As gas prices continue to fluctuate, many drivers across the country are searching for ways to save at the pump. While some may be investing in hybrid technology or looking for used cars that offer great mileage, not everyone has the extra funds to make a purchase of this size. Luckily, there are a number of little things you can do to maximize your vehicle's fuel economy and save yourself some money. 

An easy task that can go a long way toward improving a car's mileage is to keep an eye on tire pressure. Under-inflated tires can result in significantly lower fuel efficiency, so ensuring they are at the level suggested by the manufacturer can increase fuel economy by up to 3 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This translates into a savings of up to $0.11 per gallon, which adds up to quite a hefty amount in the long run. 

One of the best ways to improve fuel efficiency is to take your car to the shop for preventative maintenance. The basics of this usually consist of getting a tune up, where a professional can check your motor oil, air filter and more. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that regular maintenance can result in a 12 percent to 18 percent savings when compared to reactive maintenance, reducing emissions and improving mileage for your vehicle. 

Whether you think something is wrong or you're ready to get your car a tune up, you can bring it over to the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction. The garage caters to the public and can help you address any issues a car might have, while also providing basic vehicle maintenance that can keep your fuel efficiency up. 

Google and other companies have been testing driverless car technology for a few years now, and the autonomous vehicles are making progress around the world. The BBC recently announced driverless cars will be tested on public roads in the U.K. by the end of the year. 

Researchers from Oxford University will be taking their modified Nissan Leaf, which relies on lasers and small cameras to get around, out on the streets in "semi-autonomous mode." This means a person will be riding along in the driver's seat with the ability to take over control of the vehicle in case of an emergency situation.

The U.K. government is allowing testing to commence in an effort to find ways to reduce congestion. The Department of Transport released a report detailing the current state of U.K. roads and dedicated £28 billion to improving road conditions, and a portion of these funds will go toward developing autonomous technology.

"They maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front at a set speed and without deviating from their lane – all without the driver's input," the report stated concerning driverless vehicles.

It remains unclear when autonomous cars will become commercially available, so until then drivers will need to do the work themselves to get their vehicles from point A to point B. They'll also need a reliable set of wheels to operate safely, and those in the market for used cars, trucks or SUVs can check out New Jersey State Auto Auction.

The dealership carries a wide selection of used makes and models, giving drivers the ability to test drive a variety so they can find the perfect vehicle to suit their needs. NJ Auto Auction also provides financing to help drivers get approved regardless of their credit history.

For car shoppers on a budget, used cars offer the opportunity to find a reliable ride for less than buying the same model new. While there are plenty of inexpensive new models on the market, searching for a used ride gives you the opportunity to get a model that might have been out of your price range when it first came out, creating a world of opportunities to get the car of your dreams without breaking the bank. The Associated Press reports that now may be the time to make a move if you've been delaying purchasing your next ride, as the used car market is ideal for buyers.

Things have only been improving since 2011 when the economic recession began to ebb. Back then, used car prices were comparable and sometimes higher than new, but now the tables are turning. More people are selling or trading in their current cars for newer models, which means the number of used cars for sale is on the rise. At the same time, demand has slowed, since some drivers are turning back to the new market. This equates to falling prices for used models, and Kelley Blue Book's Alec Guttierez told the AP the average cost of a used car has dropped 4 percent between April and June.

Drivers in the New York/New Jersey area can find the used car, truck or SUV that they want at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a wide selection of makes and models at affordable prices and every vehicle on the lot is backed by Carfax. Drivers can also secure their financing on the spot, as NJ Auto Auction partners with a number of lenders to help get you approved quickly regardless of your credit score.

The ability to display pertinent information such as directions and mileage on the windshield of a car is slowly beginning to appear in higher-end vehicles, but now the high-tech accessory is available for everyone. Garmin, a popular navigation system company, recently unveiled its stand-alone heads-up display (HUD), which can be used in any vehicle.

The device, which will cost only $129.99 when it is released later this summer, projects directions as well as your current speed and the speed limit for the road onto the windshield. It also adjusts to the brightness so you can use it day or night. You will need to place a special film on the glass for the images to appear, but this is a small price to pay for having the ability to use navigation assistance without needing to take your eyes off the road.

"HUD redefines the navigation experience by allowing drivers to find their way without taking their eyes off the road," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales. "Head-up displays currently have their place in select high-end cars, but HUD makes this technology available as an aftermarket accessory for any vehicle, at an affordable price."

The best part about this new feature is that it can be used in any car. Drivers in the market for used vehicles don't need to peruse 1-year-old models or shell out big bucks for a luxury model to find the cool, futuristic features they want, like heads-up displays. The Garmin HUD works with Bluetooth, so you can easily pair it with your smartphone. You will need to have either the Garmin StreetPilot or NAVIGON app to use the device, but this will give you access to regional maps, speed limit warnings, traffic updates and other helpful features.

Car shoppers can find a great used ride at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealership has a wide selection of makes and models, many of which include fun and useful features like infotainment systems and backup cameras. 

Whether drivers take their cars in for tune-ups more often than they need to or they've come up with a cute nickname for their wheels, there's no doubt motorists develop an emotional connection with their vehicles. AutoTrader.com confirmed this sentiment in its recent Automotive Relationship Survey, which set out to determine why people are holding onto their cars longer than ever before.

In 2012, the most recent year for which data is available, the average age of a car on the road was just shy of 11 years, according to Polk data. Many believed the reason for the record high age was that consumers were waiting longer to replace their vehicles due to the recession, but the study shows there are other, more personal factors at play as well.

The survey revealed that 70 percent of respondents felt very or somewhat attached to their current cars, trucks or SUVs. More than 25 percent said they felt sad when they contemplated getting rid of their vehicles. Women tended to forge connections with their cars' appearances more often than men (48 percent of ladies compared to 29 percent of men), while more guys (57 percent) bonded with their wheels over adventures that took place behind the wheel than women (20 percent).

"The emotional attachment people feel for their cars is interesting, but not completely surprising," said Dr. Michelle Callahan, life coach and relationship expert. "In addition to the large financial investment, a car can become a significant emotional investment – it's there with them for major milestones in their lives like weddings, new babies and graduations, and it's literally the vehicle that makes being physically present in these moments possible."

When it does finally come time to say farewell to your beloved ride, you can find a new four-wheeled companion at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealership has a wide selection of makes and models, which will make it easy to discover a new best friend.

In an attempt to meet consumer demand for fuel efficient vehicles and comply with the 2016 CAFE, or corporate average fuel economy, standards, automakers are ramping up efforts to improve fuel economy across their fleets. The result is a steady gain in miles per gallon across the industry.

TrueCar.com tracks fuel economy by collecting data from brands, manufacturers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The June numbers show a 0.7 mpg improvement last month compared to June 2012. The industry average hovers around 23.7 mpg for cars and trucks, which held steady from May. U.S. manufacturers saw the biggest month-over-month gains, as the TrueMPG went from 22.0 mpg to 23.1 mpg in June.

"Despite the relative drop in gas prices, consumers' preference for fuel efficient vehicles only grew stronger in June," said Jesse Toprak, TrueCar's senior analyst. "Even though we observed unseasonably strong increase in truck sales in recent months, the higher efficient of the new models resulted in another month of improvement in overall TrueMPG for the industry."

While the report focuses on new cars, drivers in the market to purchase used cars, trucks or SUVs can still find models with great fuel economy, including hybrids like the Toyota Prius. The TrueMPG provides an average, which includes vehicles with high mileage and those with lower mileage. This means drivers will have plenty of vehicles to choose from that are a few years old but still get more miles per gallon than some new cars on the market. To find a great ride, car shoppers can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which has a wide selection of makes and models to choose from.

The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) tracks the number of car thefts happening across the U.S., and new data shows that the Ford F-250 has passed the Cadillac Escalade as the vehicle most often targeted by thieves. The SUVs falling popularity with thieves may be partially due to the improving security systems installed in Cadillacs, but another aspect is the sheer number of Ford trucks on the road. 

"General Motors has put a lot of effort into new anti-theft technology, so that may help explain the decline in the Escalade's theft rate," said HLDI vice president Matt Moore. "On the other hand, sales of the Escalade have fallen in recent years, so there may be less of a market for stolen Escalades or Escalade parts." 

Although the number of stolen Escalades has fallen, similar large SUVs and pickup trucks are targeted by thieves at a greater frequency than other vehicles. For example, the Ford F-250 crew cab was found to be at the center of seven out of 1,000 insurance claims dealing with stolen vehicles, which is more than six times the average for all automobiles. 

While theft rates are declining on the whole, drivers still need to be aware of the dangers faced when they leave their cars. Even the theft of items from a truck bed or trunk can result in complicated insurance claims or damage. Opting to take just a few steps to protect yourself and your vehicle could pay off in the long run. 

Whether you've been the victim of a theft or want to make sure your next ride boasts a top-of-the-line security system, you can find what you're looking for at NJ State Auto Auction. The lot is home to a number of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, which offer plenty of options as you try to find the perfect vehicle for you. 

Buying a car is an extensive process that involves lots of research and hard work to ensure you find the right ride for your needs. You spend countless hours in front of your computer looking up reviews, costs and other details about the used car you want, but when you get to the dealership you might not remember everything. That's why it's helpful to have an app or two on your smartphone. It's also going to be easier to grab your phone than consult a list of handwritten notes when you want to find out something like the average retail price of a certain model.

KBB.com
This free app by Kelley Blue Book can help you find out just how much your current car is worth when you trade it in, so you will have the knowledge you need to negotiate the best value for your trade-in. It will also help to know what a dealership may have paid for the model you want to buy, giving you a bit of leverage when it comes time to talk sale price.

Cars.com
With this helpful, and free, app from Cars.com you can browse cars for sale at dealers in your area. When you see one you like, you can get directions right from the app. You'll have access to user reviews so you know what to expect before you test drive and what types of issues you may encounter with a certain model.

Vinny
Relatively new to the app market, Vinny allows you to scan a car's VIN number to find out the wholesale price of the particular car you're considering. This lets you know exactly what the profit margin for the dealer is, giving you the upper hand when it comes to price negotiations. Reuters reports used cars are marked up about 14 percent on average, compared to a 2 percent profit margin for new models.

These apps can help you get the right vehicle for the right price, and you can start your search at New Jersey State Auto Auction, which has a wide selection of makes and models at affordable prices.