out. Vacuum it, clean it and fix any minor problems, like cracks in the windshield, to ensure that it looks as good as possible, the website reports.

You should also be sure to get an estimate on how much your car is worth before you try to sell it to the dealer, and at New Jersey State Auto Auction it could not be easier. The business is an authorized Autotrader.com Trade In Marketplace Dealership and you can get an immediate appraisal of your car before you decide to sell it. 

What to check when dusting off an idle car

Any number of conditions can leave you driving a car that has not been used for months, or even years, at a time. While it may not have any outwardly noticeable problems, the mere fact that it hasn't been driven in such a long time can cause complications. According to The Globe and Mail, there area few things you should do to ensure that your car can get back on the road and operate smoothly.

First and foremost you should check on the fluid. Depending on how long your car has been sitting idle, everything from transmission fluid to wiper fluid may need to be changed and checked for leaks. A quick inspection by a mechanic can reveal any shortcomings.

As is the case with any car, safety should not be overlooked in one that has been sitting around for a while. Experts suggest checking the tires first to make sure that they are properly inflated and that their tread has not been compromised from lack of use.

According to the news source, you should also make sure that rust has not made its way into the exhaust system. This can cause a clog, which will make your car run less smoothly. To check this, experts suggest plugging the tailpipe with a cloth rag while the engine is running (wearing gloves for protection) and if if gases are trying to get around the rag, it is probably fine, but if they are coming from elsewhere it indicates a leak.

If you have a car that has been sitting idle for a significant period of time you may want to take it to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers total car care to the general public, whether it be a simple repair or regular maintenance.

How to stop your car from depreciating in value

Whether you're looking to sell your car yourself or trade it in at a later date, maintaining the resale value of your vehicleis very important. Experts say that an automobile's depreciation in value is one of the biggest expenses that car owners incur, and over the first five years of ownership it may lose 35 percent of its value. Still, that does not mean there aren't ways to stave off the depreciation of your ride, and Jacksonville news channel WJXT recently shared a few tips on how to do so.

One of the best ways to ensure that the resale value remains high is to keep stringent records of all the maintenance the vehicle received. This way when you decide to sell your car, be it to an individual or to a dealer, you can show them just how well you've taken care of it over the years.

In a similar vein, you'll want to be sure that you do provide all the maintenance that it needs. New Jersey State Auto auction offers full car service to the general public so drivers can be sure their car is running at its best and will do the same for its next owner.

Though maintenance is important, so is the look of the car. It might run smoothly, but if its outward appearance is shabby chances are you won't get top dollar for it. According to the news channel, you should make sure to perform all the routine upkeep including vacuuming the seats, regularly washing it and making sure nobody smokes inside it.

As a final proviso, the news source recommends resisting the urge to customize it. While it might seem like a personalized paint job or stereo boosts its appeal to you, chances are this may not lure in consumers.

Wiper blade maintenance often gets overlooked

While they may be one of the most frequently used parts of a car, wiper blades often get overlooked when it comes to maintenance. Many cars on the road are driving around with blades that are cracked, split, torn or all around ineffective and if you're one of them you are doing yourself and other drivers a great disservice.

It may not seem like much but if your wiper blades are not in great condition it could be considerably obstructing your vision, and all it takes is a bout of heavy rain or snow for you to wish you'd paid better attention to them.

Despite how important windshield wipers are, many people may not know how often they should replace their wiper blades. According to Yahoo! Autos, most experts suggest getting new blades every six to 12 months and there are a few good ways you can check to see if they are losing their effectiveness. Perhaps the easier way is to simply use your windshield washing system – and if the wipers leave behind some residue it may be time to take your car in for a replacement.

In addition to recognizing when your wiper blades need to be replace, it will also behoove you to follow some practices that might preserver their effectiveness a little bit longer. All it takes is following a few small habits including cleaning your windshield every time you get gas and avoiding using the wipers to remove ice or any other hard objects.

Whether you're looking to have a professional replace your wiper blades or perform more substantial maintenance, New Jersey State Auto Auction offers customers with a total car care center at its Jersey City location.

Tips for first-time car buyers

First-time car buyers face a lot of new challenges. While the purchase of a vehicle is certainly a milestone, there are a number of things to consider from financing to insurance. Of course, the most important thing is finding out which car is best for you, and Edmunds.com recently offered a few tips on how to do so.

The first thing to consider is what exactly you need out of a car. While many first-time buyers decide to purchase a stylish or trendy car, they may not actually be buying what they need. Instead, experts recommend asking yourself a few questions before deciding what safety features you're looking for, whether or not you'll be doing any towing or how much seating capacity you need.

Deciding what kind of car you want is just the beginning, however. According to Edmunds, the test drive is of the utmost importance as well. Make sure you drive it in stop-and-go situations, on the highway and on uneven terrain before coming to a decision.

After you've test-driven one car, make sure you head to other dealerships to check out other options. Experts suggest doing it all in one afternoon so that you can accurately compare.

Anybody hoping to get behind wheel of a used car should check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of makes and models for affordable prices.

Consider road test, vehicle history when buying a used car

Although many people turn to used cars to save money, that does not mean the purchasing process should be any less thorough. Still, some experts say a surprising amount of consumers may not be as careful when buying a used car and there are number of steps you should take before making a decision.

One of the most crucial aspects of buying a car, whether new or used, is the road test. However, many people may not know what exactly to look for when they take their prospective purchase out for a drive.

According to Auto123, you should always take the car for a drive around town and on the highway. This way you'll be able to easily see how well it accelerates and merges into traffic. Similarly, if you can mix up the surface you're driving on, be it potholes, gravel or sand, it will give you an idea of how well the vehicle can stand up to tough tests.

Furthermore, AOL Autos suggests finding out about the detailed history of the car before driving it off the lot. While it might seem difficult, it is not too hard to do thanks to websites like Carfax.com, which only requires a vehicle identification number to see its auto history report.

The right choices can cut gas costs by 45 percent

Eco-friendly cars are certainly the pinnacle of fuel-efficiency, but new research suggests that motorists don't have to be driving one to save a significant amount of money on gas. Scientists from the University of Michigan say simply making the right decisions can save consumers as much as 45 percent, USA Today reports.

Strategic choices such as keeping tires properly inflated and using the correct oil can go a long way, and experts say that many people ignore these easy-to-perform tasks.

Simple tactical choices can save money on gas as well. In particular, experts say that planning out routes ahead of time, such as the flattest course or one with the lightest traffic flow can increase gas mileage by as much as 40 percent, the publication reports.

Finally, the way a person drives their car can have a significant impact as well. Everything from using cruise control on the highway to being less aggressive on the road will lower costs.

"Following the remaining good eco-driving practices can still lead to a major reduction in on-road fuel economy," researcher Michael Sivak told the news source.

Drivers looking to downsize their car to save money may want to look to New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers many fuel-efficient cars at affordable prices.

Experts offer back-to-school car safety tips

In most places across the country, school is in full swing, which means many parents are now tasked with driving their kids there each morning. With so many trips in the near future, it would behoove motorists to refresh their memory when it comes to car safety, and CBS News recently shared a few tips from Cooper Tire.

Although tires are arguably the most important part of the car, their upkeep can sometimes go overlooked. Before settling into a fall school routine, Cooper Tire told the news source that you should check a few things – namely the treads. To check the treads, experts recommend using a penny to test the depth. If the top of Lincoln's head is covered then there is an acceptable amount.

Along with the treads, you should be sure to check your tire's air pressure as well. The level should be checked when the tires are cool, and while it may differ from car-to-car, around 30 pounds per square inch is the usual acceptable level.

Finally, CBS offers up a few common sense reminders to keep kids safe in the car. For example avoiding texting or talking on a phone is a must, and obeying the speed limit is especially important with children on board.

Tips to save gas this summer

With summer fast approaching, more and more cars will be hitting the road, and motorists will be looking for ways to save on gas. Luckily, there are a number of small changes drivers can make to reduce their fuel consumption and save money in the upcoming months.

According to Popular Mechanics, one of the easiest ways to reduce fuel consumption is to coast to a stop rather than slamming on the brakes. Anticipating when a light will turn red and gliding to a stop will help reduce waste caused by hard braking.

Another less widely-known way to save on gas is to close the windows and use the air conditioner when traveling at high speeds. The publication found that at 55 miles per hour, having all four windows open drastically decreases aerodynamics, which has a negative effect on fuel-efficiency. So, unless you want to sweat it out with no way to cool off, A/C is the way to go.

As a final tip, experts stress the importance of cruising at a slower speed. While they don't suggest going 55 while the rest of traffic is going 70, they advise keeping it well under 80, as that will quickly deplete your gas tank (not to mention get you a speeding ticket).