It's not exactly a secret that cars need maintenance to continue running well as long as possible, and until pretty recently, most car owners had to keep track of tuneup schedules and mileage to know when to bring their vehicles to the shop for oil changes and other maintenance. However, technological advancements in recent years have led to cars that let their drivers know when it's time to visit the garage. Some models have offered this feature for many years, but now it is far more common across nearly all brands and trim levels.

"The advancements in modern maintenance reminder systems take the guesswork out of deciding when to take your vehicle in for service," said John Nielsen, AAA's Director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. "The challenge now is educating consumers to trust that their vehicle will alert them when maintenance is needed."

A recent AAA survey revealed that of the 63 percent of car owners who have a maintenance repair alert system in their vehicles, only 51 percent rely on this service to determine when to get a tuneup or other maintenance. Whether a car is a bit older and its maintenance alert system is limited to a check engine light on the dashboard or it is a newer model that offers more specific information, drivers should not ignore these warnings. Delaying service could lead to extensive problems that will cost more to repair.

Drivers who live in the New York/New Jersey area can bring their cars to the Total Car Care Center at New Jersey State Auto Auction. This auto maintenance shop is open to the public, and the car repair experts here can address maintenance issues as well as pinpoint any issues that need to be taken care of, so drivers can keep their cars on the road as long as possible.

Fall is in full swing, and as temperatures continue to cool down, drivers should start thinking about preparing their rides for the icy cold months ahead. There are a few things every car owner should do to prepare for the changing of seasons, in order to help keep a vehicle running smoothly all year long. This ranges from getting a tuneup to changing the oil and waxing the exterior of the car.

"The winter driving season and harsh weather conditions can be particularly damaging to your vehicle, so it's important to start preparing your car against harmful elements in the fall before temperature really drop," said Mike Schultz, senior vice president of product development for Turtle Wax. "Early preparation can allow for cars to perform better during the hazardous driving conditions and is an all-around safer practice."

Drivers can conduct some maintenance at home, such as waxing the exterior to protect it from the dirt, debris, salt and other deicing products used on the roads in the winter. They can also inspect the various hoses and tubes for signs of damage or leaks. Parking the car on a level, clean surface overnight and then checking underneath can alert drivers if any fluids are leaking from their cars. It is also a good idea to inspect the car battery connections. If there are signs of corrosion, cleaning this off can help reduce the risk of a dead battery.

It is also important for drivers to have their vehicles inspected by trained professionals. The experts at New jersey State Auto Auctions' Total Car Care Center can perform a routine checkup to look for any issues that need to be addressed. They can also help with changing the oil, which should be done every few thousand miles regardless of the season.

As long as the proper steps are taken to ensure a vehicle is running smoothly, drivers can reduce the risk of encountering problems this winter. In turn, this can help them stay safer when the roads get icy.

General Motors recently announced that they would be discontinuing the use of front bench seats in its vehicles. The company's Chevrolet Impala was the last car in the U.S. to come with this option, but the next model will feature bucket seats instead. In fact, the bench made the Impala the only sedan sold in America that offers six-person seating, according to Forbes.

"There is a certain nostalgia for bench seats, like being able to snuggle up with your date at a drive-in movie, and some customers still like them," said GM's design director, Clay Dean. "You never know, we might see bench seats re-emerge someday, possibly even in small cars like the EN-V urban mobility concept vehicles, in which the feeling of open space may be very desirable."

Chevrolet told Forbes that the Impala's front bench seat, which has been an option on the brand's sedans since the first Chevy (the Series C Classic Six) rolled off the production line in 1911. Approximately 10 percent of Impala buyers these days opt for the feature, which is an added cost for new car buyers.

Those in the market for a used model may be able to find one with a bench seat already installed. New Jersey Auto Auction carries a wide variety of makes and models, so there's a good chance drivers will be able to find a care that suits their needs. The dealer also has guaranteed credit approval, thanks to partnerships with many major lenders.

As September winds to a close, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) is predicting auto sales will remain relatively on par with annual predictions. This month's seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) comes in at around 14.3 million units, which is about what experts predicted at the beginning of the year. This also places September sales 8 percent ahead of the same month last year. While this is a slight drop from August's SAAR of 14.5 million units, KBB officials believe consumer demand will continue to drive sales.

"The average vehicle on the road today is approximately 11 years old. Those consumers that have delayed their purchase of a new vehicle during the past several years due to economic reasons are finally making the decision to trade up to something new," said Alec Guttierez, senior market analyst of automotive insights for KBB. "As a vehicle ages beyond 10 years old, or has more than 100,000 miles on the odometer, rising maintenance costs and deteriorating reliability can become a serious headache. Drivers of older vehicles are keenly aware of this fact and many are opting to take advantage of the near zero percent finance offers on today's more reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles to achieve peace of mind."

Purchasing a brand new car may not be an option for everyone, and in many cases buying a used car can be the wiser choice. Used models do not depreciate in value as quickly as new vehicles. They are also an excellent option for drivers who are on a budget. Those in the New York/New Jersey area who are considering purchasing a used vehicle can head to NJ State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a wide selection of makes and models. Plus, thanks to partnerships with many major lenders, NJ Auto Auction offers guaranteed credit approval for everyone.

The automotive industry is still recovering from the recession, and as sales pick back up, the muscle car class has been seeing an increasing interest. Total Car Score, an automotive ranking and comparison website, recently found there has been a growing interest surrounding powerful sports cars. The additional demand for these decades-old models has driven up the price. For example, the two most highly sought-after vehicles – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and 1971 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda – are both worth an estimated $425,000 in good condition.

While a large part of this trend surrounds vintage models from the late 1960s and early 70s, interest in newer vehicles has been growing as well.

"We're seeing a general rise in auction and listing prices of classic muscle cars as market interest in these models picks up," said Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of Total Car Score. "Rare older models, in original or properly restored condition, are increasing in value even as the general economy continues to struggle. At the same time, the capability of modern muscle cars has skyrocketed over the past 12 years. For value seekers, several models produced between 2000 and 2010 offer excellent performance at a relatively low purchase price."

Some of the newer models include the 2000 Ford Mustang Cobra R, 2010 Chrysler 300 SRT-8, 2004 Mercury Marauder and 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8. Drivers who want to own a piece of modern muscle car history can head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer has a wide selection of makes and models, and their inventory is constantly changing. With so many options to choose from, motorists should have no trouble finding a powerful ride.

It's not exactly a secret that larger vehicles use more gasoline than smaller ones, and medium-duty trucks are in the gas guzzler group, and despite improvements, customer satisfaction has not improved in the past year. J.D. Power and Associates' 2012 U.S. Medium-Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Study indicates that driver satisfaction in this vehicle class remained unchanged from 2011 – 757 points out of 1,000. The lack of change in satisfaction is somewhat surprising, as fuel economy across the class averaged 12 percent improvements in the past year. The report indicates this may have a lot to do with increased costs for consumers.

"Even with advances in fuel economy and quality, the cost to manage truck fleets continues to increase, negatively impacting satisfaction," said Brent Gruber, director of the commercial vehicle practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "Higher fuel and truck prices have impacted satisfaction, pushing principal maintainers to look at other cost savings options. However, they have concerns regarding new alternative fuel technology."

There continue to be more offerings of medium duty trucks with alternative fuel options such as hybrid, diesel, natural gas and electric technologies. However, they study found consumers are still hesitant to embrace these choices due to concerns about reliability and fueling. Many may prefer to stick with what they know when it comes to trucks, and New Jersey State Auto Auction is a great place to find a good deal on a used pickup. The dealer carries a wide selection of makes and models and every truck on the lot is CARFAX certified. This means truck shoppers will know they're getting behind the wheel of a reliable ride.

Despite slowed economic improvements, the automotive industry continues to fare well.A monthly sales forecast by J.D. Power and Associates indicates September sales are set to remain on target with an 11 percent annual increase predicted earlier this month. Overall vehicle sales should reach an estimated 1,152,700 units by the end of the month. Certain vehicle classes are faring better than others, as J.D. Power predicts subcompact, compact and midsize sedans will all see increases of at least 25 percent over last year. Large trucks, and SUVs will not fare so well, suggesting a consumer push for smaller, more fuel efficient models.

"Retail sales in early September were 15 percent higher than they were a year ago, which is reflective of a healthy market," said John Humphrey, senior vice president of global automotive operations at J.D. Power and Associates. "We expect retail sales to level off through the rest of the month, but still remain a strong share of total sales."

There are many different factors influencing vehicle sales, including increased supply as Japan recovers from the 2011 earthquakes. Consumer confidence is another reason more cars are being sold. While the economic recovery is not happening quickly, the improvements are enough to make drivers feel comfortable trading in their current models. For those who are still on a tight budget, New Jersey Auto Auction offers a wide selection of used makes and models at affordable prices. Every vehicle on the lot is CARFAX certified, allowing car shoppers to feel confident that they are getting behind the wheel of a reliable ride.