Washing your car does more than keep it looking good. While some drivers may think that a cleansing is purely for aesthetic purposes, it is actually a necessary action that can improve the longevity and function of a vehicle. Of course, that is just part of the reason why motorists should be caring for the exteriors of their cars. 

"Simply cleaning your vehicle not only fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment, but it also protects your valuable vehicle investment," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "It's a task that takes very little money or effort, but has huge returns." 

Used cars need a bit of attention. Regular washing and polishing can prevent the buildup of harmful chemicals, such as the salt that is used to coat roadways in the winter. Getting rid of these and other potentially dangerous materials can extend the life of your car and its paint job, ensuring you'll be driving around in a vehicle that looks as good as it functions. 

Grime that accumulates on the surface of a car can chip away at paint, exposing the metal frame underneath to the elements. Drivers who make it a point to clear off this buildup should be sure to use specific cleaners that are designed for automobiles. Dish soaps or similar detergents are too abrasive and can destroy the exterior you are trying to protect, whereas compounds made specifically for vehicles offer better protection. 

To find the perfect used car that you can take care of, start looking at the options at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot has hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans that could be the ideal investment for any type of buyer. 

Most drivers rely on the quality of their car's performance to clue them in on what is going on under the hood. However, motorists can use their sense of smell to figure out when their automobile needs a little extra attention. 

"Unusual smells can be the sign of serious, and potentially costly, trouble for your vehicle," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "By acting quickly and making necessary repairs, you'll be able to breathe easy knowing there is no harmful damage to your car. … When you smell any peculiar odor, you should not ignore it. Instead, bring your vehicle to a professional service technician that you trust to get an informed opinion on the nature of the odor." 

The Car Care Council recommends drivers remain on the lookout for several odorous signs. For example, smelling burnt rubber could indicate that hoses or belts in an engine have become misplaced and are not functioning properly. Similarly, burning carpet could alert you to issues with brakes, which is a major safety hazard that needs to be addressed in a timely manner. 

Another potentially harmful odor drivers should be aware of is rotten eggs. While this smell may be difficult to diagnose, those who do get a whiff of it should be prepared to take their vehicle directly to a professional. The odor could be a sign of problems with the engine or the catalytic converter – both series issues that may interrupt your driving. 

When your nose tells you something may be off with your vehicle, consider taking the car in to the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction. The garage caters to the public and can address many issues you may have. 

Having a car that starts up smoothly and runs without any obvious problems may be enough to convince drivers that they are taking care of their ride. However, motorists need to invest in preventative maintenance to ensure they are doing everything they can to be safe on the roads. 

"Learning how to handle common maintenance issues is beneficial to anyone who gets behind the wheel," said John Nielsen, managing director of a division of AAA. "Proper maintenance can extend the life of your vehicle and help prevent costly repairs." 

Not only can maintenance improve the functioning of a vehicle, but it also helps drivers stay safe – and keep others on the road out of harm's way as well. For example, having working wipers can improve visibility so motorists can accurately see what is in front of them, while frequently examining tire tread allows car owners to know when they need to upgrade their wheels to maintain proper grip on slick roads. 

AAA recommends drivers also find a repair shop or maintenance workers they can trust. This strong relationship evolves over time, but it is helpful for everyone involved. Motorists can feel secure in their decision to get maintenance done, and a professional develops a working knowledge of a vehicle that can pay dividends in the long run. The worker may be able to zero in on issues or spend less time examining an automobile, allowing drivers to get back on the road faster. 

When you need a car tune up or maintenance check, bring your vehicle to the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction. The garage caters to the public and is able to handle whatever issues you may have, and should your automobile need any extreme repairs, you can instead browse through the hundreds of CARFAX-certified used cars for sale on the lot. 

From Oct. 18 to 26, teens around the country will be taking part in National Teen Driver Safety Week. The goal of the week-long campaign is to raise awareness of the dangers that young drivers face on the road, alerting both teens and their parents to the steps they can take to ensure a safer experience. 

One of the biggest supporters of National Teen Driver Safety Week is State Farm. The insurance company aims to bring together teens, parents and other involved parties in an effort to have everyone working together to encourage safer practices on the roads. By getting everyone on the same page and fostering an open environment, State Farm hopes to keep all young motorists secure. 

More than 3,000 high schools are participating in the week-long campaign, but that is just the beginning for many drivers. 

"Research has shown it will take the involvement of entire communities to keep teens safer on the road; there's not a one-step solution to reducing teen vehicle crashes," said Chris Mullen, director of technology research at State Farm. "Everyone needs to play a role – parents need to monitor their teens' driving practices more closely, teens must obey driving laws and be considerate passengers, and all states must enact and enforce strong graduated licensing laws for new drivers." 

When your teen is ready to get behind the wheel, you're going to want to make sure you provide them with a used car that is high-performing and offers top-notch safety features. To search through hundreds of viable options, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot is home to many CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans that can be a great choice for young motorists. 

October is Battery Safety Month, so now is a great time to take a look at what's going on under the hood of your car. Ignoring a vehicle's battery can lead to problems down the road, and handling the battery without proper knowledge can result in personal injuries or expensive auto repair. It's important for drivers to get regular checks of their car battery and learn to use it safely, and motorists can take advantage of Battery Safety Month for just that. 

According to Prevent Blindness America, dealing with auto batteries results in approximately 6,000 eye injuries each year. Various other burns or harm can come about as well, which makes learning how to handle batteries extremely important. 

"Auto Battery Safety Month is a great time to raise awareness on how to avoid risks when changing a car battery, as well as on how to properly and safely jump start your car," said Brian Hafer, vice president of marketing for AutoMD.com. "… Whether dead or not, batteries can release an explosive hydrogen gas, and all it takes is a small spark to ignite the gas." 

Drivers who end up having to adjust car batteries should take steps to ensure safety. Check over the owner's manual for advice, and don't attempt to fiddle with the gear unless you know what you're doing. You should also wear eye protection and keep any sparks or open flames away from the hood. 

If you've had problems with your car battery in the past or simply want to get it checked as part of a regular tune up, consider bringing your car in to the Total Car Care Center at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The garage caters to the public and can take care of any issues you may have. 

Finding the right used car to invest in goes far beyond test driving models and inspecting the outside. Drivers also need to look into the history of their prospective rides. It doesn't matter if a vehicle is a relatively recent model or has seen years and years of use – it could have some type of repair or issue in its past that you should know about. 

Reputable used car dealers will be more than happy to help you with this research, so pay attention to these areas of research: 

Check the title history
Getting the vehicle identification number of a model and using it to find out the title history of a car is extremely important. Not only can it alert you as to past owners or uses, but it can also clue you in to past insurance issues, accidents and other events. A CARFAX report will give you part of this history, but a comprehensive write-up from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System may be your best bet. 

Get a service history
A vehicle may look like it's in good condition, but you won't really know about its past unless you take a look at the service history. This report will provide insight into the vehicle maintenance that a car has had, including oil changes, tire rotations, engine checks and other important actions, Money Talks reported. All of these small jobs can extend the life of a vehicle, and the work a model has had done can clue you in to some of the situations it has been involved in. 

When you're sifting through the multitude of used cars for sale, you may want to consider heading to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot is filled with hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, and it is more than capable of providing you with the history and quality you need.