Car ownership can be an expensive affair. While sometimes your car can be your best friend, other times it can as much a source of frustration as an unannounced visit from the in-laws. It's true that all cars are different, but there are a couple of common sticking points that many drivers typically find themselves contending with. Here are some of the maintenance snafus you'll want to keep your eyes open for, as doing so can save you both frustration and money.

The check engine light
Drivers everywhere have, at one point or another, come face to face with the dreaded check engine light. Though that little red eye glaring ominously at you from your dashboard could be indicative of a serious and costly problem with your engine, many of us have learned to live with it as part of our daily driving experience. In fact, CarMD.com spokesperson Kristin Brocoff told Edmunds that 10 percent are driving around with the check engine light on, and half of them have been staring at drivers for three months or longer.

The good news is that while this little light can point to a host of bigger problems, oftentimes the real issue is deceptively simple and actually cheap to get fixed. According to Edmunds, one of the primary functions of the light is to monitor vehicle emissions. Fixes for the indicator's appearance have ranged from tightening the gas cap to making sure the car's oxygen sensor is working properly. These may seem like minor fixes, but engine light-related troubles can impact your car's fuel efficiency, so getting the issues resolved quickly can actually save you money in the long run.

Losing your keys
We've all had those moments where we frantically scour our homes for our misplaced car keys that we could swear we just had in our hands. Though not strictly a maintenance issue, car key loss can definitely contribute to racking up unnecessary expenditures. Especially with today's current technology, including things like remote keyless entry, laser cut keys and transponder keys, replacing lost keys can add up to a costly and frustrating endeavor. 

If your car needs maintenance, make an appointment at NJ State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center. Their skilled mechanics can help you address any maintenance issues, large or small, that may be keeping you from getting the most out of your car.