Cars are among the most complicated machines that we use on a daily basis. It may not seem like it, but every time you climb into the driver's seat and turn the ignition key, you're setting into motion a complex Rube Goldberg machine of interlocking parts that all have to work in perfect harmony for your car to function the way you need it to.

Of course, you don't have to be an auto mechanic to own and operate a car – thankfully. But even the least mechanically inclined driver should brush up on a few basic maintenance tips and tricks. You don't need to become a total grease monkey, but having some fundamental car maintenance knowledge may save you some time and money later.

Engine oil
Chances are, even if you can't tell a carburetor from a crank shaft, you've had at least some experience checking or changing oil. It's perhaps one of the most basic essential maintenance operations you can perform on your car. Standard wisdom says that you should have your oil changed every 3,000 miles, but according to Edmunds, that's a rough estimate at best. Every car will be different depending on make, model, age and any number of other factors, so the source reported that the best way to get an accurate indication of when you should change your oil is to consult your owner's manual.

Of course, you can check your oil any time. There are minimum and maximum fill lines in the oil tank that you should aim to keep your levels in between. The Department of Motor Vehicles also noted that you should choose the right oil for your engine and climate. Some blends are better for cooler areas, while some thicker and heavier oils perform better in warmer climates.

Battery
Nobody likes leaving work at the end of the day only to find out that their car battery has died and they're stuck waiting for a jump from a service vehicle or a friendly passerby. The battery is part of a car that many drivers don't give too much thought to until it breaks, however.

There's more that can affect your battery than just leaving your interior lights on. For example, rusty or corroded battery contacts can also compromise its performance. Luckily this can be checked easily by popping your hood. Take a look at the battery contacts and gently wipe away any rust or corrosion.

Windshield wipers
There's no worse time to find out that your wiper blades need changing than when you're driving down the highway in a torrential downpour and you find your windshield getting increasingly streaked with every pass of the blades.

There are a few ways to tell if your wiper blades need to be changed. You can give them a quick visual once-over – any ragged or torn edges on the rubber are a sure sign that a replacement is in order. Similarly, if you notice streaking or hear a chattering or slight chirping sound when you use your wipers, that likely means you should have them replaced. NTB Tire and Service Center noted this sound indicates the wiper blades have worn down and are no longer making contact with the windshield when in use.

Replacing wiper blades is a task you should be able to do yourself just fine, but if you find yourself unsure or have never done it before, a mechanic will be happy to do it for you.

Tires
Your tires can affect many facets of your car's performance, from how well it grips the road to what kind of gas mileage you'll get when driving. Inspecting them regularly is important for both safety and economy.

When inspecting your tires, check both the tread and the air pressure. The latter can be checked with a hand-held pressure gauge that you should keep in your car at all times. Once again, refer to your owner's manual for what the desired psi for your tires should be. Your tread you can check with nothing more complicated than a quarter – just stick the edge of the coin in your tire tread. If you can see the top of George Washington's head, your tires have worn down too much and need to be replaced.

Purchasing a high-quality used car can be an exciting and liberating experience. If you're ready to find a car of your own, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. There you'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot and a helpful sales staff that can put you in just the right vehicle.

It’s every driver’s worst nightmare: You walk out to the parking lot from the grocery store, library or even the office, only to discover that your car somehow isn’t where you left it. A brief moment of panic – was your car stolen? – and then the reality of the situation hits – you’ve been towed. Read the rest of this entry >>

The seemingly infinite freedom and convenience of owning a car can suddenly come crashing down around you when it's time to head to the gas station. Rising fuel prices appear to be an inevitability in today's world, which means drivers everywhere have a vested interest in doing whatever they can to get the most out of their gas mileage.

Fortunately, cars are being made that are more fuel-efficient than ever. If you're a used-car owner, however, it's much more helpful to devise ways to get the most out of your existing ride without having to shell out major bucks for a newer car. 

Here are a few tips for milking your mileage and saving some money at the pump.

Keep your car in good shape
This should go without saying, but it's an important gas mileage-related point so it bears repeating. Reason dictates that the better overall shape your car is in, the more efficient it's going to be when it comes to gas mileage. You may be aware of some basic maintenance functions like keeping your oil fresh, but there are other low-level maintenance tasks you can take care of right at home that will keep your gas mileage where you want it to be. Advance Auto Parts noted that poorly maintained spark plugs can reduce your fuel efficiency by up to 12 percent, while something as simple as a dirty air filter can leave your car 20 percent less fuel efficient.

Don't neglect your tires
Your tires are the unsung heroes of your car. You may be aware of the important safety role they play, but they are also significant in keeping your gas mileage in the black, too. The blog Get Rich Slowly noted that underinflated tires can reduce your fuel efficiency by up to 25 percent, while overinflated tires can similarly impact your fuel efficiency in a negative way.

Drive smart
You may be interested to know that when it comes to maximizing your fuel economy, the onus isn't entirely on your car. Your behavior and driving habits can have just as big an impact on how many miles per gallon you get. Anyone who's a veteran of city driving is no stranger to the familiar cadence of stop-and-go traffic, but did you know it's terrible for your fuel efficiency? Repeated accelerating and braking can drop your fuel efficiency, according to Popular Mechanics. For weekday commuters, this may mean getting creative with your work schedule so you can plan your commute around the rush hour period when this type of driving is more or less unavoidable.

Do double duty
Do you need to run to the post office over the weekend to drop off a package? What about heading downtown to catch the final day of a sale at your favorite clothing store? There are constantly little errands that we find ourselves running, but if you take a minute and do some planning, you can reap the benefits when it comes time to head back to the pump. Stop-and-go driving is terrible for your fuel economy, and that goes for taking short jaunts out to various destinations around town and back. Not only will this help you save money at the gas station by cutting down the overall distance you're driving and, by extension, the amount of fuel you're using, but you'll also likely find that it has a positive impact on your time management, as well.

Don't trust miracle products
These days it seems you can find a magic bullet for any occasion, and improving your gas mileage is no exception. But as the old saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Unfortunately, this maxim applies to these miracle products claiming to boost your fuel efficiency. According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, there are currently no products on the market that have been approved to actually improve your car's fuel efficiency, which means any bottle, can or box you find on the shelf at your local auto supply store that claims to do so is lying. Even worse, some products can actually worsen your car's gas mileage, essentially meaning you're paying even more for less.

If you'd rather trade in your car for a more fuel-efficient model, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and you're bound to drive away in the used car that's perfect for your needs.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. This applies to that final season of "Breaking Bad" you've been watching as well as relationship with your car.

But what do you do once you've decided that it's time for you and your beloved car to part ways? Selling your car can be a complicated and intimidating process, especially if it's your first time. Fortunately, with the right knowledge and preparation, it doesn't have to be.

Whether you opt for a trade-in at the dealer or want to take the leap and sell your car yourself, there are a few steps in the process you shouldn't overlook. Keep these tips in mind.

Plan for first impressions
We all know that it's what's on the inside that really counts, but when it comes to selling cars, that isn't necessarily true. While it's obviously important to have your car in great working order if you're trying to sell it, don't neglect the more aesthetic aspects of your vehicle. Like it or not, potential buyers are going to make their first impression of your car based primarily on what it looks like, so a dirty paint job and drab interior upholstery aren't doing you any favors. When you decide to sell your car, your first step should be to wash it and clean the interior thoroughly, so you can show off your ride with pride to those who may be owning it next.

Get it inspected
Nobody likes being burned by purchasing a lemon, so take care not to put another person in that same situation. Have your car inspected by a trusted mechanic before you sell it so that any maintenance issues can be pointed out and fixed. If you forego this step, you're simply giving buyers more ammunition to drive your asking price down.

Do your homework
Do you know off the top of your head how much your car is worth? Chances are, probably not. It's crucial that you take time to look up estimated values of your car based on make, model, mileage and age. Sites such as Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book provide free online tools that can do this for you. Just be aware that these figures are guidelines only – the value of your individual car may be more or less depending on a variety of factors.

When you're ready to sell your car and move on to another one, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You can trade in your existing vehicle for one of hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, all with the help and guidance of friendly sales staff.

Accidents happen. There's no way around it. But while to err is human, when cars and other motor vehicles are involved, there is a whole other level of confusion, chaos and worry that comes along as well.

Especially for newer drivers, car accidents can be an incredibly stressful. Between making sure everyone involved is ok and planning for the next steps regarding insurance and car repairs, dealing with the aftermath of an accident is overwhelming.

Here are a few tips to help you get through this experience as painlessly as possible.

Immediately following the accident
You're stopped at a traffic light or making a left turn through an intersection when suddenly, your whole world is shaken up – literally. You've just been in a car accident. Now what? The most important piece of initial advice may also be the hardest to follow: Don't panic. Sure, you're stressed, but the additional chaos caused by panic can make you overlook otherwise important details.

First things first – get your car off the road either by pulling into a nearby parking lot or moving your car to the shoulder of the road if you're able. This will ensure you stay out of harm's way and can give you the time you need to navigate the rest of the situation. It's also a good idea to have emergency equipment in your trunk like cones, flares and reflective triangles so you can cordon off a safety zone.

Once the dust settles
Now that you've gotten your car out of the way of traffic, assess yourself, your passengers and the people in the other car or cars to find out if anyone is injured. You should always call the police when you're in an accident, but if you need emergency medical services, you'll need to know immediately. 

While you're waiting for the police to arrive, it's the perfect opportunity to gather as much information as possible. Of course you'll want to do the normal "exchange of information" with the other party, swapping insurance details, license plate numbers, phone numbers and addresses. But you'll also want to make as many notes as you can as to the details of the accident. This will come in handy when you're talking to the police or to the insurance company. In the age of smartphones, it's also a good idea to take as many pictures as possible, both of damage to any vehicles as well as any injuries. 

Nobody likes getting into an accident, but remaining calm is crucial.

The aftermath
Once the immediate panic of the accident is over, you'll need to take care of the loose ends. Perhaps the most important thing to do during this period is file a claim with your insurance company. You'll want to do this as quickly as possible, as it's possible the company may want to send a claims investigator to speak with you before determining fault. 

Above all, be honest when speaking with the insurance company. You may think you're saving yourself money and headache by stretching the truth to omit what you think is a small detail, but insurers will investigate accident-related claims extensively, and if their investigation uncovers that you were dishonest, you'll be in even more trouble. 

Taking care of your car
It goes without saying that you'll need to get your car repaired after an accident. This may require you to wait for the insurance company to complete its investigation before you'll be able to cover the maintenance. 

Even if the damage to your car seems minor or negligible, it's highly recommended that you take your car in for an inspection. Even low-speed collisions can impact important things like your car's alignment or any number of other internal components that you may not be able to see.

For more tips on purchasing and owning a high-quality used car, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction.

Purchasing and owning your first car is more than an important milestone. It's also a rite of passage for many. Whether you're a teen driver looking to celebrate a freshly minted license by heading to the used car dealership or a long-time city-dweller finally looking to add an extra bit of mobility to your life, the sheer volume of information you'll encounter when researching and buying a car can be overwhelming. 

There's more to car ownership than just paying your loans and filling your gas tank. Vehicles can be costly in terms of both time and money if you don't have the proper knowledge. Fortunately, with the following tips, you can ensure that your vehicle ownership experience is a positive one from the time you start doing research into which model is for you until it's time to trade in your car for a new model.

Shop smart
Choosing the right car for you isn't anywhere near as simple as picking out produce or selecting a new outfit to wear. Cars aren't purchases. They're investments. That means that you should be thinking years down the road when deciding what model is right for you. 

The key thing to keep in mind is to do your homework. Don't rely on dealers to tell you everything you need to know, as their focus is more likely to be on closing sales than on ensuring you get the best value for your money. Don't be afraid to shop around and compare prices, and never, ever buy the first car you find. 

Start saving
You already know that you'll need quite a bit of money to make your purchasing dream a reality. Aside from the down payment, you've got insurance, monthly payments, gas and regular maintenance costs all piling up as soon as you drive off of the lot. 

Making a budget is crucial to your success, not just to prevent you from overspending, but simply to ensure you have the clearest picture of what your expenses are going to be in the first place. Calculating car costs can be difficult due to a variety of factors that must be considered, such as loan terms and total cost to own, but fortunately there are many reputable sources such as Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book that can provide you with the right information you need to make an educated decision.

Get your hands dirty
Even if you aren't a mechanic or particularly handy, familiarizing yourself with some of your new vehicle's basic components and maintenance tasks is a good idea. You may not be planning on doing much under the hood yourself, but at least being able to recognize which problems certain symptoms may indicate can be a huge time- and money-saver.

At the very least, you should know how to check your oil, where to find your battery – and how to jumpstart your car if needed – check your tires' air pressure and interpret the warning lights on your dashboard. 

Make friends with your mechanic
Your mechanic is like your doctor – the better relationship you have, the more effectively he or she will be able to address your needs. You should shop for a mechanic the same way you do for a car, as not all auto body shops are created equal.

Many dealerships offer on-site mechanical service, especially if they're a licensed vendor for a given car company, but it may be more convenient for you in the long run to find a local mechanic who is capable of handling smaller to medium-sized repair tasks on site. Just be sure that the mechanic you choose is certified to work on cars of your make and model, and that he or she will be able to get any necessary parts for repairs easily if needed.

When you're ready to turn your dreams of car ownership into a reality, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a knowledgeable sales staff ready and willing to help pair you with your dream vehicle. 

The sun shining overhead without a cloud in the sky, and you in your freshly washed car ready to hit the open road for an exciting summer adventure. Could anything possibly ruin this perfect moment?

As it turns out, absolutely. 

There are few things that can put a damper on your plans and your road trip spirit more than making your way out to your car to find that it's already been "claimed" by a nearby flock of birds. Not only can these annoying avians create a serious aesthetic headache, ruining the shiny like-new look of your car, but if left unchecked, they can also have a serious maintenance impact that can end up costing you money. Here are a few things to keep in mind to prevent your car from going to the birds. 

Make your car off-limits
Birds are a lot like small children – they'll go pretty much anywhere they can get away with. This means that when it comes to de-birding your car, prevention plays a significant role. Just like when you're preventing a precocious toddler from grabbing the cookie jar, if you want to keep feathered friends away from your ride, make sure it stays off-limits.

As much as you may be tempted to use your garage to store your old Halloween decorations, unused sporting equipment and a whole host of other items that never see the light of day but that you can't bring yourself to part with, resist the temptation to cave in to clutter. Instead, use your garage for what it was intended for – keeping your car safe. If you don't have a garage, you can accomplish a similar effect by purchasing a cover for your car. As an added bonus, this can help you keep the sun out.

Get it washed
You walk to the parking lot only to find that during the work day a wayward bird has seen fit to mark your car. Better add it to the list of things to take care of this weekend, right?

Wrong. It may not seem like a big deal, but bird droppings can be far more than just an eyesore for your car. Droppings are highly acidic, and if left sitting on your car, these caustic chemicals can eat through your car's clear coat and paint, and may even begin to rust the body. To make matters worse, many urban birds swallow gravel, which makes their droppings particularly abrasive. These damaging effects are even more pronounced in the heat of summer, so be sure to get your car cleaned as soon as you can.

Polish carefully
For those tough stuck-on jobs, you'll likely need to polish your car after you wash it to remove any additional traces of unpleasantness. Just be careful when doing this. The average bird damage area is around 2 millimeters thick, while your car's paint and clear coat is only about 4-6 mm thick. Buffing the affected area is necessary for blending the affected area with the surrounding parts of the car, but if you go too far you may end up damaging the overall paint job. 

For more tips on maintaining or buying a high-quality pre-owned vehicle, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a knowledgeable sales staff committed to helping pair you with the car of your dreams.

The decision to buy a car is a big life step. While having your own wheels can be exciting and liberating, it also requires a great deal of financial responsibility if you want to ensure that you don't end up in trouble later on.

There are a lot of figures to take into account, like loan amounts, monthly payments and estimated cost of ownership, so planning your finances around your car purchase will be more complex than just you might think. Here are some tips to help you avoid punching above your financial weight.

Use a monthly payment calculator
Determining your actual monthly payment will be a huge part of planning your spending. Fortunately, there are numerous tools available for free online that can help you figure out how much you'll be spending every month. All you need to do is enter in a few basic values, such as the cost of the car, your down payment, the loan term and the interest rate, and you'll be provided with a monthly payment value.

Do note that these tools aren't "official," and as such, the information they provide may not be exactly the same as what you get at the dealer's office. With that in mind, an online payment calculator can still be a useful tool.

Cost of ownership takes things like taxes, insurance and other "hidden costs" into account.

Figure out cost of ownership
Cars are unlike many other products in that you don't simply pay once up front. Vehicles carry hidden costs with them in the form of cost of ownership. Sometimes called "true cost to own," this value includes expenditures you may not have originally thought of, such as insurance premiums, depreciation, and estimated fuel and maintenance costs.

This is more than just an exercise in economics. Often, the cost of ownership can be a significant deciding factor in choosing which car to buy. For example, a car may have a higher sticker price than another, but if its total cost of ownership is lower, due to being more fuel efficient or reliable, for example, it may end up being a more cost-effective purchase in the long run.

Putting it all together
This may seem like a lot to take in, especially if you're new to the process. But don't fret – it's still possible, even simple, to use this data to put together a fairly accurate and simple picture of what your prospective car is going to cost you. 

While monthly payment calculators offer a glimpse into your short-term expenditures, the cost of ownership adds a longer look at anticipated costs. Many true-cost-to-own calculations are based on a five-year ownership period. Depending on the term of your loan – three to four years, usually – prorating that value and adding it to your monthly payments over the loan term can help you narrow down the amount you should be putting away for your new ride. It may not be perfect, but if you're heading to the dealership, having as much information as possible will help make the process easier.

When you're ready to purchase a high-quality used vehicle, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. There are hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and you'll find the sales staff helpful and eager to assist you with finding the car that's right for you.

Owning a car is a big responsibility. While your wheels certainly endow you with a sense of freedom and independence, there's also much that you need to be aware of as a vehicle-owner if you want to avoid spending tons of money on repairs.

Of course, cars are incredibly complex machines, and mechanics spend years learning the literal ins and outs of automotive repair so they can help you keep your ride on the road. But there are a few basic things that every driver should know.

Here are four preventive maintenance measures that you don't have to be a mechanic to know.

1. Motor oil
Checking and changing your oil is a key thing to learn in terms of keeping your car running smoothly. Fortunately, it's also one of the simplest. In fact, one of the most complicated parts of checking your oil is figuring out exactly how often to do so.

Ever make and model will be different, but conventional wisdom holds that you should change your oil and oil filter every 2,000 to 3,000 miles if you want to be especially fastidious. Don't worry if that sounds like a lot to you – the Department of Motor Vehicles admitted that you can still drive safely if you change your oil every 5,000 miles. 

While changing your oil may require a trip to the mechanic, checking it is very simple and should only take you a few minutes once you know what you're doing.

2. Windshield wipers
If you've ever been driving in the rain and found that your windshield quickly became a nearly opaque smear of wet streaks, chances are your wipers need to be replaced. You may not realize it, but your wiper blades can wear down, making them less effective and even potentially putting you in dangerous situations with reduced visibility. 

The good news is that wipers are fairly inexpensive, and most people are even comfortable changing them at home. Most modern wiper blades clip directly on to the arm, making for fast and simple snap-together replacement when needed. 

3. Tires
Proper tire maintenance is critical for keeping you safe in your car. These unassuming rubber donuts can affect everything from how well your car handles on the road to what kind of gas mileage you'll get. 

When it comes to tire maintenance, there are two things you should look at: air pressure and tread. Both can be checked quickly and easily. You should check your tire pressure weekly using a pressure gauge – just make sure you refer to your car's owner's manual to learn what the optimal range is. Underinflated tires can compromise responsiveness and therefore safety, while tires that have too much air in them aren't any better. Overinflated tires can reduce the surface area of the tire that comes into contact with the road, which can limit the control you have over your car and increase the amount of fuel it has to use. 

4. Spark plugs
First-time car owners or those who are less mechanically inclined may not even know what a spark plug is, let alone how to perform basic maintenance. But it's a critical component of your car's engine, both helping it efficiently burn fuel as well as transferring excess heat away from your engine.

While many newer cars have spark plugs made from modern materials that are much more resilient than their older counterparts, cars more than 10 to 15 years old will likely have the copper core variety, which require more regular maintenance. As a general rule, have your spark plugs inspected every 30,000 miles or so. If you aren't comfortable taking on the task of changing them yourself, your local mechanic can quickly do so for you.

For more tips on buying, repairing and owning a used car, head to www.njstateautoauction.com. 

You've scrimped and saved, and you're finally ready to purchase your first car. Congratulations! 

Vehicle ownership is a huge step. While having your own set of wheels can make your life much more convenient, it also means there are things you have to consider that you may not have given thought to before. If you're even considering buying your own car, you'll need to learn a whole bunch of scary new words like "financing" and "credit check."

It's true that getting caught up in red tape can somewhat dampen the thrill of driving away in a car of your very own. But if you keep these tips in mind before you sign on the dotted line, you can drive away from the dealership feeling like an automotive authority.

You need credit
Unless you're paying in cash outright, you're going to need to borrow some money to make your car purchase. Car loans come from banks, and banks rely heavily on your credit history to decide whether and how much to approve you for a loan. If you don't have a credit history, your chances of getting approved for a loan may drop significantly.

When you first start thinking about car ownership, building your credit score should be one of your top early-stage priorities. Even if you have exactly zero credit history, you can still work toward building a score with things like a secured credit card, which requires a security deposit in lieu of a credit check. Keep in mind that it can take between six months to a year to build your credit score, so planning ahead is essential. 

Another option is to have your parents or someone with an established credit history cosign your loan, though that places extra pressure on you to keep up with your payments.

Plan carefully when making your budget.

Budget, budget, budget
If you've been saving up to this point, you're likely no stranger to budgeting. But now that you've got a shiny car in your driveway and a monthly car payment to match, you'll need to reexamine your financial situation. Kelley Blue Book noted that just because a car carries a high sticker price doesn't mean it's unattainable. Similarly, a car with a lower cost may still be out of your range due to larger monthly payments.

A good rule of thumb is to plan on spending around $25 a month for every $1,000 you finance if you're on a 48-month repayment plan. If you're financing your car over 60 months, that number shifts slightly to $20 a month per $1,000 borrowed. 

Set realistic expectations
As a first-time car buyer, chances are you're going to have to make compromises when choosing your vehicle. Your car is first and foremost a tool, and just like any other implement, you need to use the one that fits the job. The dealer may offer you a sweet deal on that little red convertible, but can you picture yourself lugging groceries home in it or enduring a multi-hour road trip to visit your parents?

Establishing your specific transportation needs can help you not only choose the right kind of car for you, but also how old or new your chosen model should be. For example, if you plan to use your car primarily to get around town, you should consider a pre-owned model that's a couple of years older, as it's likely to cost much less. Just be sure you look for manufacturer certified pre-owned cars to give you the extra peace of mind.

Keep hidden costs in mind
Just because a car has a given price listed on its sticker doesn't mean that that's what you're going to be paying. In fact, there's a whole statistic that professionals use to measure how much cars actually cost. Referred to as total cost of ownership, it takes into account things like maintenance and repair history, gas, insurance and several other factors that can impact how much you end up spending on your car overall. 

Also keep in mind that not all dealerships are created equal. Excitement is understandable, but don't rush into signing the first contract you're presented with. A car is an investment, and should be treated as such. Do your research online before you start visiting lots. This can tell you useful information such as average value of a car of a given year and model, which can be invaluable when it comes time to negotiate the contract. Having a good idea of what you should be spending on your car based on several corroborated sources can help protect you from overzealous salespeople who may try to take advantage of your neophyte status.

If you're in the market for a pre-owned car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. There are hundreds of Carfax-certified vehicles on the lot, and a helpful sales staff ready and willing to work with you to find the perfect used vehicle for your needs.