If you're not a professional mechanic – or even an amateur one with plenty of auto knowledge – then chances are you will end up paying money for some sort of maintenance or repairs. These figures can add up over time. However, there are ways to relieve some of the stress on your wallet so you can spend money on what really matters: yourself. 

No matter your knowledge level, keep in mind three tips for finding lower prices on all of your car's necessary work. Although you'll still have to pay for basic maintenance, preventative actions can do a lot to avoid larger, more crippling repairs in the future or even dangerous car issues that occur on the road. 

1. Follow the owner's manual 
Keeping track of everything from vehicle maintenance schedules to ideal tire pressure in winter is a handful. That's where the owner's manual can save the day. Few people crack these open as much as they should, but the manuals are a treasure trove of information, so it pays to read some key points. Check out the recommendations for gear replacements, regular maintenance and more. Key areas you should be studying up on include what to do about air filters, spark plugs, brakes, the battery and more. 

2. Stick with a trusted mechanic 
You wouldn't change doctors or dentists every time you needed to schedule an appointment, so why would you do that for your car? Just like anything else, your ride should have some consistency in its life, and that includes the professionals taking care of it. Instead of patching together auto work, build a relationship with a garage like the one at NJ State Auto Auction. Our Total Car Care Center caters to the public and is capable of dealing with whatever issues you may encounter from routine tuneups to major repairs. 

3. Get your oil changed 
You'd be surprised by the number of problems that may be caused by a lack of oil changes. The oil is essential to the proper functioning of your engine, and staying on top of your game can reduce the odds of major engine damage or the replacement of certain car parts – both of which can be extremely costly. You'll also have to change oil at regular mileage intervals and when the temperature changes, so determine when these sessions should be and plan for them in advance. 

People in the Mid-Atlantic region are used to seeing deer. Whether these creatures are grazing through a backyard – and maybe even wrecking some gardens in the process – or walking beside a quiet road, there's a good chance they make themselves known to you. This isn't normally a problem, but if you're behind the wheel of a car, things can get dicey. 

Here are three things you should know about deer – and how to avoid collisions with them. 

1. Deer are predictable 
Like most other living things, deer can be creatures of habit. They are most likely to move around at dawn and dusk, when visibility is not ideal. It is also more common to see them out and about in the fall. October, November and December are hunting and mating season, which means deer are frequently on the move and may be more likely to cross roads. 

"Periods of daily high-deer movement around dawn and dusk as well as seasonal behavior patterns, such as during the October-December breeding season, increase the risk for auto-deer collisions," said Ron Regan, the executive director for the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies.

2. Location matters 
Drivers in certain states are more likely to have an encounter with deer than others. State Farm found that motorists in Pennsylvania, for example, have 1 in 71 odds of colliding with these creatures, which is second only to West Virginia. People in New York and New Jersey fared better, with odds of 1 in 154 and 1 in 225, respectively. 

Odds can vary dramatically within a state as well. A few areas are more likely to have deer present than others. Roads close to heavily wooded areas, recent construction or hunting grounds may have animals moving around in search of a new home, so drivers should be aware when maneuvering their vehicles in these regions. 

3. You have responsibilities 
It's up to you to do your part to stay safe on the roads. While many encounters with these animals will be outside of your control, there are some aspects of the incidents you do have power over. For example, make sure you are taking your car to a public garage for tuneups. Places like the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto can address any issues you may have – even those involving brakes, headlights and safety technology, which can be incredibly useful in preventing accidents. 

Most drivers know they have to stay on top of car maintenance all throughout the year, preparing for the worst of the season ahead. What some don't know is that whatever season just ended may have wreaked some havoc on your ride. 

So while you should be getting your car checked regularly anyway, it becomes especially important when you're prepping for big temperature swings. That means it's the perfect time to take your vehicle to a local garage, such as the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction, for a tune up. 

Summer can cause problems with car batteries
Now that summer has ended, it's time to get your car battery checked. Several months of high temperatures and humidity could have caused problems with this essential part. The Car Care Council noted that hot weather may lead to even more issues than cold, which is typically thought of to be the most harmful. 

"When most motorists think of dead batteries that cause starting failure, they think of severe winter weather, but summer heat is the real culprit," said Rich White, the executive director of the Car Care Council. "Many battery problems start long before the temperatures drop. Heat, more than cold, shortens battery life."

It all occurs because heat leads to the evaporation of battery fluid. That then damages the internal aspects of the battery, hampering its function. Another problem to watch out for is overcharging, where a component inside the battery malfunctions and causes a high charging rate that actually kills its viability. 

Make sure your battery is up to snuff
The easiest way to ensure your battery is operating at a high level is to have a professional look it over. However, you still need to pull your own weight and make an effort. First, schedule regular maintenance appointments so you know your car battery is being checked by someone who knows what they're doing. 

Secondly, you should do your best to always keep the battery clean. Dirt and other debris that gets into the gear can ruin even the highest-quality product, draining its power and posing a safety risk. You also need to do some light maintenance of your own in any weather, including adding distilled water when necessary and monitoring the charge to ensure you are ready for anything. 

Almost everyone wants to have a car that catches the eye of passersby for all of the right reasons. What you don't want is a ride that is going to claim the attention of would-be thieves. Unfortunately, auto theft is something that a few owners will have to contend with. Those who are smart about their investments, however, can arm themselves with knowledge – and a sweet alarm system – to prevent the worst from happening. 

Most popular targets
The National Insurance Crime Bureau recently released its annual "Hot Wheels" report, which details the most stolen vehicles in the U.S. According to the data, the Honda Accord was the hottest target in 2013, as it was reported stolen nearly 54,000 times. Coming in right behind the Accord was the Honda Civic at 45,000 reported thefts. 

While Honda might have dominated the top two spots, full-size pickups were also popular choices for thieves. Chevrolet and Ford pickups took the third and fourth slots, respectively, with more than 26,000 thefts each. 

Also landing on the NICB's top 10 list were the Toyota Camry, full-size Dodge pickups, Dodge Caravan, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Altima. All in all, the organization predicted that the total number of car thefts fell more than 3 percent in 2013, likely to the lowest point since 1967. 

What you can do
Is your ride somewhere in the top 10? Never fear, as there are things you can do to avoid theft. For starters, always lock your car and take your keys with you when you leave it out of sight. You'll also want to have a functioning alarm system and power locks, so you'll never have an excuse for not securing your ride. 

Another idea is to install some type of tracking device in your car. That way, if the vehicle does get stolen, you'll be able to track it down and recover it, which may significantly reduce your frustration and expenses in the long run. 

Prospective buyers who want to make sure they are doing everything they can to protect their investment should try to find a used car with a high-quality alarm system. If that's one of the items you're looking for in a purchase, browse the collection at NJ State Auto Auction. There, you'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans that could be right for you. 

For the past five years, drivers in New Jersey have had to combat red-light cameras. These electronic devices monitor intersections and track any moving violations – meaning that drivers caught running red lights could be fined after the fact. However, the program may soon be ending in the Garden State. 

The Governor Has Doubts
According to The Star-Ledger, the five-year pilot program for the cameras is set to expire in December, and there is very little support for a continuance. No bill has been introduced to extend the efforts, and even Gov. Chris Christie has expressed some doubts about signing off on the program. 

"I have concerns about it, and my inclination is not to continue it, but I haven't made any final decisions," Christie told the source at a news conference. 

Additionally, a number of other state representatives have spoken in opposition of the cameras. 

Problems With The Red-Light Program 
One of the reasons lawmakers may be opposed to continuing the red-light program is because of problems the cameras have encountered recently. Earlier in the year, a technical glitch in the system prevented tickets from being sent out for as many as 17,000 infractions across 17 towns, The Star-Ledger reported. As a result, motorists were not informed of potential fines. 

While this was just one extreme example of the problems with the program, it has resulted in quite a bit of backlash, and it could be one of the big arguments against the red-light cameras. 

Drivers Need To Stay Vigilant
Even if New Jersey does end its red-light camera program, drivers in the Garden State will still need to be aware of automated devices on the roads. Nearly half of states throughout the U.S. use red-light cameras, speed cameras or both, according to a separate article in The Star-Ledger – including many of New Jersey's surrounding regions, such as New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. 

While some lawmakers are campaigning to prevent other states from fining New Jersey residents for driving infractions caught on camera, any resolution is still off in the future. Until then, drivers will have to do their best to stay ahead of the law – starting with driving a safe car that is up-to-date with maintenance and safety features.

Motorists looking for a reliable used car should head to NJ State Auto Auction. The lot has hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans on site, ensuring that drivers can find a model that meets all of their needs.