What to check when dusting off an idle car

By
Posted in How To

Any number of conditions can leave you driving a car that has not been used for months, or even years, at a time. While it may not have any outwardly noticeable problems, the mere fact that it hasn't been driven in such a long time can cause complications. According to The Globe and Mail, there area few things you should do to ensure that your car can get back on the road and operate smoothly.

First and foremost you should check on the fluid. Depending on how long your car has been sitting idle, everything from transmission fluid to wiper fluid may need to be changed and checked for leaks. A quick inspection by a mechanic can reveal any shortcomings.

As is the case with any car, safety should not be overlooked in one that has been sitting around for a while. Experts suggest checking the tires first to make sure that they are properly inflated and that their tread has not been compromised from lack of use.

According to the news source, you should also make sure that rust has not made its way into the exhaust system. This can cause a clog, which will make your car run less smoothly. To check this, experts suggest plugging the tailpipe with a cloth rag while the engine is running (wearing gloves for protection) and if if gases are trying to get around the rag, it is probably fine, but if they are coming from elsewhere it indicates a leak.

If you have a car that has been sitting idle for a significant period of time you may want to take it to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers total car care to the general public, whether it be a simple repair or regular maintenance.

Ford F-150 tops list of best selling cars for 2011

By
Posted in Auto Brands News, Ford

Though the year is not yet over, the early results are in and car manufacturers have seen their best year in terms of sales since 2008. There were a few models that stood out above the rest and according to Forbes, American-made cars had a great deal of success in 2011. In fact, six of the 10 most popular models this year were made by either General Motors, Ford or Chrysler, a stark difference to last year when American-made cars represented just three of the top 10.

For the second year in a row, the best selling car of 2011 so far has been the Ford F-150. Though it has always been popular, the F-150 may have benefited in recent years thanks to Ford's push to make it more fuel-efficient. Coming in at number two behind Ford was the Chevrolet Silverado, which also had the same standing last year.

Though American-made cars took the top two spots, the Toyota Camry landed in third, making it the most popular passenger car. A longstanding favorite among American consumers, the Camry remained in the top five despite sliding numbers and having to contend with the devastating earthquake that rocked Japan and slowed production. With a redesign coming in 2012, it is likely to retain its spot for the time being.
The Ford Escape also made an appearance on the list at number five, signaling the American driver's need to find a more fuel-efficient SUV. The mid-size favorite is also in line for a redesign in 2012, the publication reports. Other highlights on the list were Ford Fusion (number six) and the Chevrolet Cruze at number nine.

Whether you're looking for a truck, a fuel-efficient SUV or a family car, New Jersey State Auto Auction has everything you need. All makes and models are Carfax certified so you know you will be driving away with a reliable vehicle.

How to stop your car from depreciating in value

By
Posted in How To

Whether you're looking to sell your car yourself or trade it in at a later date, maintaining the resale value of your vehicleis very important. Experts say that an automobile's depreciation in value is one of the biggest expenses that car owners incur, and over the first five years of ownership it may lose 35 percent of its value. Still, that does not mean there aren't ways to stave off the depreciation of your ride, and Jacksonville news channel WJXT recently shared a few tips on how to do so.

One of the best ways to ensure that the resale value remains high is to keep stringent records of all the maintenance the vehicle received. This way when you decide to sell your car, be it to an individual or to a dealer, you can show them just how well you've taken care of it over the years.

In a similar vein, you'll want to be sure that you do provide all the maintenance that it needs. New Jersey State Auto auction offers full car service to the general public so drivers can be sure their car is running at its best and will do the same for its next owner.

Though maintenance is important, so is the look of the car. It might run smoothly, but if its outward appearance is shabby chances are you won't get top dollar for it. According to the news channel, you should make sure to perform all the routine upkeep including vacuuming the seats, regularly washing it and making sure nobody smokes inside it.

As a final proviso, the news source recommends resisting the urge to customize it. While it might seem like a personalized paint job or stereo boosts its appeal to you, chances are this may not lure in consumers.

Be on the lookout for flood-damaged cars after Hurricane Irene

By
Posted in Auto Industry News

Hurricane Irene brought a swath of destruction as it made its way up the East Coast this summer, and while the power outages and flooding were certainly some of the biggest stories to come out of the storm, it may have also made a big impact on used cars. According to InsuranceJournal.com, consumers should be wary of flood-damaged cars that are making their way into the market.

Cars damaged by flood water are often much cheaper than vehicles that have not sustained similar damage, but they present a number of issues that make the discounted price not entirely worth it. In addition to costly repairs, the compromised car could also be the cause of a life threatening accident.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that this August (when Irene hit) showed a surprisingly high number of flood-related vehicle claims with 11,789 reports filed. To put that in perspective, there were just 994 claims in August 2010.

According to the news source, there are a number of ways that you can avoid unknowingly purchasing a flood-damaged car. While you're inspecting your prospective purchase you should be sure to be on the lookout for any tell-tale signs of water damage – including stains, mildew, sand and silt. Additionally, rusty screws on the console area can be a dead giveaway.

Perhaps most important of all, however, is turning to a dealer that you can trust. Sellers are supposed to disclose information such as flood damage to ensure that you can make an informed decision.

Consumers need not worry if they head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, all cars, trucks and SUVs are Carfax certified so you know you're getting an accurate history about the vehicle you purchase, many of which are lower than Kelley Blue Book value.

Emergency kit, tire pressure top a car’s winter necessities

By
Posted in General Auto News

As millions of people in the Northeast can attest after last week's October snowstorm, winter is fast approaching. And while there are plenty of things to do around the house to get ready for the blustery winds, mountains of snow and sub-freezing temperatures, there are just as many precautions to take when readying your car for the days ahead. By performing some routine maintenance on your ride before Jack Frost makes a permament appearance you'll save money and time later on.

There are a number of things you can do yourself to make sure your car can make it through the coming months, one of them being checking your tire pressure. Losing pressure can significantly lessen the grip your car has on icy roads and, according to MSNBC, the pressure can drop by one pound per square inch whenever the temperature drops by 10 degrees, so you should stay on top of it.

More than ever you'll want be to be sure to equip your car with an emergency kit. According to the news source, this should include the usual necessities like a tool kit, jumper cables and tire changing equipment but for the winter it should also have items like blankets, coats and gloves.

The best way to make sure that your car is prepared for the treacherous months ahead is to get it inspected by a professional to make sure all its components are up to snuff. In particular, tire treads, fluid levels and battery life are all of the utmost importance.

New Jersey State Auto Auction offers drivers with a full-service car car center that is open to the public. Located in Jersey City, the center provides you with everything you need for the winter including oil changes and new battery installation.

Fuel-efficient Chevrolet Cruze surprises analysts

By
Posted in Auto Brands News, Chevrolet

It may be one of the most famous American-made cars brands, but analysts were skeptical about how well its newest car, the Chevrolet Cruze, would sell upon its release. The early returns are in and it looks like the doubts were unfounded. The Cruze compact ranked 10th among sales of all cars in its first 12 months, USA Today reports.

Although some were skeptical about whether or not the tiny Cruze would be a hit with American consumers, General Motors North America President Mark Reuss was not among them. The car had been a hit in other places across the globe so it seemed like a good fit in the United States as well.

"Everywhere in the world where we launched the car, it just took off. So we knew the hardware was really good," Chevrolet sales chief Alan Batey, who worked with Reuss in Australia, told the publication. "Mark passionately felt that if ever there was a chance to establish ourselves in the small-car market, this was it."

The reason for its success can be tied largely to the fact that it is among the most fuel-efficient cars on the road. Specifically, the Environmental Protection Agency has said that it can enjoy up to 42 miles per gallon on the highway all while remaining affordable at under $17,500, and in an uncertain economy both factors cannot be understated.

While you may not be looking to get behind the wheel of a new car, there are plenty of excellent used choices that are fuel-efficient as well. The Ford Fiesta, for instance, has proven to be especially wallet-friendly when it comes to the pump and gets 40 miles per gallon on the highway. New Jersey Auto Auction offers consumers with a wide variety of choices of used cars all for affordable prices.

SEMA show highlights the week in auto news

By
Posted in General Auto News

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show came to Las Vegas this week, and the event dominated the week in automotive news. The four-day convention attracted several of the world's most popular manufacturers who debuted some new and improved versions of their vehicles.

• Among the most talked-about exhibits at the event was when Honda unveiled some new specs for its Civic coupe, according to USA Today. The company debuted a new version of the car that included a dealer-installed body kit – which featured a new aerodynamic appearance, a lower body and 18-inch wheels. Honda hopes that this will re-invigorate waning interest in the model.

"The Honda Civic was instrumental in the first import-tuner movement in the U.S. during the '80s," Bruce Smith, a Honda vice president, told the publication. "The all-new Civic Si builds on that proud history by offering inspiring performance, improved fuel economy and a great platform for personalization."

• Ford was one of the standout companies that made their way to the SEMA show. In fact, Motor Trend reports that the auto manufacturer had some of the most intriguing cars on the showroom floor. Ford debuted a custom F-350 Super Duty, which was built by Superlift Suspensions to resemble a Matchbox car.

The publication singled out a few of its more enticing features including its bold orange paint job – complete with black and yellow bumpers on the grill – and a heavy-duty roll cage. The F-350 likely brought almost all of the attendees' childhood dreams to life.

• It would not be the SEMA show without some celebrities stopping by and this year's event certainly did not disappoint. Motocross Ricky Carmichael helped kick off the event when he debuted a cutom-built Chevrolet Sonic, which he helped design. According to USA Today, the black and green compact was built to include places to put a wakeboard, mountain bike and other gear.

Carmichael was not the only celebrity to have an impact on the show, however. Reality TV star Jesse James, who is no stranger to customizing cars and motorcycles, made an appearance as well. He was there in part to discuss a series of new racing videos he's releasing, the Las Vegas Sun reports.

Now is a great time to buy a used car

By
Posted in Auto Industry News

As the year winds down it becomes a great time to buy new cars, and recent statistics show that used car prices are on the way down as well. A study by CarGurus found that the average price of a used car is around $19,278, down 0.88 percent from September and 1.7 percent from August.

The findings are certainly good news for consumers, who have been plagued by somewhat high used car prices over the last several months. Though it is a bit above where it was at this time last year, any decline in price can't be a bad thing.

"With prices less erratic and demand expected to drop further as winter approaches, consumers should be in a better position to gain clarity on market values and negotiate with dealers," said Langley Steinert, the CEO of CarGurus.

Although prices are trending downward that doesn't mean that you shouldn't still try to get the best offer possible. According to Consumer Reports, one of the best things you can do to ensure you get a good deal is to be familiar with the value of the car you're interested in ahead of time. By checking a number of sources you'll be better equipped to tell if you're getting a fair offer.

Also, you should be sure to be familiar with your trade-in value. There are plenty of easy ways to determine the number, but New Jersey State Auto Auction offers one of the quickest. The company is an authorized AutoTrader.com Trade In Marketplace dealership, and you can check the value of your car in a matter of seconds.

Stay on top of maintenance before Thanksgiving road trips

By
Posted in General Auto News

Thanksgiving often serves as the unofficial beginning of the holiday season and brings with it an influx of cars on the road as drivers pack up to spend time with their families. But while a recent Allstate survey found that 45 percent of Americans plan on taking a road trip of more than two hours this year, many are unprepared for the dangers they may encounter.

The biggest disconnect the study revealed was that although most drivers have experienced at least four instances of a disabled vehicle, 84 percent of respondents said that they didn't think they would run into any snags this year due to mechanical problems or other issues.

Some mechanical accidents and other potential delay-causing problem are unavoidable but performing regular maintainance can drastically reduce your chances of encountering a completely preventable issue, and according to Allstate, the statistics back it up.

The company's study, which polled about 1,000 drivers over the age of 18, found that the 63 percent of respondents who are on top of routine maintenance experienced an average of 3.7 occurrences of a disabled vehicle, while those who didn't take care of their vehicles regularly encountered an average of 5.7 breakdowns. Conscientious drivers were also significantly less likely to have a dead battery, run out of gas or have their car not start.

If you're getting ready for a road trip this holiday season you may want to make sure your car has had all it's routine maintenance performed. New Jersey State Auto Auction provides drivers with a total car care center located in Jersey City that can perform everything from auto repair to regular check ups. 

Signs your car may be on its last legs

By
Posted in General Auto News

Due to the struggling economy, most drivers are holding on to their cars longer than ever before. In fact, a recent survey conducted by DriverSide.com found that around 82 percent of people are planning on keeping their rides longer.

While there are a number of ways to extend the life of your car through regular maintenance and upkeep, sometimes you have to know when its reached its limit. According to Jacksonville's WJXT, there are a few tell-tale signs that it may be time to get behind the wheel of a new or used car.

Among the most distressing signs your ride may be on its last legs is that it's burning through oil. There are a few easy ways to tell if you have this problem but if you notice that your car is using up a lot of oil (about a quarter a week) and there's no puddle underneath it in your driveway or garage you have a problem.

"The oil is just burning it up because the engine is tired and it's not tight anymore," industry expert Mark Larsen told the news channel. "It could be the rings or the valve seals could be so hard that they just can't hold the oil anymore. It tends to be expensive [to fix]."

Any significant transmission problems may mean it's time to get a different car as well. According to the news source, a typical transmission replacement can cost you anywhere from $2,500 to $3,000, so if you notice your car slipping when it shifts gears it might mean you need a new ride.

New Jersey State Auto Auction has a wide selection of cars available at affordable prices to anybody looking to replace their worn out model.