Vehicle safety is one aspect of owning a car that cannot be ignored. There's a lot of work that goes into this, and scheduling tune ups and taking care of repairs are just two of the many tasks that need to be accomplished. 

Know the dangers
According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association, about 12 percent of the cars headed out on the roads this fall have bald tires. That creates a safety risk for drivers and passengers, which isn't something anybody likes to do. 

"Bald tires are dangerous," said Dan Zielinski, RMA senior vice president, public affairs. "A tire is considered bald when tread depth reaches 2/32nds inch. Bald tires have longer stopping distances and do not grip the road properly, particularly in wet weather conditions. Fortunately, there's a simple method to determine whether tire tread depth is safe: all you need is a penny." 

Monitor your tires
You can get a jump start on tire maintenance simply by observing your wheels. As the RMA suggested, the penny test should be done regularly. All you need for this is one of the copper coins. Place it in the groove of the tire upside down, with the head facing you. If some of the tread blocks the former president's head, you're safe for now, but if his entire head is visible, it's time for new tires. 

Additionally, make sure you take periodic readings of your tire pressure. Under- or overinflated wheels negatively impact fuel efficiency and driving performance. Because this can be easily avoided with a little effort and maintenance, there's no excuse to put yourself or your wallet at risk. Don't forget to check the spare tire while you're at it. 

Get your car checked
Paying attention to how your tires are performing is important, but it's only going to take you so far. When you notice baldness or other issues, reach out to NJ State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center for help. The professionals at this garage cater to the public and are capable of addressing any problems you may have. Having new tires put on is just the first step, as you may also need to have wheels aligned or the tires rotated, but the experts at NJ Auto have got you covered.  

This Thanksgiving, you may be one of the more than 41 million Americans who are planning to road trip to visit their loved ones. If that's the case, then you probably have a lot on your mind, especially if you're trying to balance contributing to the holiday feast with driving hundreds of miles in a short time span. Here are a few tips to keep you and your family safe on the roads. 

1. Have a safe car
It all starts with the vehicle. Make sure your car can handle a road trip by taking it in for a tune-up at New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center. The experts at this garage can address any issue you may have, providing you with the peace of mind needed to hit the road during this hectic holiday weekend. 

2. Avoid the busiest travel days
According to Google Maps, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the busiest day for traffic. In a perfect world, you could alter your travel plans to avoid this day, but that's simply not feasible for many families. If possible, try to stay off the roads between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., which Google predicted to be the worst part of the day. During the weekend, Sunday looks to be less crazed than Saturday, and traveling that day could provide some welcome relief.  

3. Take advantage of low gas prices
With the cost of fuel plummeting around the country, there's no excuse to have the gauge hit empty while you're driving. Make sure you fill up before pulling onto the highway, particularly if you're traveling during a popular timeframe. There's no telling how long you'll be stuck in traffic for – especially with last-minute delays like accidents and weather factors that can potentially impact your trip. 

4. Always have a backup plan
You could be driving the same route you've taken hundreds of times before, but one tiny factor could throw all of your plans out of whack. Make sure you prepare for the worst before pulling out of your driveway. Have maps or a navigational device ready in case you have to change course suddenly. It also helps to have some cash on hand, as there could be surprise tolls or other expenses on these alternate routes. 

5. Be flexible
No matter what, you should expect some kind of delays on the road. With so many uncontrollable factors coming into play, even the most thorough plans could be thrown off track. Just take a deep breath and go with the flow. 

Temperatures are steadily going down across the country, and there's no telling how low they could go this winter. Regardless of how many layers you bundle up in, you'll have to get used to the cold – especially if you regularly commute in the early hours of the morning or after the sun sets. 

Is hypothermia a real problem? 
You may think that feeling the chill is just a side effect of driving in winter. However, the danger of hypothermia is real. The condition occurs when body temperature drops to an abnormally low level, causing many functions to slow down. It is also characterized by disorientation, fatigue, slower reflexes and poor muscle function, with the most serious cases eventually escalating to the loss of consciousness. 

All of this sounds pretty intense – and possibly far-fetched – but it is a real threat in the wintertime. It can be particularly dangerous for children and smaller adults, as body size does play a role in generating heat and staying warm. Even leaving someone in a car for a few minutes puts them at risk. Just as it's dangerous to leave kids or pets in a hot car under the summer sun, it's not safe to keep them out in the cold. 

How to stay safe
On the surface, it seems like there's probably an easy fix: Don't leave children or pets in the car. However, it can become tricky, as it's possible to sneak into a vehicle in a home garage. Pets or kids may also make so little noise that the driver loses track of passengers. To avoid this, drivers are advised to always lock the car. This eliminates the risk of a pet or child climbing into the backseat when you're not paying attention. You should also keep something in the backseat that you won't forget about, such as a cellphone or a purse, as that will remind you to always turn around and check the area before leaving the car. 

Does your car need a little help before it can perform in winter? If so, schedule an appointment at NJ State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center. The garage caters to the public and is capable of addressing any issue you may have, including problems stemming from the HVAC system. 

Car theft is a problem that can strike anyone at any time. The National Insurance Crime Bureau recently released some information that points to winter being the most precarious time for drivers, as many let their guard down in the search for warmth. 

Why you must watch out this winter
When winter strikes and temperatures plummet, many drivers change up some of their habits. For example, it's common to see people turn on their cars and leave them idling, without a driver, to warm up. While that makes for a more comfortable interior when passengers finally load in, it also leaves the vehicle a clear target for theft. 

"We all like a warm car with a defrosted windshield, but so do the car thieves," said NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle. "Leaving a car running and unlocked in the driveway or parking lot is an open invitation to them to drive off with a vehicle that they normally couldn't steal." 

Don't let up on holidays
Certain holidays are also popular with criminals. The NICB noted that New Year's Day was the celebratory day with the most reported thefts, as 2,184 cars were stolen Jan. 1, 2013. That easily outpaced Halloween, which was in second place, and some of the summer holidays. However, a few other cold-weather festivals, such as Presidents' Day, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve also had quite a few reported thefts. 

There is some good news, though. Thanksgiving and Christmas Day were the two holidays with the lowest number of thefts, with Dec. 25 marking the lowest point for the entire 2013 calendar year, according to the NICB. 

Stay up-to-date on maintenance
One of the most important things you can do to avoid theft is to make sure your car is running on all cylinders – literally and figuratively. For instance, if your ride takes a long time to warm up in the morning, you may want to have the HVAC system checked out. A simple fix could have your heat blasting in no time, which in turn means you won't have to leave the vehicle idling out in the open. 

If you want to have a tune-up to see if your car can be improved, schedule an appointment at NJ State Auto's Total Car Care Center. The garage caters to the public and can address any issues you may have. 

Recognizing when your car is in need of some fixing can be tough if you're not a professional mechanic. However, it's certainly not impossible – especially when you're smart enough to use all of your senses. Your nose may be able to smell some strange things going on under the hood, and it can be a good indicator of what needs to be checked out. 

Below are five smells you may sniff around your car and what they could mean. Even if you can accurately locate the sources of these odors, be sure to schedule an appointment at NJ State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center. The professionals there can address any issues causing the smells while also making sure there are no underlying problems. 

1. Burning rubber
If you smell burning rubber, it's probably not because you're starring in your own version of "The Fast and the Furious." Instead, it could be due to belts and hoses rubbing up against the hot engine, which burns through the material and causes leaks or tears. You can lift the hood and check out the situation there, and potentially make some easy fixes, but the burning could also result in the need for replacement parts. 

2. Gasoline
It may sound obvious, but smelling gas is a sign of a potential problem with your gas tank or fuel injection system. Leaking fuel is a fire hazard, so be sure to get this checked by an expert as soon as possible. 

3. Burning carpet
Chances are you haven't smelled burning carpet before, but if you start inhaling something that could be this odor, it's time to check the brakes. When brake pads wear down or drag on the ground for extended periods of time, they emit this smell and may be unsafe. Have your brakes serviced and the pads replaced if necessary. 

4. Rotten eggs 
Rotten eggs isn't a pleasant smell at any time, and that extends to when you're in the car as well. The most common cause for this odor is a problem with your catalytic converter, which likely needs to be replaced. While this can be expensive, it's also a preventative measure that will definitely save you in the long run. 

5. Sweet syrup
Getting a whiff of something sweet may be nice when you're stuck in traffic, but if the smell is coming from your car, it's usually a warning sign that something is off with your engine coolant. Your best course of action is to let an expert examine the fluid levels when the car has cooled down. 

One of the most common reasons for taking a car into the shop is to figure out why that pesky check engine light is on. If you see your dash light up with this warning, take these three steps to address it. 

Step 1: Act on it 
First thing's first: Don't ignore the check engine light. While it may blend in with the many other lights and gauges on your dash, it flicks on for a reason. Even if yours is constantly turning on and off, you need to have the problem examined – it's good for your safety and your wallet. 

"Even if the vehicle appears to be running normally, ignoring the warning light could result in more costly repairs," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "At the very least, the light could be alerting you to an engine problem that is negatively impacting fuel economy and costing you money."

Step 2: Keep a level head
You shouldn't automatically assume anything about your check engine light. If the light is steady, then it's likely a standard problem that can be fixed with a quick tune up or a replacement part. There's no reason to freak out when this alert comes on, although that doesn't mean you should procrastinate a visit to a mechanic. 

"Motorists should not get spooked when the check engine light comes on," White continued. "When illuminated, the check engine light usually means that a vehicle system, such as the ignition, fuel injection or emission control, is not operating properly."

The exception to this comes when the check engine light blinks instead of simply remaining lit. In these instances, the light is trying to alert you of a bigger problem going on under the hood, and immediate action must be taken. Take care to slow down and ease off the power, then get your ride to an expert right away. 

Step 3: Stay on top of maintenance
It's important to remember that each time the check engine light turns on, it's a new problem you must address. Just because a past instance was a fluke or an easy fix doesn't mean it's always going to be that way. You need to regard each warning light as a potentially serious problem, and that means scheduling an appointment with a professional as soon as possible. The Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto can help in this regard, as the garage caters to the public and can address any issue you may have. 

With winter approaching, most of your energy will probably go toward switching to snow tires, inspecting the engine and making sure your heat is working smoothly. While all of these are certainly worthy causes, they aren’t the only issues you should be focusing on.

Your car’s headlights are just as important – especially during the winter – and they need to be treated as such. Bulbs can dim over time, and the glass can become dirty, making seeing the road more difficult. That’s hazardous at any time of year, but it’s magnified in the colder months when the sun sets earlier. Here are three tips that you should keep in mind as the days get darker. 

1. Don’t be afraid to upgrade 
First thing’s first: If you’ve had the same lights on your car for ages and they’ve never or rarely been looked at, it may be time to upgrade. Luckily, there are tons of viable options out there that won’t break the bank. 

2. Customize your ride 
So you know you can upgrade the lights themselves – now what? It’s not all about buying the most expensive option on the market. In fact, you can do a little shopping to find bulbs that are ideal for your driving habits. For instance, if you regularly drive great distances and are no stranger to nighttime road trips, you’ll need bulbs that can keep up, and those will be different than a parent who mostly commutes during the day. Do some research to find the perfect option for you. 

3. Treat headlights like any other part 
Many people don’t give their headlights a second thought, but it’s important to care for them just as meticulously as the engine or car battery. Make sure they’re examined regularly and given the same level of maintenance as the rest of the vehicle. All you have to do is note how they’re performing at all times of the year. If you see a dip in performance, take the car to an expert and rest easy. 

If you think your car’s headlights need some love, schedule an appointment with the Total Care Car Center at NJ State Auto Auction. The garage caters to the public and is capable of addressing any issues you may have. Even if your lights are in tip-top shape, the team of experts may be able to find a few other fixes that will enhance your driving experience.