As summer heats up, it is important for parents and anyone else traveling with children or pets to take precautions to prevent accidental heat stroke. The interior of a car can get extremely hot very quickly, even if it's the temperature is not that high outside. SafeKids.org reports the interior of a car can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit on an 80-degree day in just 10 minutes.

You should never, ever leave a child unattended in a car – even for just a few minutes – as this can lead to hyperthermia and even death. An average of 38 children die in cars each year, roughly one death every nine days, according to KidsandCars.org. You should always check your car before exiting to ensure your children are not still inside. Leaving a purse, wallet or phone in the back can help serve as a reminder to double check, as there is no such thing as being too safe. Even if you are certain you'd never forget your child was in the car accidents can happen, so it is best to err on the side of caution.

The same precautions should be taken for pets. Animals are just as susceptible to heatstroke as people, and cracking a window is not enough. Bonnie Betrang, a community service officer at the Eau Claire Police Department in Wisconsin, told the Leader-Telegram people bringing pets along for a car ride should leave the car running with the air conditioner on. If this cannot be done, it is safer to leave the pet at home.

If the air conditioner or power windows are not working, drivers may want to take their cars to NJ State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center can handle any repairs to keep vehicles safe this summer.

Many drivers today want to keep their vehicles on the road as long as possible, and some cars make it much farther than others. Irvin Gordon's 1966 Volvo P1800S is a testament to the possibility of making a car last a lifetime. The odometer on the convertible is nearing the 3 million mile mark, with roughly 34,000 miles left to go before Gordon reaches yet another milestone, according to The Associated Press. In 2002, the Volvo was named the first High Mileage Vehicle by Guinness World Records, a record which Gordon still holds.

Gordon bought the car in April 1966 for $4,150 – an entire year's salary. He opted to pay the extra $10 for an AM/FM radio, but skipped the luxury of air conditioning for his red convertible. Nearly 50 years later Gordon, now 72, is still cruising around in his record-setting car. The news source reports he has an affinity for road trips, traveling around the country and to Canada for fun and to visit auto shows. But he knows his near half-century-old car is not in brand new condition, so he fills his trunk with a slew of car parts, just in case.

"I have a set of everything," he told the AP. "If I have it, then I am not going to need it."

Gordon's mechanic told the news source the reason the Volvo has lasted so long and endured so many road trips is because it receives regular maintenance. This is key to keeping a car on the road as long as possible, and drivers who want their cars to last will need to have regular tuneups performed, just as Gordon does. Folks in the Jersey City area can take their vehicles to the Total Car Care Center at New Jersey State Auto Auction for maintenance and any repair needs.

There have been so many advancements in automotive technology in the past few years, and many of them have been in the safety department. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently reported forward collision avoidance systems in particular have made a noticeable impact on the reduction of traffic accidents. The agency examined insurance claim data for cars equipped with a variety of safety technology features

"As more automakers offer advanced technologies on their vehicles, insurance data provide an early glimpse of how these features perform in the real world," said Matt Moore, vice president of IIHS affiliate Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). "So far, forward collision technology is reducing claims, particularly for damage to other vehicles, and adaptive headlights are having an even bigger impact than we had anticipated."

For example, Mercedes and Acura models equipped with forward collision warning had an accident rate 14 percent lower than those without the technology. Lane departure warnings were shown to actually increase the risk of accidents, and blind spot detection and park assist did not have a measurable impact on driver safety.

Even with advanced safety technology, some car crashes are still unavoidable. After a car accident, you may need to get some repair work done on your vehicle to get it back on the road. You can head over to the Total Car Care Center at New Jersey State Auto Auction for all your repair needs. The experts can address bodywork, engine damage and any other work your car will need. If your vehicle is totaled in a crash, NJ State Auto can help you find a new ride. The dealer has a wide selection of makes and models all at affordable prices.

The roads tend to get a little bit more crowded around the holidays, and this July Fourth will be no different, even though it falls in the middle of the week. In fact, the Wednesday holiday is part of the reason AAA expects a higher volume of travelers to take to the roads from Tuesday, July 3 through to Sunday, July 8. The automotive organization predicts an estimated 1.3 million New Jersey residents will travel at least 50 miles during the Independence Day holiday period, which is 4.1 percent higher than last year. Those planning to drive account for 84 percent of New Jerseyans who will travel for the holiday.

"The extra time, coupled with falling gas prices have helped encourage travelers to hit to roadway in force," said Cathleen Lewis, director of public affairs for AAA New Jersey Automobile Club. "While travelers continue to seek ways to economize, the longer holiday period allows for longer trips."

This estimate does not account for out-of-state travelers who will surely be contributing to the congestion on the roadways. With so many cars on the roads this week, it is especially important for drivers to put safety first. Checking tire pressure before hitting the road can help make the journey safer and improve fuel efficiency, as having too little air in the tires makes the car work harder and use more gas.

It is also a good idea to check fluid levels, from the oil and coolant to the windshield washer fluid, prior to a long journey. Low levels can be topped off, but you might want to consider taking the car to the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction in Jersey City if you suspect a leak. The experts at the shop can inspect your vehicle and make necessary repairs so you'll be safer en route to your vacation destination this week.

Patriotism tends to get a big boost around Independence Day, and Americans everywhere are thinking more about their country when it comes to the vehicles they drive. To determine the "most American" cars, the annual American-Made Index report by Cars.com looks at a variety of factors for the top-selling vehicles. The report accounts for U.S. sales as well as where the cars are assembled, and brand doesn't have as much to do with how American a vehicle is as you might think.

The Toyota Camry has been the number one car on the index for the past four years, and the Japanese manufacturer has two other vehicles in the top 10 list – the Sienna and the Tundra. The Camry and Sienna are both assembled in Indiana, and the Tundra is built in Texas, which means the Japanese automaker has built plants and created jobs in America.

"For most car shoppers, how 'American' a vehicle is doesn't impact their final purchase," said Cars.com editor-in-chief Patrick Olsen. "However, according to a Cars.com survey we conducted in May, nearly 25 percent do prefer to buy American and nearly half of those people would be swayed to buy a foreign make if they knew it was assembled in the U.S. We do our index every year to make sure shoppers who do factor this into their purchase decision have the right information."

There were some American brands on the index, and General Motors had the highest showing with the Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave all making the grade. The Jeep Liberty and Ford F-150 also came in as top-rated "American" cars.

If you're looking to get behind the wheel of a vehicle this Independence Day, you can head to New Jersey Auto Auction. The dealer has a variety of makes and models, from American brands to those based overseas and built on U.S. soil, so you can be sure to find a patriotic ride.