The cost of gas has been well-above $3 for some time now, but now news sources across the country are reporting prices have gone past $4 per gallon. AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report indicates that the national average is about $3.61 for regular unleaded gas, but states like California, Washington, Oregon, New York, Maine, West Virginia and Connecticut are seeing an average of $4.27.

ABC News affiliate KGO-TV reports that by noon on Wednesday, a gas station near the San Francisco Airport was selling regular fuel for $4.59 per gallon. Things are ever worse for Florida drivers, where gas prices have reached nearly $6 per gallon in some areas. Drivers are filling up for $5.79 in Orlando, according to CBS Tampa. The rest of the state is closer to the national average, but Florida motorists are still paying about 12 cents more than average.

"Prices over in Disney World area are much higher than any other place in Florida," AAA spokeswoman Jessica Brady told the news source. "It doesn't look like we will have relief at the pump anytime soon. I do think we will see prices surpass $4 a gallon. I think we will see that closer to springtime."

Drivers can take steps to improve the fuel economy of their current vehicles. Shutting off vehicles while they are idling is a wise move, as the U.S. Department of Energy reports idling can use between a quarter and a half gallon of gas per hour. Observing speed limits will reduce fuel consumption as well. Mileage typically decreases significantly at speeds above 60 miles per hour.

Getting regular maintenance and oil changes improves the engine's efficiency as well. Drivers can take their cars to New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center, located in Jersey City and open to the public, to get tuneups, oil changes and make sure their vehicles are running smoothly. 

Auto maintenance can be one of the most troubling aspects of car ownership for drivers. Even if it's a small repair, it can be unfamiliar territory for some motorists who don't know what to expect when they take their vehicle to get fixed. In an effort to ease any worries, the Car Care Council recently released a video aimed at educating consumers of the repair shop experience.

The video, titled "Auto Service and Repair: What to Expect," provides a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on at car care centers. It also offers a number of tips on everything from finding the right businesses to asking the right questions. Being knowledgeable about the maintenance process is a significant part of car ownership, but unfortunately this is something that many people may not realize.

"For many consumers, taking their vehicle in for service or repair can cause anxiety and lead them to postpone necessary maintenance and repairs," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "Neglecting routine service can cause more expensive repairs later. Our new, candid, no-nonsense video provides tips and advice, and lays out realistic expectations for motorists who need help finding and working with an auto service and repair shop."

In addition to anxiety, financial concerns may also cause drivers to put off getting their car fixed. A study from Consumer Reports found that 40 percent of motorists are putting off getting repairs or general upkeep on their primary vehicle due to the economy.

If you need to get your car looked at, New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center is the place to go. Located in Jersey City and open to the public, its knowledgeable staff can quell any of the worries you might have.

As winter starts to give way to spring, some motorists may be interested in starting out the warmer seasons with a new set of wheels by way of a used car. But before they do, it might be wise to look at what the market has in store for the next several months, and according to Kelley Blue Book, there is both good news and bad news.

Industry experts are predicting that the values of used cars will rise between 3 to 5 percent from now through June. Though that might deter some consumers from shopping for a used car, when compared to this time last year, prices are much lower. Between January and June 2011, used car values rose 10 percent.

There are a number of reasons for the lower rates of increase, but a lot of it is tied to the fact that gas prices may not be as high as they were during the spring of 2011. In that time, the demand for compact and hybrid cars rose considerably, which tended to drive the price up.

"Values of compact and subcompact cars should outperform the overall market average, but not by more than 2 to 3 percent, unless speculative investors drive up oil prices," KBB reports.

Regardless of how much the value of used cars rise, there are numerous benefits of purchasing a pre-owned vehicle. For example, you'll be able to save money on insurance and many used cars are as reliable as their brand new counterparts, according to Edmunds.

Though the values of used cars may be rising, you won't have a problem locating a good deal at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The wide variety of makes and models offered at the dealer all come at affordable prices.

The all-new Buick Verano is garnering a lot of consumer interest, according to a recent AutoTrader.com New Car Insights Report. The company analyzes the amount of consumer attraction to vehicles on its website, and then compiles a list of the top 20 "Big Movers" that have experienced the largest increases in month-over-month interest.

The Buick Verano, which has only been in production for one year, saw a 95.7 percent increase. The sedan is both affordable (starting at $22,585) and fuel efficient, with an estimated 32-mile-per-gallon fuel economy. MotorTrend reports that the Verano came from the same family as the Chevy Cruze and the Volt, and is a bit smaller than the Buick Regal. A 180-horsepower 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing provides drivers with a smooth, fun to drive vehicle. MotorTrend indicates that the next model will likely get a slightly larger, more powerful engine, but with more power comes more fuel usage.

GM's new luxury sedan was not the only small model to make it onto AutoTrader's "Big Mover" list. The Subaru Impreza came in second, with a 39.4 increase in consumer interest and the Ford Focus saw a rise of 27.6 percent. Toyota was the real leader of the pack, with four vehicles on the list, the most of any automaker. The Prius saw a 38.1 percent climb in shopper interest and the Prius V, Yaris and Corolla all did well, too.

Whether drivers are looking for a used Focus, Corolla, Prius or other fuel-efficient vehicles, New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of makes and models at affordable prices. All their cars are CARFAX certified as well, so motorists know they'll be driving away in a reliable vehicle.

There may be a common perception that Americans love to hit the open road, but in 2011 that was certainly not the case. Recently-released statistics from the government show that travel on U.S. roads reached its lowest point since 2003, as fears of high gas prices and a struggling economy led drivers to keep their cars in their garages, The Detroit News reports.

The final figures from the Federal Highway Administration  came out to about 2.963 trillion total miles driven in 2011. No small figure, to be sure, but it marks a 1.2 percent decrease from 2010 – or about 35.7 billion fewer miles. While 2011 may have been a down year, there is reason to think American motorists may be more likely to drive in 2012.

Despite an overall downward trend, drivers actually showed a growing tendency to drive in December 2011 compared to 2010. According to the newspaper, Americans drove 3.2 billion more miles in the final month this year compared to last year. That, coupled with a seemingly-improving economy, could point to a more mobile population.

Though the economy may be improving, it hasn't changed drivers' likelihood of holding on to cars longer than ever before. A recent Polk survey found that the average length of car ownership is around six years, a 23 percent increase compared to the third quarter of 2008.

If you're planning on driving a lot more in 2012, you may want to consider buying a fuel-efficient used car from New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models, from the Ford Fusion to the Chevrolet Cruze, there is something for everyone.

Over the last decade cars have not only become more fuel-efficient but they have also performed better. However, perhaps the greatest innovations of all have been in the technological realm, as vehicles come equipped with more gadgets than ever before. That likely won't change anytime soon and according to USA Today, there are a few trends that consumers should expect to see in the coming years.

Many auto experts believe that the days of physical gauges on the dashboard are numbered. In their place will be digital instruments ranging from the speedometer to the odometer to the gas gauge. This so-called "glass cockpit" has made its way into a number of more affordable models and that trend will likely only grow in the near future, according to the publication.

Engines may also become smarter as technology advances. Experts say that engines may be able to recognize certain driving patterns and change accordingly. For instance, USA Today reports that Ford has demonstrated that an engine may be able to change how much gas it uses depending on the situation – whether it be city or highway driving.

Another popular advancement will make cars safer than they ever have been. While driver assistance is common in some higher-end vehicles, analysts say that sensors warning motorists of everything from whether or not they're drifting to if there is a car in their blind spot could become commonplace.

Technological advances may make driving more enjoyable, but it does make regular maintenance even more important. Thanks to New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center, that's not an issue. Located in Jersey City and open to the public, the center provides everything from scheduled upkeep to repairs to keep your car running smoothly.

Used cars can offer drivers a reliable set of wheels at a fraction of the cost of new models, but you have to know where to look. There are certainly vehicles that are simply better deals and if you're looking to keep your spending under $8,000, The Street reports that there are a few options that stand above the rest.

Kia has been rising in popularity in recent years, so it's no wonder that the 2008 Kia Rio made it on the list. Kelley Blue Book values the car at around $7,680 and given that it's just four years old, it may be the closest thing you can get to new for such an affordable price.

Anybody looking for a pickup without a steep price tag should consider the 2002 Toyota Tundra. According to the website, its KBB retail value is a modest $5,950, and although it's 10 years old, given Toyota's track record of reliable vehicles that should not be a problem – especially if you take good care of it.

"Toyota was an underdog in pickup trucks then, and it still is, but the Tundra has proven to be a good truck and it meets all the [reliability] expectations that come with a Toyota,"  Jason Allan, the kbb.com managing editor, told the website.

Similar to the Tundra, the 2002 Toyota Corolla is a good choice as well. With a price tag of just over $6,000 the Corolla is likely to remain among the most popular used cars on the road.

Regardless of what vehicle you're looking for, New Jersey State Auto Auction will have you covered. With a wide variety of makes and models there's sure to be one to suit your needs.

Hatchbacks have become increasingly popular in the United States, but consumers who are looking for a new or used car are still most likely to have only two options in mind – crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) or mid-size sedans. In particular, CUVs have experienced the greatest growth in consumer interest in recent years and Motor Trend does not expect the fad to die out any time soon.

When people are in the market for a new or used car, they have a growing tendency to look at vehicles in pairs. Experts say that drivers will often end up choosing between the two segments and manufacturers are apparently taking note of the change in consumer preference.

"We're calling this the supersegment, because people cross-shop these so much," Samantha Hoyt, marketing manager for the new Ford Fusion, told the publication. "It'll be Camry-Escape, Camry-Fusion, Escape-Accord, that whole CR-V-Escape, they're all shopping each other."

Ford has been especially successful in pushing its popular Escape. In advance of the release of the much-anticipated 2013 model of the CUV, Ford has sold many older models and through November 2011 had managed to sell 228,719 Escapes.

Though longtime CUV favorties like the Escape, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4 are still very much popular choices, Kia has been moving in on their territory. The South Korean company was recently named as the brand with the best overall cost of ownership by Kelley Blue Book thanks in no small part to its best selling CUV – the Sorento.

Whether you're looking for a used Ford, Honda or Kia, New Jersey State Auto Auction is a good place to go. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices you'll be sure to find the right car for you.

It turns out that price may not be the only reason why you should buy a used car over a new one. Results of a new study suggest that the so-called "new car smell" could actually make you sick. The scent some people find so appealing is sometimes caused by volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) that may damage your health, USA Today reports.

The research was conducted at the Ecology Center, which analyzed the materials used in the construction of the interior of new cars. It found that some models are healthier for drivers than others, with the Honda Civic having the lowest amount of dangerous chemicals of all new models. On the other hand, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport had the highest levels.

Specifically, the Outlander Sport contain a number of harsh chemicals such as bromine and antimony-based flame retardants as well as chromium-treated leather. The car's seating contained 400 parts-per-million of lead.

Although it might seem like bad news, automakers are actually taking steps correct the problem. Jeff Gearhart, research director at the Ecology Center, told USA Today that "it's a positive story, because the industry is working on" finding new materials and chemicals that may be less hazardous.

The new car smell may have a somewhat pleasant scene to some, but if it is harmful to your health, is it worth it? Automobiles that are several years old may no longer have that new car smell but will still run just as well. New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of used cars available to the public at affordable prices, and with a wide variety of makes and models there is something for everyone.

With high gas prices and an uncertain economy, it's no surprise that drivers are looking to downsize their cars. What is a little unusual, however, is that hatchbacks are making a comeback. Industry insiders say that the tiny cars have risen in popularity over the years, with many choosing them over full-sized sedans, AOL Autos reports.

Though hatchbacks have made an industry-wide comeback, Fords appear to be especially popular. Many people purchasing the Fiesta are opting for the five-door hatchback over other models. In fact, as many as 50 percent of consumers who bought the Fiesta chose that model over the sedan. The same can be said for the popular Ford Focus, with 40 percent of buyers choosing the hatchback. Toyota and Nissan have seen similar figures.

While they're certainly not going to pose a real challenge to the dominance of sedans anytime soon, hatchbacks have certainly come a long way since the early 1970s when they first hit the market. According to the website, many of the models come with all the bells and whistles of other high-end models – all at a much lower price.

The fact that small cars are better than ever was on display at the recent Chicago Auto Show. Many manufacturers placed the focus on downsized models, whether they be hatchbacks or crossover SUVs, and experts say they're not like the tiny vehicles of yesteryear.

"Small cars now offer not only 40 mpg, but are bigger, roomier, loaded with content and pleasant to spend time in,"  Aaron Bragman, a senior analyst with IHS Automotive, told the Chicago Tribune.

If you're looking to get behind the wheel of a smaller car, you need look no further than New Jersey State Auto Auction. Whether you want a Ford Focus hatchback or hope to make the change from an SUV to a sedan, New Jersey Auto has you covered.