Monthly Archives: October 2016

Tongue Weight – the Key to Safe Towing

By
Posted in Auto Industry News

gmc logo 3

Proper tongue weight can make the difference between a safe trailer-towing experience and a dangerous one.  Like the Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the tongue weight must be ‘just right’ – too little and the trailer could start swaying from side to side; too much weight and the force could overload the rear tires of the tow vehicle and push the rear end of the vehicle out of control.  Tongue weight also affects how safely you can go around corners and curves, as well as how quickly you can brake.

 

How to figure out the tongue weight? Proper tongue weight is about 10 to 15% of the total loaded trailer weight. For example, if a 2,000-pound trailer is loaded with 1,000 pounds of cargo, the safe tongue weight of the loaded trailer should be between 300 and 450 pounds or 10-15% of the total of the two – or 3,000 pounds.

 

Other important things to consider are the type of hitch and placement of the load. For example, #Sierra1500 models towing trailers with tongue weights over 700-800 pounds need to make sure they are using a weight-distributing hitch rather than a weight-carrying hitch.

 

It’s important for the load to be properly placed to ensure safe towing, with about 60% of the load centered evenly over the front half of the trailer. For example, if the 2,000 pound trailer is carrying 1,000, about 600 pounds should be in the front half of the trailer.

 

You can check that your trailer is properly balanced by visiting a public scale and weighing your vehicle and trailer a few times.

 

And of course, our New Jersey Auto Auction’s Sales and Service team is happy to advise you on how to have a safe trailing experience. Our family-owned dealership has built a reputation of customer-service excellence. We want to make sure you have a safe drive!  Visit our website at www.njstateauto.com.

 

#NJSAA

#NJStateAuto

#NJStateAutoAuction

New Jersey State Auto Auction

406 Sip Avenue

Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

Phone: 201.355.4138

Website: www.NJStateAuto.com

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

By
Posted in How To

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

2013 Cadillac SRX Crossover – A Great Family Vehicle

By
Posted in Auto Industry News

Cadillac

One of the best-selling Cadillac models is the compact luxury Cadillac SRX crossover. No longer just a utility vehicle, the 2013 Cadillac SRX has plenty of room for four adults, ample storage capability, a new CUE infotainment system with a crisp clear LCD screen offering intuitive controls over audio, phone and climate control functions. The interior is a sophisticated blend of technology plus luxury.

The 2013 Cadillac SRX provides a responsive driving experience with crisp handling and cornering, and is capable of some serious back-road capability.  Safety is an important feature in the SRX and the Driver Assist and Driver Awareness packages include automatic-braking technologies that help reduce the chance of low-speed impacts. The unique vibrating Safety Alert Seat warns that the car’s sensors have detected an impending dangerous situation.

The SRX comes in four trim levels, including Base, Luxury, Performance and Premium. All levels feature a 3.6-liter V6 engine that delivers  308 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque with a six-speed automatic  transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available for any SRX trim. Acceleration is average for compact luxury crossovers going from zero to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.

The base model comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, automatic headlights, keyless entry and remote engine start an eight-way power driver seat, a reclining and 60/40 split-folding rear seat, cruise control and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. The SRX Luxury adds front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot and cross-traffic alert, a rearview camera, rain-sensing wipers, a panoramic sunroof, keyless ignition/entry and a power liftgate with adjustable opening height. Luxurious leather upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, adjustable thigh support for the driver seat and an eight-way power passenger seat add to driver and passenger comfort.

Our sales team at New Jersey State Auto Auction invites you to come test drive our luxury SUV crossovers. We’re sure your family will appreciate the great driving experience.  Our finance team is ready to help you drive your dream car out of the lot! And you can depend on our service team to keep your new vehicle performing

 

 

#NJSAA

#NJStateAuto

#NJStateAutoAuction

New Jersey State Auto Auction

406 Sip Avenue

Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

Phone: 201.355.4138

Website: www.NJStateAuto.com

Can’t Afford to Buy New? Consider a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle.

By
Posted in Auto Industry News

shutterstock_329532386

NJ State Auto Auction and Sales’ wide selection of used vehicles includes some choice Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. For a lot less money, you can buy a car that feels almost new, even if it has some miles on the odometer.

 

Buying a CPO vehicle also takes some of the uncertainty out of buying a used car because it guarantees that the mechanical condition of the vehicle is up to the manufacturer’s high standards.  CPO vehicles are inspected by factory-trained mechanics to ensure it meets specific standards. The dealership replaces or repairs anything that is worn beyond the limits of the manufacturer’s program.

 

For example, Volkswagen’s CPO program specifies that a vehicle must be no more than five model years old with fewer than 75,000 miles. In addition, it must have been operated by the previous owner for at least 12 months.  A factory-trained Volkswagen mechanic performs a 112-point inspection, repairs any problems, bringing the vehicle as close to new condition as possible. The vehicle then comes with a limited two-year/24,000 mile warranty that covers the powertrain, air conditioning and electrical system, among other things. VW also provides two years of 24-hour roadside assistance. Other manufacturers have similar programs and comparable warranties. Visit your favorite automaker’s website to see the specific CPO details.  

One caution –  the term “certified” can mean different things at different dealerships. Make sure to know if the manufacturer is certifying the car of just the dealership and find out what is covered in the certification and warranty.

CPO programs are perfect for anyone who wants to save money over the price of a new car, but who also wants to drive a near-new car that comes with a solid warranty.  While a little more pricey than non-certified used cars, they can be a good investment.

The experienced and knowledgeable team at New Jersey State Auto Auction and Sales can help you find your perfect CPO vehicle. We have a huge inventory at our Jersey City showroom and invite you to come in for a test drive. Our expert finance team will work with you so you can drive off the lot in your dream car. And our dependable service team can keep it running in top-notch condition.

 

 

#NJSAA

#NJStateAuto

#NJStateAutoAuction

New Jersey State Auto Auction

406 Sip Avenue

Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

Phone: 201.355.4138

Website: www.NJStateAuto.com

2014 Chevrolet Malibu – A Great Car for the Whole Family

By
Posted in Auto Industry News

Chevy 1

Looking for a more upscale family sedan? Bring the family over to New Jersey State Auto Auction in Jersey City to test drive the 2014 Malibu mid-size sedan.  The kids will find lots of leg-room in the rear seats and you’ll appreciate the large center console with plenty of room for storing things.  If you’ve got tall drivers in your family, you’ll find the power driver seat can adjust to fit your larger frame. Smartphone use is easy with the touch screen interface that allows for voice control, stream music and is compatible with internet radio. With the quiet cabin and smooth, bump-free ride, it’s sure to please everyone!

The Malibu also looks great with its sleek front-end styling. And it performs well!  Its 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine has a combined fuel economy rating similar to the Eco model, with a combined fuel economy rating of 25 mpg city/36 mpg highway. The engine is powerful enough to keep up with the flow of traffic, both around town and on the highway. The stop-start system is hardly noticeable while you drive, though you’ll see its advantages when you fill-up at the pump. The good handling and responsive steering makes this an easy car to drive.

Safety features include antilock brakes, stability and traction control and lots of airbags: front knee, front side, rear side and side curtain in the event of a crash. The OnStar telematics system provides lots of useful features. The optional rearview camera helps with visibility and you can also get advanced warning and alert systems for forward collision, lane departure, monitoring blind spots as well as rear cross-traffic.  The Malibu got five stars out of five for overall crash protection as well as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest rating.

The above average-sized 16.3-cubic-foot trunk accommodates travel gear and shopping purchases.

Come give this car a spin at New Jersey State Auto Auction. If it turns out not to be the car for you, our sales team is sure to find just the perfect car to suit your family’s needs.

 

#NJSAA

#NJStateAuto

#NJStateAutoAuction

New Jersey State Auto Auction

406 Sip Avenue

Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

Phone: 201.355.4138

Website: www.NJStateAuto.com