Last year, April and October were designated as Car Care Months, and now that some statistics are in, it paints an ugly picture of how well Americans take care of their rides. The Car Care Council found that 84 percent of vehicles were in need of service or parts, the highest number in five years.

The figure was drawn from an analysis of vehicle inspection forms submitted by a number of volunteers. The most common issue that drivers encountered were problems with oil and fluids, air filters, battery cables, lights and hoses. Additionally about 10 percent of vehicles had their check engine light on, and another 19 percent of cars needed a new air filter.

The larger number of cars that need work could be indicative of changing driver behavior. Motorists may be putting off maintenance as a means to save money in the recovering economy, but experts say that's a bad move.

"What they don't realize is that neglecting routine maintenance can end up costing a lot more in the long run," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "These results demonstrate the importance of consumer education as the lack of proper vehicle maintenance can greatly impact highway safety, air quality, cost operation, and vehicle performance and dependability."

Regular maintenance is also a crucial component of making sure your car is as fuel-efficient as possible, and with rising gas prices that has become especially important. New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center makes staying on top of maintenance easy. With a convenient location in Jersey City, drivers can stop by and get everything from regular upkeep and more significant repairs.

As the economy continues to improve, forecasters have had to re-evaluate their predictions for car sales several times, and according to Kelley Blue Book, they might have to do it again. The new and used car information provider expects that car sales in March will reach their highest levels since 2007.

Analysts expect there will be around 1.425 million units sold in March,  bringing the year-long prediction to about 14.6 million. That sales estimate is the highest for any March over the last five years, since the levels reached about 1.5 million in 2007. There are a number of reasons for the impressive sales, but analysts believe it's largely due to the fact that there's an increased demand for fuel-efficient vehicles along with the release of a redesigned Toyota Camry.

"Conditions in the economy have generally been positive through the first few months of the year, and if conditions remain steady, the industry can expect to see continued strength in sales for the months ahead," said Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst of automotive insights for Kelley Blue Book. "Rising fuel prices could slow down the current momentum in sales growth if left unchecked, so this will be a key factor to monitor moving forward."

The number of people buying or considering purchasing a fuel-efficient car has also been on the rise. A recent study from kbb.com found that 51 percent of respondents said they want a smaller car with higher gas mileage. Furthermore about 20 percent of people are weighing the option of buying a hybrid, alternative fuel or diesel-powered vehicle.

With more people buying new cars, there may also be more used options for people looking for an affordable ride, and New Jersey State Auto Auction has a wide variety of used vehicles to choose from.

Rising gas prices may be causing some people to worry, but it could actually be good news for anybody looking to buy a used truck. As fuel-efficient cars become more in demand, the prices of pre-owned pickup trucks are likely to drop significantly, according to Automotive News.

Some estimates put the figure at about a 22 percent decline in price and it is directly tied to the instability in gas prices. Experts say that as tensions in the Middle East continue to grow, there could be a chance of gas prices reaching the $5 per gallon mark. According to the National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA), $4.50 a gallon would result in about a 9 percent drop in used pickup prices.

"We are always making vehicle price adjustments based, in part, on our expectations for the price of gasoline," NADA analyst Larry Dixon told the news source.

While that may be bad news for dealers, it is certainly cause for celebration among consumers, especially those who have been driving pickup trucks for years. But what are the best used pickup trucks to get? According to Vehix.com, there are many good options to choose from.

Among the best is the 2006 Ford F-150. There's a reason this truck is always one of the best selling cars in the country. According to the website, the 2006 model was especially reliable, not to mention it can tow up to 9,000 pounds.

Whether you're looking for a used Ford F-150 or a Chevy Silverado, New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of pickup trucks to choose from. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there is something for everyone.

The Nissan Leaf was expected to popularize electric vehicles, but relatively modest sales in 2011 left some people questioning just how successful the car could be. However, the automaker is poised to unveil a new and improved version of the Leaf later this year with the hope of doubling sales in 2012, The Detroit News reports.

Many of the changes to the Leaf will be in its appearance. Although it outsold General Motors' electric option, the Chevrolet Volt, in 2011, the Volt gained significant ground in February. The reason, some think, is that the Volt offers a sleeker, leather interior while the Leaf's look reflects its eco-friendly message. The manufacturer sensed the displeasure from customers, and has made the appropriate changes.

"We were like, 'Ah, let's do the clean, green recycled materials,'" Mark Perry, the director of product and advanced planning for Nissan Americas, told the newspaper. "People want a dark interior, so we're to give them a dark interior, too."

Just how popular the Leaf ends up being remains to be seen. Only recently did it become available to drivers in all 50 states, but its first months have not been without a few snags. For instance, some drivers report that the Leaf's range is limited in cold weather regardless of whether the heat is turned on. Still, Nissan believes that electric is the way of the future, and is expected to release an electric version of its luxury brand Infiniti later this year.

Although it will still be quite some time until electric vehicles rule the highway, you can still purchase an eco-friendly and fuel-efficient used car at New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models you'll be sure to find the right car for you.

Higher gas prices have driven many consumers to seek out the most fuel-efficient car they can find. But a lot of the time there is too much guesswork going into the process, as motorists don't know which cars are actually the best when it comes to gas mileage. Total Car Score recently released a list of what it believes are the most fuel-efficient cars on the road today.

"In this market, car buyers are more concerned than ever about fuel economy, but they also want a vehicle that is reliable and offers strong resale value," said Karl Brauer, editor in chief of Total Car Score.

Most economy cars do pretty well when it comes to saving you money at the pump, but of course some are better than others. In particular, the Ford Fiesta stood out from the crowd by getting an impressive 33 miles per gallon. The Chevrolet Sonic was also a top pick from Total Car Score, coming in at around the same level.

Sometimes downsizing is not an option, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice gas mileage. In terms of midsize sedans, the Toyota Camry Hybrid was tops with about 41 miles a gallon. People looking for a midsize SUV or crossover may want to get behind the wheel of the Kia Sorento or Chevrolet Equinox, both of which get around 25 or 26 miles per gallon.

Along with making a smart purchase, following good maintenance practices is important as well. New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center will help drivers avoid any problems that may put a dent in their mileage.