For those looking at buying a used car in New York or New Jersey, the better business bureau in neighboring Connecticut has offered some guidelines in making the right choice for a purchase.

While a computer can help make the process easier, even offline work could lead to a more-informed purchase, including talking to friends and family about experiences with various cars and trucks.

Many local libraries have copies of the National Automotive Dealers Association Official Used Car Guide, and other resources include print versions of Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds, which help potential buyers understand what prices they can expect to pay for different makes and models.

“Buying a used vehicle requires homework and planning to ensure that an attractively-priced used car or truck doesn’t have hidden problems that can turn it into a very costly investment in the long run,” says Paulette Scarpetti, Connecticut Better Business Bureau president.

Another hidden cost may be repairs based on recall announcements from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; interested buyers can call a toll-free number or visit the government organization’s website.

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It’s National Tire Safety Week, do you know how much inflation your tires require?

Even for those looking at used cars in New York, the question could be an important one for both the owner’s safety and pocketbook, according to recent research by the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association.

They worked with local tire retailers to find out the levels of inflation people were driving around on, and of the 5,400 vehicles that were checked, less than one in 10 had measurements that matched manufacturer’s specifications.

“Few actions that are so simple and quick to do have such striking benefits,” said Charles A. Cannon, RMA president and CEO. “Taking five minutes every month to check tire pressure will put money in consumers’ pockets, reduce national fuel consumption, help tires last longer and save lives.”

Accidents caused by poor tire maintenance injure 33,000 Americans every year, according to the Natitonal Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but it also affects the wallet.

As President Obama pointed out on both the campaign trail and during an Earth Day speech, tire pressure is one way to save money at the pumps with increased fuel mileage.

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For those looking at used cars in New Jersey, a diesel-fueled vehicle may offer more fuel economy, but as one report illustrates, new adopters should take some time when they get to the pumps.

While green pumps mean good to go for diesel users in America, police in the UK are having a hard time differentiating between the two fuel types for their cars, according to a Mirror report that found over the past three years, about $1.6 million in repairs have been required to fix cars filled with the wrong fuel.

To remedy the damage, departments have to flush out the fuel system, as well as potentially repairing the engine and then refueling the vehicle, according to the news provider.

While the concerns over what pump to use could lead to problems, diesels on average are about 5 percent more efficient than normal engines of the same size according to Kelley Blue Book, which could leave more money in the wallet for someone looking at used cars in New Jersey.

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While many dealers offer warranties on low mileage used cars in New Jersey, one oil company is willing to sweeten the deal for customers that use their products.

Depending on what oil an owner decides to use when maintaining his or her car, Valvoline says it will cover the cost of an engine failure up to $5,000 until the odometer reaches 300,000 miles.

There are some restrictions in place, like having to register the car before it’s traveled 75,000 miles, owning a 1990 model or newer and keeping the engine free of modified components like those used for racing.

But for those who change their own oil, or who have the work done at a company-sponsored center every 4,000 miles, it may offer another layer of protection in case of engine failure not related to an accident after an 18-month probation period.

Owners are allowed three chances to make a mistake in either using the wrong oil, not changing it for up to 6,000 miles, or not recording the services performed.

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