Why Do I Need To Rotate My Tires?

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Posted in How To

One of the biggest areas of disagreement among drivers is how frequently they should rotate their tires, or whether the practice is even necessary. Most experts will tell you, however, that not only is rotating your tires recommended but actually a very important part of auto maintenance. Still, there are a few things to go over when it comes to the routine procedure.

For those who are unaware, rotating a car's tires involves changing their position in the car. When you switch their places on the vehicle, it will spread the wear out evenly and allow you to hold on to the same tires for longer. Most manufacturers suggest rotating the tires at least every 8,000 to 15,000 miles.

According to Yahoo! Autos, there are some people who argue against the necessity of rotating tires in a front-wheel drive car. They say that, because the front tires suffer much more wear than the rear tires, you're better off simply replacing the front ones and leaving those in the back alone.

There's a significant counter to that argument. Mechanics say front tires may be worn out after about 50,000 to 60,000 miles of driving, but back tires could still have half of their life left in them. By rotating the tires, you'll be able to significantly extend their life to 70,000 or 80,000 miles.

Regardless of your school of thought on tire rotating, nobody disagrees on the importance of getting regular maintenance to keep your car running smoothly. New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center offers such services to the general public at affordable prices.

Man Named Buick Buys a Buick

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Posted in General Auto News

Unless you have a very literal vanity plate, it's not every day you can get behind the wheel of something with your name emblazoned on it. However, one Illinois resident has managed to do just that – and he didn't even have to change his plates. Giving into years of pressure, Kevin Buick recently traded in his old model to purchase a vehicle baring his namesake, according to General Motors.

The decision was not a hard one for Buick. The Sycamore, Illinois, attorney, felt it was time for him to trade in his Subaru Outback and he decided to pick up a Buick Verano, one of the manufacturer's latest models. While it is certainly not uncommon to see somebody named Ford, any Buicks out there are far and few between.

"With my name, I've been asked if I drive a Buick for as long as I remember," Kevin said. "But the cars were never right for me. The Verano, though, is truly perfect in every way that I ask of a car. It honestly feels like it was made just for me, so it’s amusing that I get to step over my name embossed in the sill plate every time I get into my car.

Perhaps most intriguing is that Buick's name actually can be traced back to the founder of the brand David Dunbar Buick, though he is a distant relative.

While you may not share your name with your favorite manufacturer, New Jersey State Auto Auction will make sure that you get a good deal on whatever car you choose. Each vehicle is CARFAX certified so you know you are getting a reliable automobile once you drive it out of the lot for the first time.

The Most Talked About Super Bowl Ads

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Posted in Auto Industry News

If you think the Super Bowl fanfare is over, you're wrong. Not only does last night's big event call for celebration in New York, but it lets Americans focus on all the commercials that were aired last night. Companies spend millions of dollars for a 30-second spot, and the automotive sector made sure it came out on top.

Although Chrysler went a different route its competitors' spots, it definitely packed a punch. The company is being praised for its "Halftime in America" spot, which aired during the Super Bowl's halftime, featuring the gritty voice of Clint Eastwood.

"This country can't be knocked out in one punch," Eastwood said in the commercial, according to the Christian Science Monitor. "We get right back up again, and when we do, the world will hear the roar of our engines. It's half time, America."

Trying to evoke nostalgia, Acura and Honda brought back old favorites. Matthew Broderick starred in Honda's commercial, reprising his role as Ferris Bueller. Throughout the ad, Broderick uses the redesigned CR-V as a replacement for the infamous Ferarri. Acura's ad featured Jerry Seinfeld, playing himself, trying to get the keys to the new NSX before anyone else. In order to persuade the dealer, Seinfeld offers him soup from the Soup Nazi.

Of course, plenty of advertisers made sure to focus on what sells – sex. According to Fox News, Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima was featured in the Kia commercial that didn't get to air in its entirety during the big game. The news provider reports that if viewers wanted to see more, they can log onto Kia's website in order to see a scantily clad Lima  waving a flag in slow motion for five hours.

Miley Cyrus Pays Cash for New Mercedes

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News

Although Miley Cyrus has not been in the public eye much since leaving Hannah Montana (minus some inappropriate photos that hit the internet), the girl still comes out of hiding once and a while to do a little shopping. Proving Hannah Montana provided her with a decent paycheck, Cyrus recently went to purchase a luxury car. As a gift to herself, Cyrus, 19, purchased a $127,000 Mercedes-Benz convertible, according to the New York Daily News.

The actress and singer paid in cash – because she can – for a white 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL550. Perhaps this was a way to draw different press. The news provider reports earlier that same week, Cyrus was photographed at her boyfriend's birthday party posing provocatively with a phallic cake.

TMZ reports that once the entertainer decided to purchase the vehicle, she wasted no time enjoying her new ride. The actress chose to drive the new Mercedes home that same day, but instead of turning in her used car, Cyrus had her bodyguard follow her back to her house in her old vehicle.

Maybe she was treating herself to a little get well present, as she tweeted earlier in the week that she injured herself while doing gymnastics.

"Cracked my tail bone doing a front flip … on to the couch. That's like when I tripped over a pillow and broke my arm," the singer tweeted, according to the news provider.

No one seems surprised that Cyrus decided to make such a lavish purchase, as the girl has always had a penchant for luxury vehicles. According to People Magazine, at age 16 Cyrus received a Porsche Cayenne for Christmas from her parents. Talk about a nice first car.

How Do I Keep My Car Running as Long as Possible?

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Posted in How To

Drivers are holding on to their cars longer than ever. In fact, the average age of a vehicle on the road is at an all time high of nearly 11 years old. Some motorists may not be aware of how to get the most out of their cars, however. Luckily, there are a number of small steps you can take to ensure your ride makes it to 10 years and beyond.

Taking fewer short trips can go a long way in extending the life of your car. It may not seem like it makes a difference, but according to Cars.com, trips of less than 10 minutes can take their toll on a vehicle. The reason is due largely to the fact that there's not enough time for the engine to get up to its operating temperature, which means some water may stay around in your engine and exhaust and cause rust. If short trips are a must, experts recommend changing your oil more frequently.

You should also try not to drive around with excess weight too often. If your car is carrying around a lot of heavy items that you don't need, it can cause significant wear and tear on crucial systems, Cars.com says. Additionally, you may want to take off anything that causes drag, like a roof rack or cargo carrier, when they're not in use.

Of course, making sure that you follow a regular maintenance schedule might be the most important thing that determines the life of your car. Simple procedures like getting the oil changed or getting new air filters may seem small, but it makes a big difference. Not only that, but if you take your car to a mechanic for regular upkeep, they may spot serious problems before they snowball.

New England, New York Differ on Cars as Well as Sports

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Posted in General Auto News

Though they are separated by only a little more than 200 miles, New York and Boston could not be more different. Whether it comes to sports allegiances or personality, the fierce rivalry between the two cities is alive and well. That will certainly be on display this weekend as the New York Giants take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 46. It turns out that their differing opinions also extend to the road and car buying habits in each region vary greatly.

The lifestyle choices of the two regions are definitely reflected in which cars they choose. According to TrueCar.com, New Englanders overwhelmingly chose small SUVs and other cars that value function over form. In fact, of the top 10 vehicles purchased in New England, four are SUVs. The findings make sense if you consider that New Englanders are more likely to prefer outdoor activities than their neighbors to the south.

As for New Yorkers, it's clear that they value luxury much more than New Englanders. The top 10 cars purchased by Empire State residents included mostly cars and only two SUVs, and luxury brands such as Mercedes, Acura and BMW are well represented.

While what kind of car each fan base prefers likely will not have an impact on what happens on Super Bowl Sunday, it certainly does say a bit about their driving habits. New York does have an edge on one thing, however – it's proximity to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The reliable dealer has a wide variety of makes and models, even those to suit the higher-end tastes of New Yorkers.

Auto Sales Off to Better-Than-Expected Start

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Posted in Auto Industry News

The auto industry had a great 2011 in terms of sales and after a strong January, it looks like 2012 might follow suit. Analysts found car sales rose 11 percent in January, which indicates Americans are starting to replace cars they held onto during the recession, Reuters reports.

The figures surprised most prognosticators who believed sales growth, if there was any, would have been modest at best. However, spurred by the popularity of Volkswagen and the rebound of longtime favorites like Toyota and Honda, the industry avoided its usual early-year slump.

"Normally you have a little bit of the December hangover," Al Castignetti, head of U.S. sales for Nissan brand, told the news agency. "January starts out very slow and you try to make the month in the last 10 days. The absolute opposite happened this year."

The strong beginning to the year has some experts rethinking their forecast for the year. Now, they think that there could be as many as 14.18 million vehicles sold in 2012.

There are a number of reasons for the sales growth. According to Reuters, one of them may be that gasoline prices, while still high, have remained relatively stable. Additionally, ABC News reports many people may be leaping at the opportunity to replace their rides with updated used cars, as the average age of cars on the road is nearly 11 years.

Whether you're looking to get in a used car because your current model is running on fumes or if you just want a change, New Jersey State Auto Auction has you covered. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there is something for everyone.

When Do I Need to Have My Brakes Checked?

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Posted in How To

There are few things more important to a car than its brakes. Having brakes that function properly is crucial to how your car drives but it also has an impact on safety. Despite the importance of the component, some people may not know when they have to get their brakes looked at and replaced. Luckily, there are a few signs that can tell you when it's time to have your car looked at.

It may seem difficult to know when you need a brake job. After all, there is no set mileage for when brake linings are worn down to the minimum level, and a lot can depend on how and where you drive your car. This makes paying close attention to subtle indicators that much more important.

One of the most obvious signs you need a brake job is if there is a squealing or grinding noise coming from your wheels when you apply the brakes. According to AOL Autos, the noise is actually caused by indicators put in place to tell you it's time to get new pads.

Having trouble accelerating can also be a symptom of a brake problem. In this case, the drag may be caused by the fact that emergency brake cables are frozen due to rust, which can be avoided by  regularly using it.

Pulling to one side should tip you off to an issue with your brakes. This can happen for a number of different reasons including having brakes that are adjusted incorrectly, leaking brake fluid or spilled oil or grease.

If you notice any of these indicators you may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center to get your brakes looked at.

Driver-In-Chief: Obama Checks Out Cars at Washington Auto Show

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News

The Washington Auto Show descended upon the nation's capital recently and it welcomed a well-known visitor. President Barack Obama stopped by the event on Tuesday to take a look at the flock of cars powered by alternative fuel and even sat behind the wheel of several vehicles, The Washington Post reports.

The appearance was unusual in that Obama's presence was relatively subdued. Instead of taking questions, giving a speech or talking with voters, he simply examined the cars that were on display. It's not surprising that Obama wanted to investigate the eco-friendly cars, given that going green has been a fairly significant part of his platform. Among the cars he looked at was the electric Chevy Volt, which has created substantial buzz in the auto industry.

"He was mainly interested in what are my greatest challenges in designing these vehicles," General Motors president of global design Ed Welburn told the newspaper. "I always want to raise the level of execution and design something that’s profitable."

The Volt may have been the most high-profile car that got Obama's attention but it certainly was not the only one. According to USA Today, he stepped behind the wheel of seven cars including hotly-anticipated fuel efficient rides such as the Ford C-Max Energi plug-in electric and the Chevrolet Malibu Eco. However, he also took time to check out a few classics including a Corvette and the Dodge Ram.

You don't have to the Commander-in-Chief to find a good deal on a used car at New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there is something for everyone.

What’s The Deal With This Acura Super Bowl Ad?

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News

It's no secret that Jerry Seinfeld loves cars. In fact, he may be second only to talk show host Jay Leno in terms of celebrity auto enthusiasts. So it likely comes as no surprise that Seinfeld is appearing in a Super Bowl ad, but what is a bit of a shock is the brand he is appearing for. The stand-up legend is featured in the recently-released ad for Acura, a stark change given his well-known affinity for Porsche products.

The 90-second spot places Jerry in an Acura dealer in line to get the much-anticipated NSX. He wants to be the first to have the sleek concept car, but unfortunately finds himself in the number two spot behind another lucky, and stubborn, shopper. Not to be denied, Seinfeld pulls out all the stops to try to bribe the car away from his rival. He seems to finally have it until he is thwarted at the last second by a surprise guest.

It's understandable that Seinfeld would want to be the first behind the wheel of the NSX. The impressive ride made it's debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, and according to Motor Trend, it was quite a sight to behold.

The NSX has not been in the North American market since 2005, but it is back and better than ever. The V-6 engine is augmented with three electric motors which give drivers the ability to power each wheel individually. Despite the impressive features, the car is still three years away from an official release.

Seinfeld is not the only big name celebrity to already throw his hat in the Super Bowl ad ring. Earlier this week, Honda released its Ferris Bueller spoof featuring Ferris himself – Matthew Broderick.