Honda’s commitment to hybrids highlights importance of fuel efficiency

The 2011 Tokyo Motor Show included some of the most innovative designs in the automotive world, but Honda decided to highlight its continued commitment to fuel-efficient cars. Along with renewing its commitment to drastically cut carbon emissions over the next 10 years, company CEO Takanobu Ito also hinted that Honda may try to roll out a new hybrid version of the Accord.

What is surprising about the announcement is that it would not be the first Accord hybrid to hit the United States. According to USA Today, a fuel-saving model supposedly hit the American and Canadian markets in 2005, but by the end of 2007, the company decided to end the experiment. The car performed poorly in sales largely because it did not save as much as gas as the name led consumers to believe.

Despite the lack of success with the hybrid Accord, Ito said in a speech at the convention that Honda is developing a new engine that will hopefully make the cars more eco-friendly and exciting to drive.

"Under the name 'Earth Dreams Technology,' Honda has created a new next-generation engine and transmission series, which we will apply to our products to realize both 'fun' and 'environmental' values at a high level," he said at the conference.

While it may be some time until Honda rolls out some more fuel-efficient models, there is some good news for motorists looking to save money at the pump. According to USA Today's Drive On blog, the national average for a gallon of gas dropped to around $3.25 and while that is certainly not cheap it's good news that the price is dipping during a time when it is usually on the rise. Additionally, it's a considerable drop compared to the average of around $3.90 earlier this year.

Along with the car you choose and the price of fuel, there are several types of maintenance you can perform to ensure your vehicle gets the best gas mileage possible. According to Edmunds.com, easy steps like keeping your tires properly inflated and checking your air filter can all pay off.

Getting your engine tuned also yields numerous benefits when it comes to fuel efficiency, and New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center makes the process easy. Located in Jersey City, the center is open to the public and can go a long way to getting the most out of your car.  

Buy a used car before the end of the year, analysts say

If you're on the fence about buying a used car before the end of the year, some new information may change your mind. Kelley Blue Book's website kbb.com reports that used car prices are going to rise in early 2012 and could increase as much as 6 percent.

Not only will prices likely be on the way up after the new year but they are also at their lowest point in quite some time. Analysts say that used car prices have been falling steadily since June and are expected to continue on that trend through December. Add that to the fact that sales tend to decline during the fourth quarter anyway, and the next few weeks are shaping up nicely for those in the market for a new ride.

"Used-car values typically decline through the fourth quarter due to a seasonal drop in demand that lasts through the holiday season," said Alec Gutierrez, manager of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book. "We believe sales volume also will decline through the remaining fourth quarter, similar to years past, and as a result values will likely remain soft through year-end, with few exceptions."

Along with timing, which car you choose is also important. According to Edmunds.com, some of the best used cars for 2011 are the 2004-2009 Nissan Altima and 2006-2009 Hyundai Azera as well as the 2004-2009 Ford Explorer.

If you're looking to take advantage of the low prices, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the place to go. Regardless of the time of year, the lot has a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, and each vehicle is Carfax certified so you know you're getting a reliable product. 

Tips that will save drivers money this winter

Not only does the winter present motorists with a number of challenges while driving their car, it may also make it more expensive to do so. With added complications like waiting for the vehicle to warm up and expensive winter tires, the costs can start to add up. However, according to The Record, there are some tips that can help you save money as the temperature starts to drop.

Among the most common practices of motorists during the winter is letting their car warm up in the cold weather. Though it may make your ride a bit more comfortable at first, letting it idle for as much as 10 minutes can be a big waste. Experts say that your car really needs no more than one minute of warm-up time.

Along with knowing how long you should run your car, you may also want to consider what is in it. While it may not seem like a big deal, cleaning out your trunk can save you a lot of money on gas. In fact, the newspaper reports that every 99 pounds of extra weight can increase fuel consumption by about 2 percent.

Furthermore, you should follow certain steps when it comes to climate control. Of course, you'll want to, and have to, use the defroster every now and then but make sure you don't let it run longer than necessary or you could end up using more fuel than you might think.

As a final step, most experts recommend getting a winter tune-up before the harsh weather sets in. New Jersey State Auto Auction makes it easy to do so thanks to its Total Car Care Center. Located in Jersey City, the center offers auto maintenance and repairs so you can keep your car on the road as long as possible.  

Despite slight growth in delinquency, auto loans continue to rise

Although the delinquency rate on auto loans rose slightly compared to last quarter, it dropped considerably in relation to the third quarter last year, marking the eighth consecutive quarter to see a year-over-year decrease. According to TransUnion, the rate dropped to 0.47 percent from 0.58 percent in 2010, meaning good news for lenders, dealers and consumers alike.

Along with the decrease compared to last year, the fact that the delinquency rate rose in relation to the second quarter should not be viewed negatively because of historical precedent. Most years since 2000, delinquency rates have risen in the third quarter due to seasonal influences.

"The number of new auto loans coming on the books has continued trending upward since the end of the recession," Peter Turek, automotive vice president in TransUnion's financial services business unit. "A primary driver of this is relaxed lending policies of creditors. However, on a year-over-year basis, delinquencies have now dropped for eight consecutive quarters even in the face of increased lending to the subprime market."

Consumers who are looking to get behind the wheel of a used car but are still concerned about whether or not they may be approved for a loan will want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which provides customers with automatic approval regardless of their credit history.

Getting a loan from New Jersey Auto can help people rebuild their credit through a number of different channels but most importantly, paying a loan back on time is a great way to improve one's credit score. Furthermore, if a customer has no history, there are few better ways to start one than with an auto loan. 

Stay on top of fluids to keep car on the road

It almost goes without saying that drivers should be on top of regular auto maintenance, but as more and more people try to keep their cars on the road even longer, certain aspects of vehicular upkeep have come to the forefront. Although making sure every part of the car is in good working order is important, according to NBC affiliate WDIV, some are more crucial than others.

Fluids play a vital role in a car's operation, so it should come as no surprise that ignoring the fluid levels can be one of the most serious mistakes a driver can make. Not only will this mistake cost motorists a great deal of money, but not changing the fluids on time can also cause some irreparable damage to the car. Experts say that ignoring the warning signs is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.

"If the light is on, you need to shut the engine off now because you have no idea what kind of damage you could be doing," industry insider Mark Larsen told the news channel. "Either light – the coolant light or engine oil light – if either one of them come on, you better be pulling over and stopping what you’re doing."

To ensure that your car has enough fluid, whether it be engine coolant, oil or transmission, you may want to take it to a professional for regular maintenance. New Jersey Auto Auction provides motorists with its Total Car Care Center, which is open to the public. Located in Jersey City, the department can also help with auto repairs to ensure your car is on the road as long as possible.  

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.  

Thanksgiving highlights the importance of auto maintenance

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel days of the year. In fact, AAA estimates that about 38.2 million Americans will be making the trip to their destination by car this year. With the increased amount of people on the road, now is an excellent time to highlight the importance of maintenance to ensure that motorists get to their destinations easily and safely, and CBS affiliate WIBW reports there are some things all drivers should consider.

Whether it's before taking off for Thanksgiving or simply for regular upkeep, car owners should check their tires fairly often. Most importantly, keeping the tire pressure at the right level will both provide traction and reduce the chances of a blowout. Additionally, you should make sure that the spare tire is in good working order should the need ever arise to use it.

There's nothing worse than being stranded with a dead battery. Though it's a common problem, it can often sneak up on unsuspecting drivers. According to the news channel, you should make sure the terminals are both secured and free of corrosion and if not, it should be cleaned or replaced.

As a final maintenance step, you should make sure all the fluids are at the right levels. Regardless of whether or not you're traveling 10 minutes or five hours to reach your destination, things like oil and radiator coolant are crucial.

Although there is a long list of auto maintenance you can take care of yourself before you travel this holiday season, sometimes you need the help of a professional. New Jersey State Auto Auction provides motorists with an easy way to get their car looked at with its Total Car Care center. Located in Jersey City, the center is open to the public and will make sure your vehicle is running smoothly.  

L.A. Auto Show features practical cars

Though often regarded as a showcase for some of the world's most luxurious cars, this year's Los Angeles Auto Show was a little different than in years past. Although there was still a fair amount of impressive vehicles, the larger focus was on consumer-friends sedans and crossover SUVs, the Los Angeles Times reports.

One of the highlights of the show was the debut of the 2013 Ford Escape, which has earned its place among the most popular SUVs on the road. Though its been around for more than a decade, the latest model of the Escape was so eagerly awaited due to the fact that it has a redesigned cabin, which offers more space, as well as a new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

The Escape's main competitor, the Honda CR-V, also debuted its latest model, the L.A. Times reports. It may not have a new look like the Escape, but it includes several new features such as in-car audio streaming and a new 185-horsepower engine.

Although SUVs made a big splash in the show, practical sedans also garnered their fair share of attention, most notably the 2012 Hyundai Azera. The model enjoys a new, sleeker look and is expected to compete with industry standards such as the Ford Taurus and Volkswagen Passat, according to the newspaper.

Though not everyone can make their way to the L.A. Auto Show, consumers can certainly take a few hints on what the best used cars to buy are. New Jersey Auto Auction offers drivers with a wide variety of makes and models and they're all at affordable prices. Additionally, ever product is Carfax Certified so you know you're getting a good deal. 

Ashton Kutcher tries to save marriage with $100K Lexus

Most men have tried to persuade their significant other to stay with them through a grand gesture, but "Two and a Half Men" star Ashton Kutcher recently put everyone else to shame in a last-ditch effort to stay married to wife Demi Moore. Sources close to the actor say he bought Moore a 2012 Lexus 600h about two weeks before she announced they were getting divorced, celebrity gossip website TMZ.com reports.

The lavish present was for Demi's birthday and turned out to be a gift that fell flat. It's an impressive car nonetheless. The hybrid Lexus is not only a top-of-the-line luxury car but it gets about 22 miles per gallon around the city, which is no small feat for the powerful ride.

Although Kutcher is the latest celebrity to give an extravagant ride as a gift, he certainly is not the only one. Luxury cars are often one of the most popular presents that celebrity couples choose to give each other – though maybe for better reasons than trying to save a marriage.

According to MSN Cars, one of the most impressive vehicles given as a gift lately was the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport that Beyonce gave husband Jay-Z for his 41st birthday in 2010. The convertible, often regarded as one of the best sports cars in the world, cost an estimated $1.8 million.

Of course, it's not always couples bestowing lavish rides on each other. Adam Sandler gave David Spade, Chris Rock, Kevin James and Rob Schneider each a Maserati Quattroporte for their work on his movie "Grown Ups."

Celebrity car watchers should be on the lookout in the coming weeks as the holiday season will likely see some big gifts. 

Black Friday a great time to trade in cars

The day after Thanksgiving is widely recognized as one of the best shopping days of the year at retail stores but what consumers might not know is that it is also a great day to trade in one's car as well. Auto dealers say that many of them are buying up used cars as demand is steadily growing, NBC affiliate KARE reports.

The reason now is the best time for trade-ins is that many drivers chose to hold on to their cars longer in the wake of the recession. This caused a shortage of used cars and now lots are trying to fill the gap. Analysts say that dealers are not too picky either.

"Cuts across every brand, every model," Minnesota Auto Dealers Association Vice President Scott Lambert told the news channel. "Dealers are excited to work with you on a late model used car."

Of course, just because the demand is high doesn't mean that you should ignore steps that will help you get more for your car. According to Bankrate.com, one of the most important things to do is research before you bring your car in. This way you'll be able to come prepared with a general idea of how much your car is worth to know if you're getting a fair deal.

Additionally, making sure the car looks as good as possible, both inside and out can go also help you get top dollar.

As a final step you'll want to visit a reliable dealer like the New Jersey State Auto Auction. Along with promising a fair price, the business is an Autotrader.com Trade In Marketplace Dealership so you can get an appraisal in a matter of seconds.