Whether it's upkeep around the house or putting off fixing that broken computer, ignoring regular maintenance can be a bad decision, and that's especially true when it comes to your car. Putting off regular car care will not only make your vehicle run less smoothly, but will likely result in a big bill once you need to get more significant repairs.

Luckily, there are a number of ways to avoid such a fate. The most important thing, however, is to stay in front of problems so you can address them before they even start. After all, going in for routine maintenance is much more affordable than getting serious repairs.

"Maintaining and replacing key components such as brakes and batteries at proper intervals can keep vehicles on the road and help prevent dangerous and costly breakdowns in the future. The key is to be proactive. Take care of your car so it can take care of you," AutoZone's Jimmie Swims said.

Although being aware of the potential for complications in brakes and batteries is important, it takes a little more knowledge than simply knowing they can break down to keep them in working order. When it comes to batteries, experts suggest testing them if they're are four years or older, especially if you drive in tough conditions.

As for brakes, mechanics at AutoZone recommended checking them once every quarter to make sure they are as functional as possible. Not only will this save you money in the long run, it could also prevent an accident.

Whether you're looking to get your brakes inspected, battery tested or any other preventative maintenance, you may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a stable of knowledgeable mechanics, it will be sure to meet your needs.

With gas prices climbing past the $4-per-gallon mark, it might seem to reason that consumers would be reluctant to head out and buy new cars, but statistics are showing just the opposite. March was one of the best months in years for car sales, and gas prices might be the cause behind the rise, Automotive News reports.

Though it would not be surprising if motorists were buying newer, smaller cars, that's not exactly what's happening. Instead, consumers are returning to their same cars but believe the updated versions will get better gas mileage. Even though the initial investment of a new or used car might seem like it would cost more, since more recent models have better mileage, it may add up in favor of the consumer.

"It's not changing their buying habits," industry insider Mike Good told the news source. "But they want fuel efficiency. Everybody knows the mpg when they walk in."

The biggest indicator of just how consumer behavior has changed in the last four years is the sales of pickup trucks. Last time gas prices spiked this much, in May 2008, truck sales dropped 25 percent. In March, truck sales actually grew 11 percent.

Though most automakers performed well in March, there were certain companies that did better than others. According to the Baltimore Sun, Volkswagen was particularly successful, with a 35 percent rise in sales compared to March 2011.

The growing number of people buying new cars is good news for people looking to pick up a used vehicle. As people trade in their older models, more and more become available. New Jersey State Auto Auction has a wide variety of makes and models that are perfect for people looking to pick up a reliable pre-owned vehicle.

Men and women differ on almost everything, and it turns out that carries over onto the road as well. Several weeks ago Edmunds' Inside Line released a list of which cars were mostly purchased by female drivers. Now it offered up what the most popular cars among men are, and there is quite a stark difference.

At the top of the female list was the practical Volvo S40, but men went a much different route. According to the blog, the vehicle with the highest percentage of male buyers is the flashy Ferrari 458 Italia. An astonishing 95.3 percent of these high-performance vehicles are bought by men, which is significantly higher than the next-closest vehicle, the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, which comes in at about 92 percent. The Audi R8, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Ferrari California also made the top five.

Not all of the vehicles that made the list were high-performance sports cars or luxurious German-made sedans. In fact, some classic American rides made their way onto the list. The GMC Sierra came in at number eight with about 87.5 percent of its buyers being men. Right behind it was the Ford F-Series, with an 87 percent male driving population. Rounding out the top 10 was the Corvette, with 86.9 of purchases going to men.

Whether you're male or female, New Jersey State Auto Auction is sure to have the ideal used car for you. Thanks to a wide variety of makes and models at affordable price, it's easy for consumers to come home with a vehicle that suits their needs. Additionally, each one is CARFAX certified so you know you're getting a reliable vehicle.

Not every consumer is a gearhead, and many may be unfamiliar with the different options they have when it comes to how a vehicle runs. One of the things consumers may not consider is the vehicle's drivetrain. Certain cars are available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) while others may be equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) or, in far fewer vehicles, front-wheel drive (FWD). This defines which axle of the vehicle is doing the work to push the car forward. In the cases of rear- and front-wheel drive, only one axle is controlled by the engine, and the other just goes along for the ride.

Each setup offers unique advantages, but if you're unsure what the pro's and con's of each are, you may have a hard time discerning which is best for you. AWD and FWD vehicles are typically preferred by drivers who live in areas with adverse weather conditions. These provide better traction in the winter than RWD vehicles. AWD cars, with two driven axles, have much more traction than RWD and FWD models, making this setup ideal for harsh winters and rough terrain.

RWD provides more even weight distribution than AWD and FWD, since the driven axle is heavier than the other one, and this adds more support to the rear of the car to counteract the engine weight. However, heavy acceleration can be more dangerous in cars driven by the rear axle. It can result in oversteer and fishtailing, which is why many RWD vehicles feature traction control to minimize these issues.

Front-wheel drive vehicles can be dangerous when you have to slam on the brakes, as most of the vehicle's weight is in the front. This can affect the front tires as well, and result in a loss of traction when driving up steep hills.

These are just a few of the advantages and disadvantages of the different options. Regardless of which drivetrain a consumer wants, they will have plenty of options to choose from at New Jersey State Auto Auction. Plus, all of the used vehicles are CARFAX certified, so drivers know they're getting a reliable ride.

While high gas prices have led many motorists to downsize to a smaller car, some industry analysts say it's not as many as you might think. Some drivers are sticking with the same exact model they used to have because it will likely be more cost effective as manufacturers place an increased premium on high gas mileage, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Although improved mileage is one of the biggest reasons drivers are more likely to stay loyal to their current model, even if it's an SUV, there are other causes as well. In particular, experts say that back in 2008 when prices spiked, people downsized because they panicked. Today, however, drivers are more likely to be used to high gas prices and won't make impulsive decisions.

"After what we've all been through with the recession, people are much more informed about the complexities of the economy and therefore much less reactive to higher gas prices," Kit Yarrow, a professor of business and psychology at San Francisco's Golden Gate University, told the chronicle.

One look at the sales figures from February and March backs up analysts' assertions. According to the newspaper, smaller cars made up about 24 percent of overall car sales. While that's a bit more than the 2011 statistics, it's only by about 4 percent.

Whether you're looking to stick with the same model or downsize, New Jersey Auto Auction is sure to have the car you're looking for. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there's a perfect car for everyone. Additionally, since each vehicle is CARFAX certified, you know you're getting a reliable product.

The conditions are right for a surge in auto sales this spring, and it looks like manufacturers are on pace to have their best year since 2008. Thanks to an improving stock market, more affordable cars and steady job growth, consumers are becoming more likely to get behind the wheel of a new car, AOL Autos reports.

For a clear picture of how well automakers are doing at the moment, you need look no further than Kia. The South Korean company posted its best month ever in March, selling 50,000 cars for the first time in its history, with the Optima and Sorento performing especially well.

"Kia is on a tear, and has had a tremendous surge in consideration on our website," AOL Autos Editor-in-Chief David Kiley told the website. "They have done everything right for a while–good provocative design like the Kia Soul, value pricing, increasing quality and engaging advertising to get people to notice,"

American manufacturers have also had a very successful spring so far. In particular, Ford has seen a surge in sales with fuel-efficient cars being especially. Specifically, the Focus enjoyed a 78 percent growth in sales in March, up to an all-time record of more than 28,500 units sold, according to the website.

The number of people heading out to buy new vehicles may be good news for drivers who are more interested in purchasing a used car. As people trade-in their older rides, there will be plenty of inventory available.

If you're interested in getting behind the wheel of a used car, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the place to go. With a wide variety of makes and models, there's something for everyone, and since all vehicles are CARFAX certified, you know you're getting a reliable vehicle.

In an effort to save money, many drivers have been trying to get the most out of their cars, but few people have taken it to the level that one Florida woman did. Rachel Veitch, 93, recently said goodbye to her beloved 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente after driving an astonishing 576,000 miles, Fox News reports.

Veitch has been somewhat of a celebrity over the years for her loyalty to one car. It outlasted three of her marriages and she likely would have stayed behind the wheel had age-related macular degeneration not gotten in the way. After running a red light and having difficulty reading the newspaper, she realized it might be time for her to retire her beloved car for good.

There's no word on what's next for the famous car. It's slated to appear at an antique car show in the summer, and Veitch is considering selling it to Tonight Show host Jay Leno, an avid car collector. There's no particular secret to how she managed to drive the car so long other than simply treating it well.

"When I buy gas, I write down the mileage, the date and how many miles per gallon I got," she told the news source in an interview in 2009. "I've never been a destructive person and I've just taken care of everything, except my husbands."

While reaching the half-million mile mark may be unrealistic for the everyday driver, there are ways to make sure your car runs for as long as possible. A regular visit to New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center in Jersey City is one such way. By having regular tuneups and staying on top of maintenence, you'll be sure to drive your car to 100,000 miles and beyond.

Kelley Blue Book recently unveiled the winners of its Brand Image Awards, and longtime consumer favorite Honda came out on top. The manufacturer took home wins in two of the most coveted categories, while American-made brands such as Ford and Cadillac also performed well.

The study is based on consumer perception, and names winners in 12 different categories. Honda came home with two wins: Most Trusted Brand and Best Value Brand. The fact that Honda was named the Most Trusted Brand did not surprised analysts at Kelley Blue Book, who say the automaker has become known for its reliability and dependability over the years. Additionally, it scored well in terms of value because of its usually high resale price and high gas mileage.

Although Honda earned two of the top awards, Ford performed especially well too. In particular, it was recognized in four different categories, including Most Family-Friendly Brand. Kelley Blue Book believes the company has the re-tooled Explorer to thank for the family-friendly perception. Ford also was top in Best Interior Design – Non-Luxury, Most Rugged Truck Brand, and Best Exterior Design – Non-Luxury.

As for luxury cars, Cadillac and BMW performed well in terms of design, while Porsche was named Coolest Brand. Although the findings reflect consumer feelings toward particular brands, experts say it speaks volumes about their quality.

"Image isn't everything but it is more than enough to get shoppers into the store, and that's half the battle for automakers and their dealers," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. 

If you're looking to get behind the wheel of any of these vehicles, whether it be a used Ford or used Honda, you should head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there's sure to be the car for you.

Although many drivers know regular auto maintenance is an important part of car ownership, what might be less obvious is exactly how often you should get your vehicle looked at. In an effort to help and in recognition of National Car Care Month, the Car Care Council recently introduced a new tool that will provide an easy-to-follow schedule.

The tool is free to use and available at carecare.org. All drivers have to do is enter their personal vehicle information on the website, and they'll be provided with regular email updates to remind them when they need regular maintenance such as oil changes or replacement air filters.

The new website could be a big help to many motorists who put off getting their car looked at, whether for financial reasons or simply because they don't know when they should have a mechanic check something out. Specifically, a recent study found eight of 10 cars failed at least one inspection component.

"Chances are if you own a car, it needs some work. National Car Care Month in April is the perfect time to focus on your vehicle's maintenance needs," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, following a preventative maintenance schedule will help keep your vehicle safe, dependable and on the road longer."

Whether or not you need guidance on how often your car should see a mechanic, you should visit New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center to get work done. With a knowledgeable and talented group of professionals, you can get everything from regular upkeep to significant repairs taken care of.

Many analysts have predicted that the rising cost of gas would encourage many drivers to opt for more fuel-efficient vehicles, and General Motors' recent sales estimates seem to have proven them right. The automaker says that March was its best month of high mile-per-gallon cars in its lengthy history.

To qualify as a high-MPG ride, GM said the car has to get 30 miles to the gallon or more. The company said that it sold 100,000 such products during March, a figure much higher than in previous years. In fact, the amount of fuel-efficient vehicles has spiked significantly since as recently as 2009.

"Three years ago, about 16 percent of the vehicles GM sold achieved at least 30 mpg on the highway," said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, in a statement. "Today, that number is about 40 percent and we have more new fuel-economy leaders on the way, including the Chevrolet Spark, Cadillac ATS and Buick Encore."

GM currently offers 12 cars that fit the bill. The top-ranking vehicle is the electric Chevrolet Volt, which gets the equivalent of 93 miles per gallon, but for those not sold electric vehicles just yet, other options including the Chevrolet Sonic, Buick Verano and GMC Terrain all eclipse the 30 MPG mark.

Although this year's fleet of GM cars are particularly fuel-efficient, there are plenty of used options available that can save you just as much money at the pump. In particular, New Jersey State Auto Auction has a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, whether you're looking for a fuel-efficient used Chevrolet or a powerful SUV.