If you're in the market for a used car, chances are you've heard the phrase "certified pre-owned" while you've been doing your research. This is the term used to describe used cars that are backed by a guarantee from the manufacturer and the dealer, which is designed to give consumers additional peace of mind when buying used.

But for the uninitiated, navigating the world of certified pre-owned cars and all the implications thereof can be overwhelming. Nobody wants to get burned by a bad decision made from incomplete information. What's really important about buying certified and what do you need to know before you sign on the dotted line?

Here are a few things to keep in mind the next time you're at the dealership. 

Expect to pay more – but not much more
One thing that may turn prospective buyers off from purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle is the additional up-front cost usually associated with such a car. While it's true that you are likely to spend more on the day of your purchase buying a certified used car than one without that guarantee, the overall benefit far outweighs the initial investment.

In fact, according to CBS News, a survey that looked at 3.5 million certified used cars sold in 2014 and 2015 found that on average, buyers only paid around $722 more than they would have on cars without certification. When you consider the benefits that certified cars come with – such as extended manufacturer's warranty and a multiple-point inspection before the point of sale – you're likely saving money in the long run.

'Certified' doesn't always mean certified
While certified pre-owned vehicles are becoming more popular, it's important to note that not all cars that bear the title carry the same guarantees. There's a big difference, for example, between a manufacturer-certified car and a dealer-certified one. In general, the former is what you should be looking for, as the extended warranty is typically more extensive.

But how can you tell the difference, especially when dealers aren't advertising it themselves? According to Edmunds, the rule of thumb is this: You can only buy manufacturer-certified vehicles from a manufacturer's franchised dealer. In other words, if you can't buy new models from the dealer, you likely won't be able to find a manufacturer-certified pre-owned vehicle either.

Nothing is perfect
Buying certified is a great way to get the additional peace of mind that can help you feel confident in your used car purchase. But don't let that seal of approval lull you into a false sense of security. Yes, certified pre-owned vehicles undergo significant inspections before they're sold, but that doesn't mean that they're going to be free of problems.

In fact, it may not be a bad idea to have a third-party inspection performed before signing on the dotted line. After all, there's nothing wrong with getting a second opinion, especially with a major purchase like a car that will hopefully be with you for years.

If you're shopping for a used car, head over to NJ State Auto Auction. There are hundreds of Carfax-certified vehicles available to choose from, giving you the peace of mind that you're making a sound investment in whatever vehicle you choose. 

Summer and road trips go hand-in-hand for many. The season is synonymous with freedom, the open road and good times spent with even better friends. Whether you plan out your itinerary stop-by-stop or decide that you're just going to hit the pavement and drive, road trippers have to prepare for spending a lot of time in their cars this season. 

With this in mind, it's important to keep your car not just comfortable, but safe as well. There are a number of car-related hazards you may face, both on the road and elsewhere, that you should be aware of before you get going. Here are a few things to keep in mind this summer to keep everyone safe, happy and comfortable on your big trip.

Get your car inspected before heading out on any major road trips.

1. Don't neglect your maintenance
It goes without saying that keeping your car in tip-top shape should be the No. 1 priority for anyone considering a road trip. This isn't just a last-minute process, either – you should be staying on top of your car's maintenance schedule year-round. After all, it's far easier and cheaper to take a preventive approach to car maintenance rather than a reactive one. This is particularly important for used cars that have more miles on them than newer models.

Be sure to hit all the basics: check your oil, have your tires rotated, check your tires' air pressure and stay current with your tune ups. It's also helpful to schedule a performance check-up with your mechanic before your scheduled departure so you can catch any potential issues before they turn into significant problems.

2. Stay cool around kids and pets
Sadly, kids and pets still get left in hot cars during the summer months far more often than they should be. This is due largely to people not being aware of how dangerous excessive heat can be for those stuck inside a car. According to Titan Insurance, it takes just three minutes in the sun for a car to heat from 78 degrees to over 100 degrees, which can seriously endanger children and pets alike.

Whether you're running errands around town or hitting the road for a long trip, don't bring along your kids or pets if you can't bring them with you when you arrive at your destination. You can make this easier by frequenting businesses that offer drive-through services rather than making you go inside. Opening your car's back door whenever you park is a good habit to get into, as that ensures you aren't leaving anyone behind. 

3. Stay safe on the road
Extreme summer heat can pose problems for cars that can lead to dangerous situations while driving. For example, your car's interior can heat up even as you drive if it's in direct sunlight. Try to mitigate the excessive heat in your car by parking in the shade or using a removable screen in your windshield when you park to prevent too much sun from beating in. 

In addition to staying cool yourself, it's also important to keep your engine temperature under control. It's easy for a radiator to overheat in the hot sun, which can leave you in a pickle quickly. You should regularly check your car's coolant, as well as its belts, fans and grille, to keep things under the hood as cool as possible. If you notice that any plastic or rubber components have melted or warped due to the heat, replace them immediately before they become a greater problem down the road. 

If you're looking for the perfect used vehicle for your summer road trip, head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction. There are hundreds of Carfax-certified vehicles on the lot and a helpful staff ready to assist you with finding the perfect car for your needs. 

Summertime probably means you'll be taking a road trip to somewhere at some point. Maybe you're driving an hour to the nearest beach or heading out on a long journey across country. Regardless, the absolute last thing you want is to have your car break down while you're in the middle of a trip, especially if it's due to something you could have easily prevented. So whether you're driving a Mercedes-Benz or a Ford, do the smart thing this summer and follow these simple tips to avoid a breakdown.

Keep up with the up-keep
The first question you should be asking yourself when considering your car's well-being is, "Am I properly maintaining my vehicle?" Whether you've had your vehicle for a few years or you've just acquired a used car, be aware of the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. You can find it in your owner's manual, which you should probably look through if you haven't already. The schedule will include recommendations for fluid changes, tire rotations and other services based on your vehicle's mileage. Some of the things you might see are detailed in the list below that you can either check yourself, or have your mechanic inspect to be sure you and your car are up to speed. 

The tires
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reported that low tire pressure is the leading cause of blowouts. Check your tire pressure when the tires are cold, or when you haven't driven on them for any considerable distance, the NHTSA said. The manufacturer's recommended tire pressure can be found on the inside of your driver-side door panel. It's a good idea to keep a tire-pressure gauge in your car, so you'll always be able to tell whether or not you need some air. 

You should ensure your tires are still in good condition, especially if you're switching back to summer tires from winter tires. Inspect each tire for any cracking or potential leaks, especially if you've checked the pressure and found it to be low. You should also check the tread using the penny trick, the NHTSA recommended. Rest a penny in the tread, with Lincoln's face upside-down – if you can see the top of his head you should probably have your tires replaced. If not, you're all set.

If the tires seem to have uneven wear patterns, they may need to be re-aligned, according to the NHTSA. Have your mechanic inspect the alignment and rotate the tires if necessary. This will ensure they wear evenly and prolong their life.

Something breakdowns can be easily avoided

The radiator
Overheating on the highway is a common occurrence in the summer time, so keeping tabs on the health of your radiator system is very important. Car Talk reported that it's crucial to check the radiator core, especially if you live in an area where salt is used heavily on roads in the winter, as it can rot the tubes that carry the coolant. Have a mechanic test the core to see if the tubes are showing any signs of corrosion.  

The coolant itself should also be full and healthy. Most coolants nowadays last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, but if your car is in that range you may need to replace it, according to Car Talk. Before you even ask, yes, you still need antifreeze in the summer. Antifreeze has a much higher boiling point than water and it will help keep the engine cool in extreme temperatures.

The thermostat must also be working well if you're going to keep the engine cool. If the thermostat is stuck, all the coolant in the world won't keep your engine from overheating, according to Car Talk.

Oil and transmission fluid
If you don't have enough oil in your engine, you risk severe damage or even seizure. This will not only stop you in your tracks, it will cost you a fortune to replace the engine if it seizes. So, always check your oil level before heading out on a long trip. It's also essential to make sure you're changing the oil regularly. Most manufacturers recommend changing the oil and filter every 5,000 miles, Car Talk said. If you change the oil and it gets dirty quickly, you may need an engine flush to help remove excess dirt and residue buildup. 

The same is true for your transmission fluid. While it doesn't need to be replaced nearly as often as oil, sustained high temperatures and bad transmission fluid don't mix. You can look at it yourself – good fluid should look reddish-brown while fluid that needs to be changed will be very dark and may not have any red tinge left at all. If it looks bad, have the transmission flushed and the fluid replaced. 

The air conditioner
This one is a no-brainer. Nobody wants to be stuck in a hot car in the summertime, and having the air conditioner checked is the best way to prevent that. Start by running the air conditioner and testing how cold it is. If it's not pumping cold air, you might need to have it serviced. How Stuff Works said that low refrigerant is the leading cause of faulty air conditioners. Have a mechanic ensure you have enough refrigerant and more importantly, that none is leaking. Some cars also come equipped with a cabin air filter, which cleans the air as it's pumped through the vents and into the vehicle. You want to be sure the filter is clean, so check your owner's manual to see if your car has one and where it is. 

Seatbelts and car seats
Once you've ensured everything else on this list is in working order, be sure to follow proper safety procedures inside the car as well. Everyone riding in the vehicle must be buckled at all times. When traveling with young children, they need to be properly restrained in the back seat. The NHTSA has a slew of safety guidelines that not all available car seats adhere to. If you're a new parent, read through the NHTSA's guidelines to ensure you're doing it right from the start. It's also recommended that you buckle all unused seatbelts so that children will be less likely to become entangled if they're playing around in the backseat. 

Stick to these guidelines and you're likely to avoid any serious bumps on your summer road trip.

You may have celebrated the arrival of spring – and the impending summer travel season – with the purchase of a used car. If you haven't made the leap quite yet, the team at NJ State Auto Auction can help you find a great option for your upcoming road trips and beach commutes, ensuring you get behind the wheel of a high-quality vehicle without breaking the bank. You'll still need to care for this car, and a good place to start is with a massive cleaning. 

Tips and tricks for washing your car
Maintenance should start with a thorough car wash. A hand wash is often the best option, but you need to have the right materials to make sure you're approaching the process correctly. News station WVLT suggested starting with two buckets: one with clean water and the other with soap and water, which ensures you have fresh liquid to do the final once-over. It's best to start from the top of your vehicle and work your way down. This allows you to attack the dirtiest sections last – preserving the life of your sponges – and ensure sections you've already cleaned don't become dirty again. 

Car Talk noted that this whole process should be completed in the shade. The source reported that hot cars cause the soapy mixture to dry quickly, leading to streaks and unsightly stains. High temperatures can also soften the paint and increase the odds of scratches. To avoid these problems, wait for a cool car surface and use plenty of water. 

Washing a car is an essential part of maintenance.

Washing the car is just the beginning, as your job isn't done until you've waxed the vehicle as well. Waxing is essential for protecting the paint of the vehicle – something that is especially important if you have a used car. After you've rinsed and dried your car, use a basic exterior wax. Your surface will be guarded against rain and other debris while also looking glossy and new. 

What's happening under the hood?
A few aspects of your vehicle's engine may need some attention. If you're not sure of what to do, make sure you read your owner's manual for information on your maintenance checklist, recommended cleaners and other car-specific tips. You can also head to a servicing center for input from experts. 

Your manual will probably tell you to get regular tune ups. The importance of this action can't be understated, but there are a few other measures you can take to guarantee your used car is ready for spring and summer. Check the air filter first. A replacement filter will keep pollen and other pollutants away from your car, allowing you to breath easier and increase fuel efficiency. 

You'll need to clean off the interior of your vehicle as well.

Make your driving experience a clean one

Once the exterior and the inner workings of the car are cared for, it's time to take a look around your personal driving space. Shake out and spray down floor mats, vacuum the carpets and throw out any trash that has accumulated through the winter. Then you can turn your attention to your dashboard and similar dials around the interior. Car Talk suggested using tools like a toothbrush or paint brush, which are ideal for cleaning around buttons and reaching all of the crevices found in a car. 

Finally, make sure your windshield and wipers are ready for spring rain and summer thunderstorms. Check the wipers to see if they need to be replaced and refill wiper fluid to ensure you're stocked for the coming months. A car wash will clean off the windows, so all you'll have to do is double-check for streaks or missed spots that could otherwise hurt your visibility. Go over these locations with a proper glass cleaner. You'll be a better, more focused driver if your car is clean and distraction-free. 

Drivers on the East Coast have a lot of obstacles to overcome. Not only do they have to navigate tough winters, but they must deal with the after-effects of this season as well. In many regions, this includes driving on streets loaded with potholes. 

How potholes are formed
Potholes are a common sight in the spring. That's unsurprising, as the divots are typically caused by water that seeps into the pavement, which is unavoidable in the spring as snow and ice melts. According to Hankook Tires Quarterly Gauge Index, about 37 percent of Americans stated that there were more potholes in 2014 than the year before, and 2015 is projected to be even worse. 

Potholes can cause a lot of damage to your car.

Potholes form when water soaks into the road surface and into the ground below the cement, where it freezes again should the temperature drop. This ice expands and pushes the pavement up, leading to permanent shifts in the roadway that eventually give way to potholes. The only solution is to resurface the affected area. 

Driving protocol for potholes

You can report potholes to the state or local government in the hopes that they will be repaired in a timely manner. However, it may take a while before you're back to riding smoothly on the roads, so it helps to know how to effectively avoid potholes. Despite this fact, the Quarterly Gauge Index found that only 14 percent of U.S. drivers know how to approach the pothole problem. Additionally, more than half of these motorists regularly engage in practices that could be doing more harm than good. 

So how should you react to a pothole behind the wheel? To start, don't swerve. Moving your car around wildly and suddenly can lead to major collisions, especially on busy streets. Your best course of action is to slow the car as you approach the divot. Stay in your lane to increase your personal safety and simply reduce your speed, which limits the force at which your car careens into the pothole. 

Drivers should also learn how to handle the side effects of running through a pothole. It's common to see damage to tires and the car's suspension, so you should be able to conduct a spot check of these aspects after you hit one of the obstacles. Professionals can handle most of the serious work, but it's up to you to monitor the vehicle's performance and note when an expert may be needed. 

You have options
Have you experienced damage due to a pothole? You aren't out of options. Minor problems can be reported to the government as part of an insurance claim, but more significant damage may necessitate the purchase of a used car. If that's the case, head to NJ State Auto to browse through a wide selection of Carfax-certified vehicles. There, you'll be able to locate just the right car for you at what's sure to be a friendly price. 

Now that the calendar has finally turned to March, it's time to think ahead to spring. While you may be looking forward to baseball season, March Madness and perhaps even a much-needed spring cleaning, you shouldn't neglect your car. 

"Your car has been through a long winter, working overtime in harsh conditions, but factors such as extreme cold, potholes and road salt have taken a toll," said Rich White, the executive director of the Car Care Council. "Most Americans rely on their vehicles nearly every day to get to work, school and everywhere in between, so taking the time for car care now can save headaches and money in the long run."

Do you think your car needs some TLC to start the spring? Follow these tips to make sure you're staying safe and saving money behind the wheel. 

Stick to a maintenance schedule
During the transition from winter to spring, you'll need to invest in some preventative maintenance for your car and perhaps even a bit of auto repair stemming from problems caused by the colder months. A quick tune-up can ensure your brakes, battery and tires are in good shape after handling lots inclement weather. You'll also want to double-check the windshield wipers and fluid levels to guarantee you're ready for spring conditions.  

Keep it clean
One of the most important things you can do as a car owner is keep your vehicle clean. Use springtime as a reminder to care for the interior and exterior of your car. It should start with a thorough washing and waxing. This will remove any road salt or similar corrosive debris from the outside and undercarriage of the vehicle, which can prevent rusting and other damage. Waxing will also protect the outside from the heavy rains that often take place during spring. 

Upgrade when necessary
Maybe this winter was harsh on your current ride and hindered its performance. If that's the case, it may be time to upgrade to a high-quality used car. Head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction to browse through hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars and select the one that's right for you. You can take advantage of low prices, the driver-friendly auction process and the in-house financing department to find a vehicle and repayment plan that are easy on your wallet. 

Drivers in the tri-state area are no strangers to heavy traffic. Whether you're trying to get in or out of New York City, fighting out-of-towners on the turnpike or battling summer beachgoers by the shore, you know what it's like to wait behind a line of other idling cars. No one likes this obstacle, as it adds a lot of time to a commute and can put drivers at risk for collisions. 

What drivers need to know
TomTom recently released a study on traffic congestion throughout the U.S. Most of the worst examples of these vehicular back-ups occur during the afternoon rush hour. In fact, the report found that commuters spent so much time stuck in traffic in 2014 that they could have traveled to the moon and back as many as 2.5 times. And that only counts congestion from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. – meaning the real figures are much more significant. 

Avoiding annoying traffic
So you want to bypass the worst of the traffic – now what? TomTom noted that people in the New York area may want to use a few pieces of knowledge to their advantage. For starters, people leaving the city may want to avoid leaving on the hour, such as at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., in favor of departing at the 30- or 45-minute mark. The report stated that leaving at these times, whether it's 5:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. or 4:45 p.m., can take as much as 25 minutes off of your travel time. Conversely, people who leave at 5 p.m. on the dot may find that an hour-long commute doubles to nearly two hours. 

How to save money and time
You can take advantage of every driving trick in the book, but odds are you're still going to end up stuck in traffic – at least periodically. This doesn't have to be the end of the world. People who are behind the wheel of reliable, efficient vehicles can rest assured that they – and their wallets – are protected on the roads. A good car will be fuel efficient, so it doesn't waste too much gas idling. 

If you don't trust your current ride in traffic, don't waste time and head over to NJ State Auto Auction. There you can browse through hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars, trucks and vans to find a vehicle that meets all of your needs. Not only can these automobiles handle traffic smoothly, but they can also save you gas money in the long run.