While teenage drivers are universally eager to hit the highway, their parents are often pretty hesitant to hand over the keys. Allowing your children to get behind the wheel can be a nerve-wracking experience, but sliding into the passenger side doesn't have to be a cause for panic. Here are five useful tips that will help keep your teen drivers – and you – safe and stress-free.

1. Consider safe driving courses
Sure, a typical driver's education course can prepare teens for the basics of the road. They learn fundamental techniques like using turn signals, parallel parking, backing up and making three-point turns. What they don't really gain from one of these standard classes, however, are the skills and knowledge required to act safely in case of emergencies.

Safe driving courses, which are offered outside of the required guidelines for earning licenses, can be great supplements to basic classes. Not only do these focused courses teach young drivers how to deal with all the obstacles of the road, but they also give them extra supervised experience behind the wheel. Esurance reported that inexperience is a leading cause behind car accidents, so providing teens with supplemental training can go a long way toward making them safe and effective drivers.

2. Put down the phone
It's no secret that teenagers love to be on their smartphones – even when they should be focusing on something else. But while sneaking a peek at their screens during class might only result in detention, glancing at their phones while they're behind the wheel could have far more serious consequences. Not only is using cell phones while driving illegal in many states, but checking a device while operating a vehicle can result in a fatal crash.

You should not only enforce a strict "no looking at your device while driving" rule with your teenagers, but you should prohibit hands-free phone usage as well. While having a conversation on speakerphone might keep teens' eyes and hands free, their brains are still being distracted from the road. Because new drivers need to be focused and on high alert while learning the rules of the road, it's best that parents set rigorous guidelines about avoiding potentially dangerous diversions.

3. Pick the safest vehicle
Of course, teen drivers should only be taking to the streets in safe and efficient vehicles. Most parents, however, are extremely hesitant to drop big bucks on brand new models for their novice drivers. After all, any driver's first set of wheels is bound to endure some bumps and bruises. The good news is that there are many used cars with great safety ratings – and even better prices. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, these are the some of the safest used car models for teenage drivers:

• Honda Accord
• Volvo S80
• Subaru Forester
• Kia Sorento
• Chevrolet Traverse
• Toyota Tundra Double Cab.

While your first car may have been one fender-bender away from the junkyard, you shouldn't allow your teens to operate any vehicles that aren't in good shape. Esurance advised that you purchase the safest vehicle you can afford to reduce your teens' chances of being harmed in an accident.

Set ground rules with your teens before they hit the road.

4. Divide the costs
If teens don't have any incentive to take care of their vehicles, they might be more willing to make risky choices when it comes to driving and parking. After all, trying to squeeze into that questionably tiny spot sounds a lot more appealing when you aren't going to be paying for the broken mirror. Because of this, parents should consider splitting some car-related costs with their teenagers.

Sit down together and map out your teens' driving budgets, including everything from car payments to gas refills. Decide which costs can be covered by the kids, and which payments you'll make. You should also discuss who will pay for repairs or new parts in the event of an accident.

5. Restrict night driving
New drivers face enough obstacles in broad daylight, and their challenges only increase when the sun goes down. According to Consumer Reports, 17 percent of teenage driving fatalities took place between 9 p.m. and midnight, while 24 percent happened between midnight and 6 a.m. Novice drivers aren't as familiar with being on the road, so they may become confused and distracted when they can't clearly see their surroundings. Driving late at night can also increase the risk of falling asleep at the wheel, which can result in serious accidents.

Allow your young drivers to gain experience during the day and early evening. When they've had their licenses for a decent amount of time, let them practice night driving with an experienced adult in the car. Easing them into operating a vehicle after hours will make them safer and more aware.

Winter driving can be hazardous enough without having to worry about not being able to see. You can't control ice, snow and other winter precipitation, but you can at least ensure that if you do encounter adverse weather conditions, you're prepared to deal with them safely.

Your windshield performs an essential function during periods of winter driving. It keeps you warm and dry, but it's also a key part of road safety. Without clear visibility, driving in snow, sleet or ice becomes much more dangerous. But if you haven't given much thought to maintaining your windshield, you're not alone. It's a part of car ownership that many don't think about until a problem arises. This winter, head off potential problems by keeping your windshield clean and well maintained. 

Make sure your wiper blades are changed regularly and the arms are kept clear of debris.

The wipers
Windshield wipers are of arguable utility when ice and heavy snow are common, but they're still an important safety feature and you should keep them running as smoothly as possible. Winter can be a particularly challenging time for windshield wipers. Not only does ice that builds up on your windshield strain the capabilities of your wipers, but snow and other winter precipitation can pile on top of the wipers themselves, creating maintenance issues if you don't pay attention.

Keep the wipers operating for as long as possible by cleaning any snow or ice off of your windshield. It's not enough to clear the windshield enough for basic visibility – you want to make sure the wiper arms themselves can move freely without being obstructed or weighed down by precipitation. In terms of the blades, you'll want to change them every year or couple thousand miles, and there are some telltale signs that your blades need changing. If your wipers streak, squeak or skip, these are all signs that the blades have worn down too much to be useful and you need new ones.

Even if the blades are in good condition, inspect the wiper arms regularly for signs of damage. Corrosion of the plastic or broken joints are both reasons to have your wiper arms replaced as soon as you can. Also worth noting: The rubber on your wiper blades can freeze in extreme temperatures, hardening it and making it less effective. Check your wipers on cold days to ensure the rubber is still soft and pliable.

The fluid
You probably don't spend too much time thinking about your windshield wiper fluid, but it's important to pay particular attention to this component in the winter. Snow, ice and salt can all wreak havoc on your visibility, especially if allowed to freeze overnight or sit on your windshield for days on end.

One important thing to note is that depending on which part of the country you live in, you may actually need to change your washer fluid when winter hits. According to Autybytel, summertime washer fluid tends to contain a much lower alcohol concentration than those fluids that are designed for winter use. As a result, if you don't swap out your fluid for a winter-approved variety, there's a much higher chance that it can actually freeze in your tank, at best rendering it useless and at worst creating additional maintenance problems.

The glass
It goes without saying that you shouldn't have any cracks, dings, divots or other nuisance damage spots in your windshield. Not only can these small imperfections compromise the integrity of the windshield itself, but cracks can cause their own visibility problems. The beginning of winter is a good time for an overall maintenance overhaul to your car, and you should include the windshield in this endeavor.

Once you've repaired any cracks or dings, focus your attention on ensuring the windshield stays clean. Water and salt can lead to a buildup of residue that can make it hard to see through the glass. If your washer fluid is designed for winter use, you can count on your wipers to keep the outside of your windshield clean, but don't forget about the inside. Regularly wipe down the interior or your windshield with streak-free glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth.

Your wipers can keep the glass clean, but they won't remove any physical obstructions. Leaves, twigs and other seasonal detritus can accumulate at the base of your windshield. If left unchecked, they can obstruct the path of your wipers, causing them to break down. Leaves and twigs can also block the airflow into your engine, creating larger maintenance problems down the road as well.

If you're in the market for a quality pre-owned vehicle, head to NJ State Auto Auction. With hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot and a qualified and helpful in-house finance department, you can be confident you'll drive away in the right car for you.

Before you can treat yourself to a brand new ride or make good on your intention to buy a sensible, reliable vehicle that fits you needs, you first have to sell the car you currently have. Even if it seems like a triviality, you shouldn't approach this step lightly. After all, failing to sell your existing car in a reasonable amount of time – or for the price you were hoping for or expecting – can seriously hamper your plans to buy a new vehicle.

Keep in mind that you'll need to put as much work into selling your car as you will shopping for and buying the next one. Regardless of whether you choose to sell it independently or attempt to trade it in through a dealer, you'll need to consider many factors – financial, automotive and otherwise – if you want the best result.

Don't expect to sell a convertible quickly if it looks like this outside.

Timing is everything
You may not think of cars as a seasonal item, but the reality is that they are. At the very least, the time of year you choose to sell your car may impact the response that you get. For example, according to Edmunds, convertibles and sports cars are purchased almost exclusively during the spring and summer – you can imagine how hard it would be to sell an open-topped car when the temperature outside is below freezing.

Keep it local
While it's true that listing your car online can potentially attract a much larger number of prospective buyers, the risk may not be worth the potential benefit. Kelley Blue Book noted that sellers who deal with out-of-state buyers run the risk of fraudulent activities, such as bad checks. In an ideal scenario, you should accompany your buyer to his or her bank and receive the cashier's check along with them. That way you can be completely assured that you'll receive the payment on time. This may be necessary in some cases, as some banks will want to visually appraise the car before authorizing the withdrawal.

Have the paperwork ready to go
It's likely that your own upcoming car purchase hinges on the sale of your current car. That said, you'll want to reduce the amount of time the transaction takes to complete as much as possible. When you list your car, take the opportunity to get the paperwork together. Keep it in a folder so you can keep track of it. That way, you'll be able to sell the car on the spot if the right situation arises. The Department of Motor Vehicles suggested a list of documents to assemble when selling your car, which includes:

• Vehicle title
• Maintenance records
• Bill of sale
• Release of liability
• Warranty documents
• As-is documentation.

Advertise
It stands to reason that if you want to sell your car, you need to make sure people know it's available to buy. Advertising your car can be tricky, especially if you aren't used to selling things independently. Fortunately, there are a number of websites and classifieds specifically geared toward people trying to sell things – and some that are just for those selling automobiles. Sites like Autotrader and Cars.com are popular boards that let you post your car for a small fee. Don't overlook more general avenues though, such as Craigslist and even eBay. If your car has been on the market for some time and you find you aren't getting the response you had hoped for, the problem may be that you aren't advertising aggressively enough. This is where selling through a dealer can be helpful, as they will take care of the whole process for you up front.

If you have a used car you'd like to sell, or are shopping for a pre-owned vehicle of your own, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a helpful in-house finance department to help you get approved for a loan. 

Of all the safe winter driving tips you've heard, chances are the biggest one that you encounter most often is to swap your all-weather radials for snow tires. But if money is tight or you don't want to make a trip to your mechanic's garage, consider these basic facts on snow tires and why they're so important.

Don't let the name fool you: All-weather tires aren't great in the snow.

What makes snow tires different?
You may have seen some people forego winter tires and instead just wrap their all-weather radials in chains. While this can help maintain traction, this measure isn't nearly as effective as a good set of winter tires. The two main conditions snow tires are designed to withstand are icy roads and extremely cold temperatures. They are made out of a softer rubber, which means that they can grip the road more easily. Another side effect of the softer rubber is that the tires don't freeze and harden as quickly as all-weather radials do. When the tire rubber hardens, it significantly compromises your traction.

"But they're called 'all-weather' tires…"
One of the most common objections to snow tires is that they're unnecessary if you already have all-weather radials on your car. But despite the name, these standard-issue tires aren't the any-condition superstars they claim to be. In fact, according to Edmunds, all-weather radials are a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none ordeal. They tend to work well in wet conditions, but they won't provide the level of safety you need in the snow and ice, or even the freezing cold. In fact, it's impossible for a tire to be truly "all-weather." Outside temperatures cause the rubber in the tires to expand or contract, and can change the hardness and pliability of the tire. This is why tires that work great in summer aren't good for winter.

What about my traction assist system?
Many newer cars are equipped with a tracking assist feature that can be activated from the dashboard by the push of a button. These systems are good additional safety measures, but they aren't a replacement for proper tires, especially in the winter. Most tracking assist systems work by electronically limiting the amount of power your car can exert on your tires, preventing you from turning too hard and losing traction. However, tracking assist does nothing to improve the grip of your tires themselves. Even with this modern safety feature, it's still possible to lose control of your car through hard turns.

OK, so I'll compromise and get two winter tires
People who want to straddle the line between safety and frugality sometimes decide to buy two winter tires instead of a full set, under the assumption that the added traction on the front or rear wheels, depending on how your car's drive system works, can be similarly effective. Not only is this a misconception, it's incredibly dangerous. Having two snow tires and two all-weather radials on your car results in your front and rear axles experiencing different grips on the road, which can make it nearly impossible to control your car. If your rear tires are receiving the extra traction, you won't be able to steer nearly as effectively with the poorer traction on the front wheels. If you decide to put snow tires just on the front, you run a high risk of fishtailing.

If you're shopping for a high-quality used car to see you through the winter, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a helpful in-house financing department to assist you with loan approvals.

Hear that? Christmas is just around the corner. Time to do a quick mental calculation and figure out if you're going to end up on the naughty or the nice list. Get in your last-minute good deeds now, because there are a number of items car-lovers are definitely going to want on their list this year.

Gadgets have been integrated into almost every aspect of car ownership and driving. They do everything from help your vehicle run better to keep you and your passengers more effectively entertained. Here are some of the coolest car gadgets – just be sure to leave some extra cookies and milk out for Santa.

Remote starters
Who hasn't wished they could start their car while they're finishing breakfast, giving the heat time to kick in so you can climb into a cozy ride for your morning commute? Remote starters have been a popular gadget for years, and the market seems to be exploding. The big name in this sector is Viper, a company that has manufactured an array of remote starters at varying price points depending on your budget and which features you want. For around $200, you can pick up a system that will let you start your car remotely from up to a mile away.

This technology has even been updated for the digital age. Viper recently launched its SmartStart app. This program integrates with a remote starter to let you control it directly from your smartphone.

On-board Wi-Fi lets you bring the Internet with you, wherever you go.

In-car Wi-Fi
Mobile technology has become so ubiquitous that Wi-Fi hotspots have begun cropping up in public places and businesses to accommodate a convenience-happy customer base. Even airlines have begun providing wireless connectivity in mid-flight, so it stands to reason that car manufacturers would follow suit.

Audi became the first to offer Wi-Fi in its vehicles, and in 2011, the manufacturer teamed up with telecommunications provider AT&T for faster and more reliable service. Since then, other manufacturers have followed suit. Autonet Mobile is making a splash as a provider of aftermarket mobile modems that can be installed in any car to create a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Autonet router retails for $345, and users can buy data packages of 1 gigabyte per month for $29.99 or 5 GB per month at $59.99.

Window washers
You're proud of your car, and you want to keep it looking its best. That can be especially hard to do in the winter when snow, ice and salt can wreak absolute havoc on your windshield. It may seem like a small thing, but a portable window-washer can make keeping your car clean so much easier. The tiny Karcher WV2 Window Vac is a battery-powered window cleaner that not only lets you clean your windows whenever you need to, but to do so quickly and effectively too.

The WV2 runs off of a rechargeable battery. It works by using suction to pull in dirt, water and cleaning solution from your windows for a one-swipe cleaning job. The battery lasts for around 25 minutes on a single charge.

Portable jump-starter
Winter driving is stressful enough without having to worry about dealing with a dead battery in the middle of a snowstorm or deep freeze. Even though you're careful to pay attention to your interior lights and other battery-draining features, mistakes can still happen. A portable jump-starter can grant you an extra bit of peace of mind in the winter months.

The Stanley Portable Jump-Starter can provide you with 500 amps of power – enough to get your vehicle back on the road in an emergency situation. With its included air compressor providing 120 p.s.i., this device can even serve as an all-around safety must-have.

Digital diagnostic indicator
Believe it or not, your car talks back to you – you just have to know how to understand what it's saying. A digital diagnostic readout can help you interpret common alerts, like the infamous check-engine light, so you know what you're dealing with. Some models, like the CarMD that retails for $70, can even connect you to a website to help explain what the diagnostic codes mean. It even provides model-specific suggestions based on your circumstances.

If you want to give the gift of a high-quality used car this year, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, and the friendly and helpful staff are always on hand to help you select the vehicle that's right for you.

Christmas is more than presents and a big family dinner. There's something about this time of year that sets it completely apart from the other 11 months. Of course, that may also just be the Christmas lights.

Holiday decorating is almost as big a tradition in the U.S. as gift-giving is, and it's easy to see why. A creatively-lit house or cozy-looking suburban footpath can instantly transform people from the world of their mundane concerns to one of seasonal magic and enjoyment. In fact, driving around to spot lights, holly, decorations and snowy courtyards is a favorite pastime for many families. If you can't seem to deck the halls hard enough and want to hit the road to see the merriest cities in the country, keep these destinations in mind.

Washington, D.C.
It should really come as no surprise that the nation's capital is a city to reckon with when it comes to spreading holiday cheer. While the townhouses and iconic brownstones of D.C. itself may very well house residents who like to go all out with lights, the real appeal can be found at the Smithsonian. Each year, the National Zoo holds its Zoolights festival – an aptly named celebration that combines the radiant joy of holiday decorating with the fascination of the animal kingdom. Some 500,000 LED lights adorn the zoo, and light the way for visitors who want to take a ride on a solar-powered carousel or visit the nocturnal animal exhibits.

Aspen is one of the most festive cities in the country.

Aspen, Colorado
Santa is hands down the biggest celebrity of the season, but with his famous workshop sitting way up at the North Pole, chances to visit his wintry home aren't exactly frequent. Fortunately, travelers can see the next best thing: Aspen, Colorado. The skiing resort town has an undeniable charm to it that just screams holiday spirit during the winter. Walking along the snow-covered and lantern-lit Cooper Ave. is like taking a step back in time. But don't lose yourself in too much thought, or you may miss out on the many cookie exchanges and public s'mores roasts. When you're finished taking in the crisp Colorado air, you can retire to the Hotel Jerome, which regularly hosts carolers in its lobby.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Christmas and Macy's department stores go together like milk and cookies left out for Santa. But while Macy's has many stores all over the country, you could argue that "the" Macy's is in Philadelphia. Since 1956, Macy's has offered its famous Christmas Light Show to guests, who are treated to a 100,000-LED spectacle that spans four stories. Christmas trees, reindeer, ballerinas and toy soldiers all make appearances as the show walks viewers through a delightful Christmas tale narrated by Julie Andrews. The show ends with a bang – or rather, with the 287-ton Wanamaker Organ playing its rendition of "O Tannenbaum."

Richmond, Virginia
Some people love Christmas lights, while others may find them garish and tasteless. It turns out that many of the residents of Virginia's capital take both stances. Every year, the city hosts its Tacky Lights Festival, which has been running for 26 years. The Richmond Times-Dispatch publishes a list of some of the most elaborately and creatively lit houses in the city, turning the town's residential streets into makeshift sightseeing tours and parade routes. Perhaps the best part is that anyone who wants to can take part in the unofficial "competition" that the festival is based on. But you'd better be ready to compete with the big players – to be eligible for festival inclusion, your display has to boast a minimum of 40,000 bulbs.

Branson, Missouri
Those light-chasers who make it all the way down to Branson, Missouri, will find that their efforts were well worth the trip. The tiny town is host to its annual Old Time Christmas festival at its trademark Silver Dollar City. Not only is there live music and a nightly parade, but visitors can feast their eyes on 1,000 decorated trees covered in a total of 5 million – yes you read that right – bulbs.

Spread holiday cheer this season by heading to NJ State Auto. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, ensuring that you'll find the vehicle that's right for you with financing options that fit your lifestyle.