Category Archives: How To

Which is better diesel or gasoline?

If you’re considering buying a new vehicle, you have plenty of options. Factoring in the number of manufacturers, models, trim levels, and option packages, it can seem like there’s almost too many choices to make. Now, most people have an idea what they want. Perhaps a pickup truck, SUV, or a sedan. 

Choosing a powertrain can be one of the most challenging decisions buyers make. Today, vehicles often have multiple powertrain options for each model. Do you choose a traditional gas engine, a turbocharged version, or perhaps you have a diesel engine available. Of all the engines, the diesel powertrain might be the least understood.

So, we’ve created this comparison between gas and diesel engines to help you understand the differences. We’ll show you the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision. Read the rest of this entry >>

Tips for Buying a Used SUV or Crossover in New Jersey

Purchasing a used crossover or SUV allows you to save money and avoid a new vehicle’s often high initial depreciation rate. However, there are several factors to consider when looking for a used SUV to ensure you get the best possible deal. Of course, you will prefer a car that can offer you value for money and take you to all the places you wish to go without frequently breaking down. In this post, the New Jersey State Auto Used Cars explains some of the essential tips for buying a used SUV or crossover vehicle.

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How To Register a Car in New Jersey

Making a visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles is rarely a good time. But you can make it much easier by preparing yourself with the right documents, fees, and knowledge you’ll need to get your goals accomplished the first time you visit.

If you’re in New Jersey and you’re trying to get your new or new-to-you vehicle registered, you’ll need to follow a couple of guidelines. Let our team at New Jersey State Auto Used Cars walk you through the step-by-step process of registering a car in New Jersey. Continue reading and if you still have questions, call us at (201) 200-1100.

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How To Change A New York License to New Jersey

If you’ve recently moved from New York to New Jersey or you’re about to, one of the things you need to take care of is your identification. New Jersey state law requires that you transfer your out-of-state license and any vehicle registrations within 60 days of your move. If your current license is set to expire before then, you must transfer it before the expiration date.

Transferring your New York state license to New Jersey is a pretty easy process, but it does take some time. Therefore, you’ll want to get started on this process as soon as you can so that you don’t run the risk of missing the deadline and facing penalties. Below are the steps you can follow to change your New York license to a New Jersey license. If you have any questions, give us a call at (201) 200-1100.

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Get the Most for Your Used Car Trade in Greater NYC Area

Greater NYC area Auto Repair

It’s totally normal to want something new after so many years of the same thing—and trading in your used car can be a hassle free way to take care of that! Luckily, you can count on our used car dealership serving the greater NYC area. Before you visit us, though, here’s some advice everyone should follow before they take this step to get the most out of their ride.

Iron Out the Kinks:

Cars are like people: they get quirkier as they age. At this point, there are probably some traits about your vehicle that you don’t even notice anymore, but may be a detractor for someone assessing the car’s value. Things like a ripped headliner, a window that doesn’t go down, or a particularly creaky door may be worth paying to fix, as you may wind up getting that money back when find out the trade-in value in the greater NYC area.

Then, there are tires. Tires can be costly to replace, so it may not seem worth it to do so right before you get rid of the car, but in some cases it’s not a bad idea. Extremely worn tires will certainly pull from the value of your car, so it’s probably best to replace them.

Car wash in greater NYC area

Do a Deep Clean:

When’s the last time you gave your car a thorough cleaning? If you’re not sure when, it’s been too long! Vacuum the interior, wash and wax the exterior, clean the wheels until they’re gleaming, and even apply tire shine. Or save yourself some time and bring it to our auto repair center, as we offer car spa services at a variety of price points.

Dings, Dents, and Beyond:

Minor cosmetic issues and curb rash (the marks left on your car when you accidentally scrape your wheel against the curb) are inexpensive to repair, and will considerably boost the aesthetic of your vehicle. However, don’t go too crazy: dents that require buffing or painting may not be worth the cost to fix. These are little things that are easy to do but, if left unattended, may knock down your vehicle’s value.

When you visit New Jersey State Auto Auction to look at your next new-to-you car, be sure to bring your current vehicle to trade. There’s nothing more satisfying than getting credit towards your next truck, car, van or SUV you fall in love with on our lot!

Used cars for sale in the Greater NYC Area

Keep Calm and Keep Driving in Jersey City in Your Used Car

Road Rage in Jersey City

New Jersey: home to pork roll, Seaside Heights, and traffic that would drive anyone crazy. Fortunately, the staff at our Jersey City used car dealer are seasoned traffic jam pros, so we have some tips to make sure you keep your wits about you. Stretch your patience a little further with our advice!

Get Some Perspective

Like dealing with any stressful situation, your mindset is everything. Get yourself back into the right headspace by creating an environment that’s conducive to relaxation. Put on your favorite tunes and surround yourself with what you love! Preferably, it’s ideal to play something more on the relaxing side, but if it makes you feel better when you’re singing along to some serious anthems, do that.

Another thing you can do is acknowledge you have no control over the situation. We all wish we had a flying car (and grew up expecting one to be around by now thanks to Back to the Future), but we don’t. So unclench your fists, take deep breaths, turn off the navigation system, and surrender. You’re in your own personal space, separated from the outside world, and the concerns of that world aren’t your own right now.
Directions to New Jersey State Auto Auction

Use the Tech That Keeps You in Touch

You could also take this opportunity to be a good friend or family member. Using the hands free phone feature on your used car, call your favorites in Jersey City. You can catch up for the duration of your ride without losing focus, and it’ll amaze you how quickly the time passes and you’ll arrive to your destination with a smile on your face and substantially less stressed out than you could have been.

If you’re looking for a car, truck, van, or SUV that will keep you comfortable when you’re stuck in traffic, contact New Jersey State Auto Auction! We have a huge selection of vehicles that can take you from point A to point B with style, class, and comfort.

Used cars for sale in Jersey City

Here are a few tips for finding the best car for city driving, and how to master your route to avoid frustration.

Tips for driving in the city

Living in the country offers more relaxation than most communities – between the secluded houses, long dirt roads and lack of skyscrapers, you're sure to drive around in little to no traffic. Likewise, a suburban setting is mostly residential, so the most congestion you'll find will stem from the kids playing an intense game of street hockey. However, driving in the city can be an absolute disaster if you don't come up with a good strategy. Because let's face it – who really wants to sit in traffic for an hour when your office is only three miles away?

Don't worry – here are a few tips for finding the best car for city driving and mastering your route to avoid frustration:

Buy the right vehicle
Before you head to the big city, you need to consider your current ride. When you live in a suburban or rural setting, driving around a large SUV or pickup truck is fine – not exactly the case in the city. Before you tackle the congested one-way streets, AutoTrader strongly suggested picking a car that fits your needs, not necessarily your wants. Think about it this way: In the city, space is limited. So when it comes time to parallel park that fancy large vehicle you bought with the intention of showing it off, just forget it. If you don't really need that oversized ride, get rid of it. Consider a small compact car or sedan as your replacement for getting from point A to point B.

"Avoid leasing a car in the city."

Another quick tip: Avoid leasing a car. You don't want to risk your vehicle getting damaged due to all of the commotion going on in the city. If you lease a car and notice scratches and scrapes before you return it, you could be subject to a paying for the repairs. Instead, just buy one of the quality used cars from our lot! If your car gets damaged in any way, just bring it back for our maintenance guys to take care of it.

How to drive
Once you've invested in a quality compact car, you're ready to venture out into the frenzy of the city streets. You can't expect the drive to be as easy as it is in the suburbs, so keep these tips in mind for driving safely through traffic:

1. Be conscious about mileage
City streets are a mess of stop-and-go traffic – and that can really affect your car if you're not driving properly. According to Edmunds, your gas mileage takes a beating too, so make sure you're not speeding up just to slow right back down. Accelerate lightly and coast whenever possible. And if you find yourself in a dead stop, switch gears into neutral. This will do your gas tank some serious good. Lastly, don't forget to keep your tank at least half full. After all, how many gas stations have you seen in the city? They're hard to come by, so you won't have many options – if any – for filling back up if you're on E. 

2. Stop switching lanes
Sure, there's a cars-length of room to squeeze into the next lane. But are you really going to get there any faster if you decide to move over? Keep the lane changing to a minimum while traveling in heavy traffic – this can reduce your chance of experiencing a fender bender at the worst time possible. Who really wants to be the reason traffic is backed up even worse?

Choose a lane and stay in it.Choose a lane and stay in it.

3. Avoid rush hour
This might be impossible for some, but if you can manage, try to stay off the city roads during rush hour. Generally, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., are the time frames when the city streets get most congested because everyone is trying to get to work or head back home – and they're all doing it at the same time. If you can avoid rush hour traffic, you'll save yourself the frustration that often results in road rage, which could ultimately lead to a collision occurring.

4. Always think big picture
Driving through the city offers an opportunity to view plenty of beautiful sights because there's so much going on. But, unfortunately, that's also a hazard that could lead you slamming into someone's rear end. When navigating through city streets, just remember to use all of your mirrors, side windows and entire windshield to view the big picture while you travel. Neglecting to keep an eye on every direction could lead to a collision, so just be careful.

5. Give yourself ample time
Navigating through a big city can be overwhelming and intimidating, especially if you're a first timer. That's why Big City Driver recommends giving yourself ample time to travel from your home to your office in the city every morning, This can ensure that you'll drive safely which will lessen your chance of speeding to get to work on time. Who knows – maybe you'll even avoid the city traffic completely!

Need a new ride to fit your city-living lifestyle? Come on over to NJ Auto Auction, where we have a lot full of Carfax-certified vehicles to choose from.

Remove these misconceptions from your mind before heading to the dealership.

5 common myths about car buying

Buying a car is a lot like making any other decision – at the end of the day, you're the one who has the last word in choosing your fate. But there are a number of myths that stand in the way of reaching that final decision to buy, and even the craziest misconceptions can sway some choices. But don't worry – we've highlighted a few common car shopping superstitions to remove from your mind before you head to the dealership:

1. You can get a great deal on a rainy day
According to Edmunds, this is a common myth that many people believe. The idea is that nobody else will be out shopping for cars on a rainy day, so you'll be the only one to score the best deals. Unfortunately, this isn't true. On one hand, you could have a lot full of people who believed the same fable that you did. Or, you'll be jumping from car to car in the pouring rain, only to find yourself walking away in drenched clothing and lost hopes for a "incredible deal."

2. All car dealers are going to rip you off
It's your car dealer's job to make a return on investment for the dealership. That means he's probably going to offer you the vehicle for way more than it's worth. But that doesn't necessarily mean he's ripping you off – he's just doing his job. Instead of letting him get away with it during your car buying experience, you need to make sure you do your research. Autobytel stated there's really no excuse for getting overcharged nowadays. That's because you can search the internet and find the manufacturer's suggested retail price, similar prices being paid in your area, the worth of your trade-in and your interest rate qualification. Learn everything you need to know before heading to the dealer so you can counter his offer with a better one.

Make sure you do your research before heading to the dealership.Make sure you do your research before heading to the dealership.

3. When you pay in cash, you get the better deal
There's no difference between handing over cash or paying with a loan. And while the dealership might think they're making it easier on themselves to just accept the stack of money, they'd make a better sale if they took the loan. For example, if you qualify for a loan at 5 percent and you get 7 percent from financing through the dealer, they're going to make that extra 2 percent. That's because financial institutions often give dealerships a good portion of the loan when you finance your car with them. Buying your car in cash might make you feel like a hot shot, but at the end of the day, that's the only benefit that comes out of it. 

"You need to go check out the car for yourself."

4. Car reviews give you all the information you need
Sure, getting a second opinion before you purchase a new vehicle is always nice, especially if it's a good one. However, the whole idea of a second opinion is that it comes after yours, so you need to go check out the car for yourself before anything. It might be convenient to sit on your couch and browse the internet for a review on that car you want, but that shouldn't be where the decision is finalized. Make sure you get to that dealership and test drive the car for yourself before coming to a conclusion. After all, it's you who's going to be driving it around for the next 5 years or more, not that virtual friend of yours.

5. If you don't buy now, you'll never get the incredible offer
Sometimes, walking away from the dealer after looking into their best deal is difficult – especially if they tell you the bargain ends tomorrow. However, Cartelligent stated that unless you've found the car of your dreams that plans to go off the market tomorrow, you'll probably find a similar or better deal in a week or two. Don't settle for the low price if it's not the ride you want. Who knows, maybe your ideal car will end up showing up on that bargain lot soon!

Now that we've debunked those crazy car shopping myths, you're ready to get to the dealership! Come down to NJ Auto Auction, where we have a lot full of Carfax-certified vehicles we'd love you to take for a test drive.

Don't let your car fall apart this summer.

How to prepare your car for extreme temperatures

While you might like the hot weather that comes with summer, your car isn't exactly a fan of those extreme temperatures. Excessive warmth can cause damage to your tires, battery and engine, and even keep your air conditioning system from running properly, according to Autotrader. However, with the routine maintenance and care, your ride will do just fine in the blazing heat.

Here are four tips for keeping your vehicle safe during the dog days of summer:

1. Get your fluids checked
During the summer months, monitoring your engine coolant is key. This fluid keeps your ride from overheating and ultimately breaking down. Most cars have a closed system for coolant, so checking and filling it is a simple task you can complete on your own. The same goes for your windshield washer fluid – it's easy to add and it's a must when you're driving in the summer, especially with the amount of bugs you'll likely squash during your road trip.

"Always monitor your fluids."

An oil change is always important, but it's especially crucial during the warmer months – when you don't change it, the engine becomes too hot, which isn't ideal in excessive heat. Eventually, if you keep skipping this maintenance task, your engine will shut down completely. Don't let this happen while you're on the road this summer, you'll end up drenched in sweat on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.

2. Monitor your battery
Did you know that the warm weather has an impact on your battery, too? According to the Allstate Blog, the liquid inside your battery evaporates as temperatures rise, causing it to die. If your battery is old, it might not even hold a charge or jump-start after this happens. It's common to forget about maintaining your battery, but you should make it a priority to replace it every three years or so. If you don't know how old your current one is, it's worth taking it to the shop to find out.

3. Change your tires
Extreme temperatures put added stress on your tires, according to Car and Driver. The heat will also cause your air pressure to rise. Be cautious and get your tire condition and air pressure checked monthly during the summer. Always be sure to rotate your tires and get them changed every 5,000 miles.

A new set of tires will help you ride smoothly all summer.A new set of tires will help you ride smoothly all summer.

4. Maintain your air conditioning
There's nothing better than rolling down the windows and blasting your music on a summer's day, but only if the weather permits. If the temperatures are too high, you'll rely on your air conditioning to keep you and your friends cool. Therefore, it's important to have your system checked annually, especially if it seems like it's not working as efficiently as it should. Autotrader suggested checking your owner's manual to see when it's time to change your filter. Then, take it to the shop for some maintenance.

Saving your car is worth the cost
The maintenance services you should perform on your vehicle this summer might seem expensive, but they'll be worth it in the long run.

"It takes very little time and money to make sure your car runs properly during summer, and although breakdowns happen, they can definitely be minimized by taking a few extra preventive maintenance steps," executive director of Car Care Council Rich White told Car and Driver.

The season of summer might be coming to a close soon, but that doesn't mean the hot temperatures aren't going to stick around. To be cautious, consider taking your ride in for its routine maintenance at NJ Auto Auction. We have a service shop with technicians who will make certain your car is running smoothly.

Don't let your car fall apart this summer.

How to prepare your car for extreme temperatures

While you might like the hot weather that comes with summer, your car isn't exactly a fan of those extreme temperatures. Excessive warmth can cause damage to your tires, battery and engine, and even keep your air conditioning system from running properly, according to Autotrader. However, with the routine maintenance and care, your ride will do just fine in the blazing heat.

Here are four tips for keeping your vehicle safe during the dog days of summer:

1. Get your fluids checked
During the summer months, monitoring your engine coolant is key. This fluid keeps your ride from overheating and ultimately breaking down. Most cars have a closed system for coolant, so checking and filling it is a simple task you can complete on your own. The same goes for your windshield washer fluid – it's easy to add and it's a must when you're driving in the summer, especially with the amount of bugs you'll likely squash during your road trip.

"Always monitor your fluids."

An oil change is always important, but it's especially crucial during the warmer months – when you don't change it, the engine becomes too hot, which isn't ideal in excessive heat. Eventually, if you keep skipping this maintenance task, your engine will shut down completely. Don't let this happen while you're on the road this summer, you'll end up drenched in sweat on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.

2. Monitor your battery
Did you know that the warm weather has an impact on your battery, too? According to the Allstate Blog, the liquid inside your battery evaporates as temperatures rise, causing it to die. If your battery is old, it might not even hold a charge or jump-start after this happens. It's common to forget about maintaining your battery, but you should make it a priority to replace it every three years or so. If you don't know how old your current one is, it's worth taking it to the shop to find out.

3. Change your tires
Extreme temperatures put added stress on your tires, according to Car and Driver. The heat will also cause your air pressure to rise. Be cautious and get your tire condition and air pressure checked monthly during the summer. Always be sure to rotate your tires and get them changed every 5,000 miles.

A new set of tires will help you ride smoothly all summer.A new set of tires will help you ride smoothly all summer.

4. Maintain your air conditioning
There's nothing better than rolling down the windows and blasting your music on a summer's day, but only if the weather permits. If the temperatures are too high, you'll rely on your air conditioning to keep you and your friends cool. Therefore, it's important to have your system checked annually, especially if it seems like it's not working as efficiently as it should. Autotrader suggested checking your owner's manual to see when it's time to change your filter. Then, take it to the shop for some maintenance.

Saving your car is worth the cost
The maintenance services you should perform on your vehicle this summer might seem expensive, but they'll be worth it in the long run.

"It takes very little time and money to make sure your car runs properly during summer, and although breakdowns happen, they can definitely be minimized by taking a few extra preventive maintenance steps," executive director of Car Care Council Rich White told Car and Driver.

The season of summer might be coming to a close soon, but that doesn't mean the hot temperatures aren't going to stick around. To be cautious, consider taking your ride in for its routine maintenance at NJ Auto Auction. We have a service shop with technicians who will make certain your car is running smoothly.