It just wouldn't be spring without hitting the open road, and with warm weather just around the corner, drivers may want to take time to get their cars ready for the increased travel. Ignoring some important issues could cause significant speed bumps later on, but paying close attention and performing routine maintenance will have you cruising with ease.

The first thing you should do it is make sure everything is tight. Cars have a surprising amount of components that can come loose, and the last things you want is your license plate flying off as you drive down the highway unaware. Additionally, some loose parts, like exhaust clamps, could interfere with how your car runs.

Anybody who has been stranded with a dead battery can tell you it's not fun, and if you're in the middle of a strange highway it can be even worse. To avoid such a fate, make sure you check your battery before the spring hits. In particular, look for corrosion in the terminals and cables, which can eat away at the battery's parts.

As a final step, you should take some time to inspect your windshield. A small crack from a pebble may have seemed insignificant in November, but thanks to the cold weather and several months' worth of wear and tear, it may have become much more noticeable and burdensome. You should make sure you have a clean line of sight before you take off any springtime road trip.

To be fully sure that your car is ready for whatever the road throws at it, you should visit New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center. Located in Jersey City and open to the public, its skilled mechanics can perform everything from routine maintenance to crucial repairs.

While many people select used cars with high gas mileage as a way to save money, others also do it to help the environment. But according to Cars.com, there are other ways to go green on the road than purchasing a hybrid vehicle, and the website recently offered a few tips on how to do so this spring.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when shopping for a fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly car is that a hybrid vehicle is not necessarily the best choice. That's because hybrid versions only mean they're fuel-efficient compared to that particular brand, and there could be a better conventional vehicle of a different brand.

In a similar vein, conventional cars have become especially fuel-efficient over the last several years due to rising demand. As a result, some traditional used cars may be the best bet to not only go green, but save some money.

"Not only is driving green good for the environment," said Joe Wiesenfelder, executive editor of Cars.com, "It can help you save a little green in the process. If you expand your definition of a 'green' car beyond just hybrid and electric vehicles, you can easily recognize some of the benefits of being more 'green' behind the wheel."

The website also highlights the importance of considering alternative fuels. Diesel and natural gas both have their merits, and many automakers have said they are trying to expand the cars they offer that run on such fuel.

Regardless of what route you choose to go green, New Jersey State Auto Auction will have you covered. With a wide variety of eco-friendly and fuel-efficient models at affordable prices, you'll be driving away in the perfect car.

Gas prices have been on a steady rise over the last few weeks, prompting many analysts to predict that consumers will place an even greater emphasis on fuel-efficiency when shopping for used cars. According to Kelley Blue Book's Hot Used Car Report for February, they hit the nail on the head.

The report, which measures the activity of used car shoppers on kbb.com, found there was an increase in the number of shoppers researching fuel-efficient vehicles last month. The growth in research of hybrid cars was at the top of the list. The segment experienced a 12.2 percent rise in the number of people looking into purchasing these fuel-efficient vehicles and it was significantly higher than the next-closest competitor.

February also saw an increase in the number of people researching compact cars, though to a lesser degree of hybrids. The segment had a 3.7 percent increase in shopping activity, while sports cars had a 2.8 percent rise. Minivans (2.7 percent) and subcompact cars (2.4 percent) rounded out the top five.

There was a decrease in the number of shoppers looking at mid-size crossovers, a usual favorite among drivers, which did not come as a surprise to some analysts.

"When the price at the pumps is at play, customers will stray," said Arthur Henry, a market analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

Doing research is an integral part of the used car shopping process, especially if you're looking to find one with the best gas mileage. New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of fuel-efficient models at affordable prices, and all their vehicles are CARFAX certified so you know you're getting a reliable product.

There has been growing competition among automakers to earn praise for their certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles, and that was on display recently at the 2012 IntelliChoice CPO awards in Las Vegas. The annual event highlights the best used cars in the market and in its 13 years has helped consumers drive away in more reliable vehicles, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The manufacturers themselves can benefit from coming out on top at the IntelliChoice awards, but some analysts say that it is drivers who come out as winners. Thanks to the increased competition among automakers, anybody shopping for a used car in the last several years has likely seen a growth in quality.

"We continue to see marginal year-over-year improvements in CPO program features across all makes, indicating that consumers can benefit from the ever-increasing competition in this market segment," Tyler Schulze, vice president and general manager of IntelliChoice told the Times.

Of course, there are some brands that stand out among the rest. One of the big surprises at the IntelliChoice awards recently was Hyundai. The manufacturer placed first in the "Popular Division," marking a vast improvement in its performance over the last several years. The big reason for its success is a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty that has resonated well with consumers. Other names in the top five included Volkswagen, Honda, Mini and Toyota.

Whether you're looking for a Hyundai or a used Ford, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the place to go. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there is something for everyone, and every car is CARFAX certified so you know you're getting a reliable vehicle in the process.

Anybody who's ever owned a car knows that it costs more than the price tag indicates. Between insurance, filling up at the pump and maintenance, sometimes people can be shocked at the overall cost of driving. However, there are certain cars that have a much lower cost of ownership than others, according to Kiplinger.com.

Many people may be turned off by the high initial price of hybrids, but that's not the case with the Honda Insight. A lot of the time people cite the fact that hybrids require a lot of maintenance, but with the Insight the total cost of five-year repairs and upkeep is only about $3,300. This is about the same as owning a gas-powered car. Throw in the fact that you'll save a great deal of money on gas and it turns out to be one of the most affordable cars on the road.

Kia has come a long way over the last few years in terms of reliability. Though their cars are just as affordable as ever, the brand's reputation has become a lot better. That is especially true with the Kia Rio, which is one of the cheapest cars to own, the website says. The total five-year cost of ownership comes out to under $30,000 thanks in large part to low fuel and insurance costs.

At the top of the list is the Nissan Versa. Thanks to a redesign and some top-of-the-line amenities, the Versa offers luxury at an affordable price, the website says. With a 36 mile-per-gallon fuel economy and low insurance rates, the five year cost sits at just over $27,000.

Though there are other things to consider, a low initial cost is still important. New Jersey State Auto Auction offers consumers a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices.