Independence Day is just a week away, and this means many people will be packing up the car and heading to the shore to celebrate. This July 4, it is especially important to drive safely and cautiously, as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports this is the deadliest day for motorists – especially teens.

The entire month of July has proven to be the most dangerous month for drivers, and the number of fatal accidents peaks on July 4. According to the IIHS, teen drivers account for approximately 10 percent of fatal accidents on the holiday. This puts them, as well as other drivers, at risk on the road, so parents should remind their teens of the importance of safety behind the wheel.

"These tragedies are compounded by the fact that many crashes are preventable," said Phil Telgenoff, field vice president of Allstate in California. "Driver error, speeding and distractions are the main causes of crashes, and seemingly simple activities such as switching radio stations or interacting with friends can significantly impair a teen's or adult's ability to react quickly to changing traffic conditions. Staying focused on the road, wearing seat belts and following the speed limit and other road rules are simple steps we can all take this July 4 to make sure that we return home safely."

Another way to stay safe on the road is to make sure your vehicle is running smoothly before you head out on the highway to avoid potential problems while you are driving. The experts at NJ Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center in Jersey City can perform routine maintenance and address any necessary repairs to ensure you're safe this Independence Day and all summer long.

As is the case with nearly everything, most drivers have a personal preference when it comes to their favorite automaker. Whether it be Ford, BMW or Toyota, there's always something about a certain manufacturer that draws people in, and a recent Harris Interactive poll found the most popular brands. After surveying 38,000 people, researchers found Honda and Mercedes-Benz stood above the rest.

Mercedes-Benz captured the title of Lead Luxury Auto Brand for the second year in a row, beating back a strong challenge from Lexus. Analysts point toward the brand's reputation for quality and craftsmanship as what makes it stand above the other luxury manufacturers. Cadillac, Acura and Infiniti also performed well.

"Mercedes has ranked at the top for two years in a row and four of the last eight years, while Lexus has made it to the top spot three times," said Mike Chadsey, senior consultant for Harris Interactive's Customer Relationship Consulting team. "BMW is also usually within the top three, with especially strong scores over the last three years."

While Mercedes-Benz earned praise in the luxury segment, it was Honda that won the coveted title of America's Favorite Full Line Automaker. The win was a surprise for Honda because it was up against some very stiff competition, but it still managed to jump over both Toyota and last year's winner Ford to claim the title.

Whether you prefer Ford, Honda or Mercedes-Benz, if you're looking for a used car in New Jersey, head to NJ Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there is something for drivers of all kinds.

It may not be something that crosses your mind every day, but when you find bird droppings on your car you might be enraged, disgusted, irritated or even amused. If you drive a crimson-colored car, you might encounter this problem more than if your vehicle were green or silver. As it turns out, red stands out most to birds when they are flying overhead and need to unload, according to a recent study conducted by Halfords in the U.K.

The researchers examined 1,140 cars and found crimson, blue and black were the most commonly pooped-upon vehicles, while green, silver and white were less desirable to winged creatures. Of the red cars in the study, 18 percent were marked, while 14 percent of blue cars, 11 percent of black, 7 percent of white, 3 percent of grey and silver and only 1 percent of green cars were targeted. The study revealed little variation depending on location, so drivers should take heed no matter where they live.

"This research does have a serious side because the problem annoys drivers, causes damage to paintwork and affects the value of vehicles," said David Howells, a car cleaning expert. "To protect your bodywork from damage, droppings should be carefully cleaned off as soon as possible."

If you're planning on purchasing a used car from New Jersey Auto Auction, you may want to think twice about what color you would prefer. If you don't mind scraping bird droppings off your car from time to time, feel free to indulge your desire for a cherry red car. Otherwise, you might want to take preventative action and buy something in a shade that birds won't want to deface.

No matter how affordable it may be, car repairs are something many drivers hope to avoid. Still, sometimes having to pay up for a fix is a necessity, but according to the CarMD.com, there are certain states where repairs are a bit more pricey.

Wyoming came in at number one. The website found that motorists paid around an average of $398 for car repairs – 17 percent more than the national average. Perhaps most significantly, drivers paid more for parts, an average of approximately $247.

Experts say the biggest contributing factor to Wyoming's place atop the rankings is the harsh weather and high altitudes that make driving a bit more treacherous. Additionally, since there are many remote locations it can cost more to get parts to each garage. The findings also highlight the importance of taking care of your car.

"With the higher cost for repairs in popular western vacation destinations, our data illustrates the need for summer travelers to make preventative maintenance and vehicle safety checks paramount in their road-trip preparation,"  said Art Jacobsen, vice president of CarMD.

Of course, Wyoming was not alone with being home to pricey car repairs. Utah landed in second place with an average of $378.54 per repair, while California was third-most expensive. Montana and Arizona rounded out the top five.

New Jersey was not included in the top five, so you should head to NJ State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center for your repairs and auto maintenance. This way, you'll be able to save money and help avoid any costly repairs down the line.

Christopher Nolan's theatrical interpretation of Batman, from the origin story of Batman Begins to The Dark Knight, has captivated moviegoers for years. The next installment of the Dark Knight storyline, The Dark Knight Rises, is set to premiere across America on July 20, and in anticipation of the movie's undoubted box office success Chrysler hitched itself to the film's rising star.

The American automaker recently released a commercial for the Chrysler 300 entitled "Imported from Gotham City," according to a blog post by Chrysler marketing chief Olivier Francois. The 60-second spot features a time-lapse video of a crew disassembling a 2012 Chrysler 300S and reassembling it with custom parts to create a superhero-worthy sedan. The new parts include matte black wheels and stealth body panels, and an advanced infotainment system from which the driver can program and control the weapons built in behind the grille. Of course, the 300S features a jet engine with a large flame-throwing exhaust similar to that of the Batmobile.

The entire commercial is set to a score written for The Dark Knight Rises, giving the commercial an epic overtone that feels like the commercial could easily be a part of the movie itself. Don't expect to see Batman behind the wheel of the 300S on the silver screen, however. While Mr. Wayne is likely going to spend much of the film behind the wheel of the Batwing, you can look forward to Catwoman cruising around in a Lamborghini Aventador. A few clips of the exotic car have found their way into the previews.

While the Batwing, the Batmobile and weapon-laden the Gotham City 300S may be out of reach for regular drivers, they can still feel like superheroes by purchasing used cars from New Jersey Auto Auction. Every vehicle on the dealer's lot is CARFAX certified, so drivers know they'll be leaving the lot in a reliable ride.

Most vehicles built in the last year or so have been rolling off the line with some form of infotainment system. This area of automotive technology is one of the fastest growing, but as automakers race to make their vehicles as modern and technologically advanced as possible, they are encountering a few snags along the way.

"Until recently, this type of sophisticated technology was found primarily on high-end models," said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power and Associates. "However, over the past few years, it has rapidly found its way into the automotive mainstream. For example, in 2012, more than 80 percent of owners indicate that their new vehicle has some form of hands-free technology."

J.D. Power and Associates recently released the results of the annual Initial Quality Study (IQS), and while overall scores have seen a 5 percent improvement, the onboard technology segment took a hit. In fact, in the 26 years the study has been conducted, this is the first time more problems were reported concerning navigation, audio and entertainment than any other area of car ownership.

When it came to hands-free technology, which is designed to reduce distractions behind the wheel, drivers reported these systems commonly fail to recognize commands. The rate of this problem has increased 137 percent in the past four years, making it the most prominent issue in the industry.

"As smartphones become ubiquitous in the lives of consumers and are ever-more sophisticated, expectations about the complementary technologies being offered in new models will only get higher," explained Sargent.

Drivers looking to buy used cars with infotainment systems, built-in navigation or other modern technology do have options. They can visit NJ Public Auto Auction, which carries a wide selection of makes and models, to find the car of their dreams.

As more automakers place an emphasis on improving gas mileage, some have turned to interesting tactics to reduce weight. One of the most popular methods is removing spare tires from new cars, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Taking away spare tires seems like a good idea, experts say. A temporary spare can weigh around 30 pounds, while a full-size spare and the tools that come with it can add 50 pounds to the total weight. When compared to around five or six pounds for the tire sealant kits manufacturers have replaced the tires with, the choice is obvious, especially when you consider reducing a car's weight by 10 percent can increase fuel economy by between 6 and 7 percent. Despite the advantages, there are some who are not sold on the idea.

"Engineers sweat bullets to reduce a car's weight by grams, and this is a way to shed 40 or 50 pounds," Bill Visnic, Edmunds.com senior editor and analyst, told the newspaper. "Not every customer is comfortable with it, though."

Statistics show the average drivers tends to get a flat tire once every 30,000 to 40,000 miles, and although some people may not be comfortable driving without a spare, as a whole drivers have become more confident thanks to improved tire quality and cell phones.

Having properly inflated tires will help remove some of the concern of getting a flat while out on the road. New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center can help give you peace of mind behind the wheel. Not only will its skilled technicians check your tires but they can take care of any other issues.