Tips for winterizing your car

By Admin

Posted in How To

With the season of winter quickly approaching, it's time to prepare for the change in weather that everyone's been waiting for – snow. Whether you love or hate the cold stuff that falls from the sky and immediately accumulates on the ground, your car has never been a fan. In order to make sure your car functions properly throughout the harsh, frigid months of winter, it's important to give it some TLC before the snow rolls in. Here are a few simple ways to prepare your car for winter and ensure a safe and easy commute for you and your passengers.

Pack an emergency kit
For starters, you should always have an emergency kit in your car. If you don't already, make sure to get one before the first big winter blizzard. Unfortunately, you never know what could happen during a snow storm, so it's important to take immediate safety precautions before winter arrives.

Besides having a spare tire and the tools to change it out ready, The Department of Motor Vehicles suggested packing this list of things in your car:

Snow brush and ice scraper
Blankets and gloves
An extra pair of boots
A radio
Engine oil
Windshield washer fluid
Coolant
Flares
A flash light.

Make sure to put a snow brush and ice scraper in your car before the first snow.

Test the battery and charging system
According to Autoblog, the cold weather can be extremely detrimental to your car's battery and electrical system. Simply test your battery by turning on the headlights before starting the engine. If you notice that the lights are brighter after starting the engine, Autoblog recommended taking your car to a mechanic for a thorough test.

Check your heaters, defrosters and wipers
The Car Care Council suggested checking your heaters, defrosters and wipers to make sure they are in proper working condition for safe driving vision. Consider using cold weather washer fluid and replacing your windshield wipers to ensure maximum safety while driving through harsh blizzards.

"Your car's cooling system should be checked year-round."

Check your car's coolant
Some might think you don't need to worry about your car's cooling system until the summer, but that's just not the case. Autoblog said if your car's coolant is not mixed properly, the chance of it freezing is higher, which can lead to severely damaging your engine or radiator. Though it's best to check your car's manual, it's typically recommended to have a 50/50 mixture of water and anti-freeze for year-round driving.

Check your breaks
The Car Care Council said the braking system is the most important safety item in your vehicle. It's extremely important to get your breaks inspected before the winter season. The National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence recommends getting your brakes checked periodically to prevent further damage and repairs that might come from neglect. By examining your brake system, you can reduce the chance of accidents from happening and ensure a secure drive for you and your passengers.

Examine your tires, replace them if necessary
ASE recommends checking your tires for remaining tread line, uneven wearing as well as cuts and nicks. Worn tires can be extremely dangerous in winter weather, so it's critical to keep them in tip-top shape. Be sure to check your tire pressure once a month and rotate as often as your car's manual recommends. Poorly aligned wheels make your engine work harder, which causes your car to use more gasoline than necessary. Consider taking your car to the mechanic for new tires or a rotation to make sure they are ready for the slippery roads.

4 simple maintenance jobs that can help you save money on your car [Video]

By Admin

Posted in Video

Owning a car can be an expensive affair. With regular maintenance, gas, parking and insurance – not to mention the actual car payment itself – it's important to make sure you're financially capable of car ownership before heading to the dealer.

Fortunately, while there isn't much you can do about things like gas prices, there are steps you can take to lower your cost of ownership. Cars are complex and maintenance on them can be expensive if things get out of hand. On the flip side, taking a few preventive measures regularly can keep your car running smoother for longer.

Here are a few simple maintenance task any driver should be able to do that can reduce your cost of ownership.

"A dirty air filter can reduce your fuel efficiency by around 10%."

1. Change your air filter
Plain old air is a critical component in the smooth operation of your car's engine. According to CarsDirect, every gallon of fuel your engine uses requires 10,000 gallons of clean air. That may seem like a lot, but remember that your car gets all the air it needs from outside – you just need to keep an eye on the air filter.

Investopedia recommended changing your air filter every three months, though this may change depending on the area that you live in – parts of the country that are particularly dusty or pollen-infested may require more frequent maintenance. Air filters themselves are fairly inexpensive and are simple to replace – most of them don't require any special tools and can be swapped by hand by even novice motorists.

For such a small component, the air filter can have a major impact on your car's gas mileage. A dirty filter can reduce your fuel efficiency by around 10 percent, costing you an extra 15 cents per gallon on gasoline – an amount that will certainly add up over time.

2. Keep your tires inflated
You likely don't think too much about your tires unless there's a problem. They're an important part of your vehicle's overall function and safety, and replacing them can be an expensive ordeal. That's why it's important to keep them in good, working condition as long as possible by keeping them inflated.

Tires tend to lose air at a rate of about one to two pounds per month, Investopedia noted. In addition to this, extreme temperature changes – such as the oncoming season – can cause even further loss of air pressure. Check your tire pressure regularly, as well as your owner's manual to determine what the recommended pressure is for your car so you can stay on top of the issue.

Knowing when to change your oil is just important as knowing how to do so.

var atlantisVideo = AtlantisJS.Init({videos: [{id: “2807”}]});

3. Change your oil on a realistic schedule
Conventional wisdom holds that you should change your oil every 3,000 miles. However, it turns out conventional wisdom may be overcompensating. While it's important to change your oil regularly, every 3,000 miles is a bit excessive, especially with new advancements in synthetic motor oil technology. Check your car's owner's manual for manufacturer recommendations, but in general, you can likely get away with changing your oil every 5,000 miles. Not only will you be saving money on unnecessary oil changes, you'll also be going easy on the environment.

4. Buy an OBD-II reader
Wait a minute – we're supposed to be helping you save money on car maintenance, so why are we recommending you buy a diagnostic reader? Before you get too upset, keep in mind that the nebulous check engine light is the source of many headaches – and unnecessary maintenance expenses – for motorists everywhere.

Fortunately, an OBD-II reader, a machine that retails for just under $100, can eliminate unnecessary trips to the mechanic's shop. The reader interfaces with your engine's on-board computer, providing you information on exactly what's wrong when the check engine light goes on for most cars manufactured later than 1996. While you should try and get all maintenance issues with your car addressed as soon as possible, some are more pressing than others, and these are exactly the sorts of things that an OBD-II reader is designed to help you determine.

If you're in the market for a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a helpful sales and finance team dedicated to putting you in the used car that's right for you.

Tips for surviving the holiday shopping season

By Admin

Posted in General Auto News

There are few words that evoke as much a rush of pure adrenaline and emotion as "Black Friday." Retailers love the injection of extra holiday revenue, while savvy shoppers spend Thanksgiving dinner making battle plans to ensure they hit every deal and sale on their list.

But for some, Black Friday and the holiday shopping season that accompanies it is nothing but stress. While the financial implications of the biggest shopping day of the year should be obvious, there are also a number of other factors that can put people off to the season, not the least of which being the difficulty of navigating parking lots and shopping centers that are full to bursting.

Not everybody is as enthusiastic about Black Friday as the doorbuster shoppers are, but when it comes to holiday shopping it's a necessary evil. Keep these tips in mind to help make this year's Black Friday as tolerable as possible.

When it comes to parking on Black Friday, patience is a virtue.

Plan ahead
Rule No. 1 of Black Friday is to have a plan. If you try and wing it, you're going to end up wasting a lot of valuable time. Fortunately, many stores will release information on upcoming sales well in advance, giving you time to take in all the offerings and put a plan together. Knowing where you want to go will help when it's time to decide where to park as well as when to leave. If you're a really serious shopper, you may even want to head to the mall or shopping center ahead of time to do some scouting so you know which stores are near each other. That way when the big day comes, you can divide your group up based on who needs what.

Stick to what you know
While many people are drawn to various retailers by the siren song of major discounts, if you're already a stress-prone shopper it may be more beneficial to you to stick to your well-known options. Familiarity may seem like a minor detail, but in the thick of the Black Friday rush, not having to think about where you're going or which department you need to check for a given item can be the difference between a stressful experience and a fruitful one. Remember that there will promotions, sales and advertisements bombarding you from all sides during Black Friday, but if you can cut down on the noise by sticking to the stores you're familiar with, it can make for a more pleasant experience.

"Remember that safety is your main concern above convenience."

Be firm and communicative behind the wheel
Forget whatever football game is airing Thanksgiving day. Everyone knows the real main event during this season is the battle between you and other motorists for precious parking spots. According to Drop It And Drive, Black Friday is one of the biggest days of the year for auto accidents, so take extra care to be communicative with other drivers. Use your directional blinkers and signal lights if you want to call "dibs" on a parking spot, but also drive defensively – other drivers may not realize your intention and could still try and race you for a prime spot. When in doubt remember that safety is your main concern above convenience, and be prepared to sacrifice that prime spot for one a bit farther away from the door if it means avoiding a traffic collision.

If all else fails, shop online
The habit of retailers slashing their prices on Black Friday has created a tradition – and indeed an ad hoc holiday – out of the beginning of the shopping season. But in recent years, e-commerce has adjusted itself so that Black Friday-like deals are available online as well as in-person. In fact, the Cyber Monday phenomenon is growing so much that it's almost rivaling Black Friday in terms of sales revenue retailers bring in. If you're finding the holiday shopping season too much to contend with, remember that you can still snag some pretty sweet deals from the comfort of your own home, without having to brave the mall parking lot.

If you need a quality pre-owned car to get you through the holiday season, check out NJ Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, so you're bound to drive away with a used vehicle that fits your needs perfectly.

6 ways you can fight back against a low credit score

By Admin

Posted in How To

We get it: Life can be hard sometimes. Despite your best intentions, you may end up with a bit of debt here, some unpaid credit cards over there, and before you know it, your credit score has plummeted.

While this isn't an ideal situation to be in, it's also not the economic death sentence you might think it is. A low credit score can affect you, but it doesn't have to limit your purchasing power, especially when it comes to buying a car. If you're currently sporting a sub-prime credit score – a score below 640 – here are six things you can do to help dig yourself out of that debt cycle.

1. Pay your bills
It may seem like a no-brainer, but paying down your credit card bills on time is perhaps the most effective way to revive your credit score. What's more, not paying your bills – or paying them late – can wreak absolute havoc on your credit score, perhaps faster than any other factor.

Of course, paying your bills on time is often easier said than done. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure that you're paying on time. Many companies can send you email or text message alerts when a bill is due. If you still don't trust yourself to make timely payments, you may need to set up an automatic payment on a set date every month.

2. Reduce the amount you owe
Owing a lot of money to creditors also negatively impacts your credit score. The more outstanding debt you have, the larger the effect on your credit score. This is true for debt use as well – a term indicating how much of your available credit you're using. NerdWallet noted that you should try and keep this below 30 percent for the most optimal effect on your credit score.

Having multiple credit cards open at once can drop your credit score.

3. Don't take out more credit cards
If you find yourself swimming in debt, you may be tempted to take out another credit card to help ease the burden in the short term. Resist this urge. For starters, the number of active credit accounts you have open impacts your credit score, so you aren't doing yourself any favors by taking on a new financial responsibility. More importantly, opening a new credit account to pay down an existing card will just put you on the fast track to a debt cycle. Instead of paying off debt that you owe, you're just shuffling it from one account to another, and maybe accumulating more along the way.

4. Don't raise your credit limit
Whether you're short on cash for the month or are worried about your credit usage rate, raising your credit limit is an option many people consider. It may help by giving you immediate access to additional funds, but it's also not great for your credit score. Asking to raise your credit limit flags you as a debt risk, which may reflect on your credit report.

"It's better to pay down the nickel-and-dime amounts."

5. Consolidate balances
Go through your wallet and take a look at all the credit cards in there. Do you know what the balance is on each of them? You may think that putting $20 on this card and $50 on that card can help by keeping your respective credit usage rates low, but this isn't the case. In fact, your credit score takes into account how many accounts you have that are carrying balances. It's better to pay down the nickel-and-dime amounts on your cards and keep your credit spending to just one.

6. Develop a history of "good debt"
It's not that creditors want you to have no debt to your name, they just want to make sure that you're capable of paying it back. Having outstanding debt on your credit report can actually be a good thing if you can demonstrate that you consistently make your payments on time. In fact, if you're worried about your poor credit score hampering your ability to buy a car, don't fret. You can likely still get financed for a loan with poor credit, and making regular, on-time payments toward your car will do quite a bit to bring your score back up.

For more information on how finding the perfect used vehicle can help you recover your credit score and to find the car that's right for you, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction.

Don’t let a bad credit score drive you away

By Admin

Posted in How To

For many people, the credit check can be the most frightening part of purchasing a car. If your credit score is poor, you may worry about your ability to receive the necessary financing to buy a vehicle. Luckily, this isn't the case. In fact, taking on a car payment can do wonders to improve your credit score.

Here's a quick look at the good and the bad of credit scores, and how you can boost yours.

Understanding how credit scores work is the first step toward recovery.

The bad
If you're embarrassed about your low credit score, don't fret – you're in good company. More than half of Americans – 56 percent – sport a credit score that is sub-prime, or below 640. Considering it can take between seven and 10 years to recover from a poor credit score, that may seem like an overwhelming figure. Unfortunately, in many cases, people turn to other financial products to recover their credit scores, such as high-interest credit cards or secured cards. While they can help you slowly build your credit, it's easy to get locked into a debt cycle and end up owing even more.

The good
But just because your credit score low doesn't mean new purchases are out of the question. Due to flexible financing options, nearly everyone can be approved for a car loan. Not only can you qualify for financing, but making regular, on-time payments toward your vehicle can boost your credit score and limit the recovery time. Keep in mind that the average down payment for a car is between 10 and 20 percent, so you'll need to have some money saved up first.

Prepare yourself
If you're ready to dig your way out of bad credit, congratulations! Just prepare yourself to answer some difficult questions. Be ready to offer information on how much you currently owe, as well as your history of repayment, including information on late payments.

3 common car repairs to look out for [Video]

By Admin

Posted in Video

Simply put, buying a car is an investment. Aside from the up-front cost of the car itself, you should expect to spend money on keeping your car running smoothly and safely so you can maximize its life as much as possible.

But cars are also incredibly complicated machines. With so many moving parts, it only makes sense that things will break down every now and then. Even cars from the most reliable manufacturers need a mechanic's TLC every now and then. While there's a seemingly endless number of components that could potentially break down in any given car, the good news is that most repair jobs tend to be pretty predictable.

Here are three of the more common car repairs.

Changing your oil is simple, but essential.

var atlantisVideo = AtlantisJS.Init({videos: [{id: “2807”}]});

Oil-related issues
Oil changes are the most common and well-known maintenance task, even for drivers who have no idea how a car works under the hood. This is because oil changes are both simple and regular – it's a task you need to be on top of, and they're easy enough that you can do them yourself. That's right – you don't need to shell out any money to get your oil changed, this is one maintenance task you can do all on your own. Just be sure to check your car's owner's manual to see how often you should change up your oil.

One final note: Just be sure you stay current with your oil changes. According to the All Pro Service Center in Des Moines, Iowa, failure to change your oil can result in your engine overheating much faster and can even warp some of the components inside, resulting in hugely expensive or even irreparable damage to the engine.

Tire changes
Sure, you may know how to change a tire on the side of the road, but we're not talking about a temporary replacement until you can get to a service center. You likely don't think about your tires too often, but believe it or not, they may be the most frequent reason you head to the mechanic's shop. According to Cheat Sheet, a set of tires tends to last between two and four years. Considering it's not uncommon to keep the same car for close to 10 years, that means you'll likely go through the process of replacing them multiple times during the life of your car. Considering it can cost between $400 and $600 to swap out a full set of four, that's a significant expense.

Fortunately, you can help extend the life of your tires by regularly monitoring their air pressure and tread. Doing so will greatly improve their effectiveness and reduce wear and tear as much as possible.

"Brake pads typically need to be changed every 40,000 miles."

Brakes
Brakes are such an important safety feature of your car that multiple Hollywood movies create suspense by putting plucky protagonists in vehicles with insidiously snipped brake lines. The good news is you likely won't have to worry about your brake lines – unless you're an international spy or something similar – but you'll most likely have to replace your brake pads at some point during your ownership.

According to WyoTech college in Laramie, Wyoming, brake pads typically need to be changed every 40,000 miles or so. While replacing the brake pads is a fairly simple and inexpensive process, if you also need to replace the disk, drum or rotor component of your brakes, you may be looking at a much higher expense. Mitigate these maintenance costs by addressing any brake-related repair issues immediately, before they can get worse.

5 safety tips for driving this Halloween

By Admin

Posted in General Auto News

On Oct. 31, millions of kids and families across the country are going to deck themselves out in their best Halloween finery, grab their candy sacks and take to the streets for trick-or-treating. It's one of the most well-known autumnal traditions, and a major fan favorite for children all over the country.

If you're too old to go door-knocking for candy, you still have to think about the young ones in your area who will be on the sidewalks and streets in the evening. Safety is an integral part of keeping Halloween fun and family-friendly for everyone involved, and that includes drivers on the roads as well. Do your part to keep Halloween safe this year by keeping these driving tips in mind.

1. Turn up your attention …
Your attentiveness should be at maximum any time you get behind the wheel of a car, but crank it into overdrive if you're driving on Halloween night. In addition to all the normal driving hazards, keep in mind that the streets will be teeming with kids, not all of who have as firm a grasp on traffic laws and etiquette as you. Add to the fact that many costumes can make it more difficult to spot children until it's almost too late, and hitting the road on Halloween can seem like a dicey affair. Just be sure to pay extra attention to your surroundings, and drive slowly – especially if you're in a neighborhood or other residential area.

2. … And turn off your phone
Everyone has been warned away from using a cellphone while driving, but we're all human, and most of us have been known to steal a glance at a text message or Facebook update while behind the wheel. Despite how safe you think doing so would be, resist the urge. Distracted driving is a serious problem. According to Distraction.gov, there are around 660,000 drivers on the road checking their phones at any given moment. That's 660,000 potential accidents that could have been avoided. Remember, Halloween isn't like other days of the year, since the number of children and families out and about is much higher than normal. Your text message or voicemail will wait until you've stopped driving – it's not worth the risk.

Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, especially if there are children in the group.

3. Yield to pedestrians
Again, this is something you should be doing anyway, but it's especially important to do so on Halloween evening. Keep in mind that young children may not be as aware of their surroundings as adults are, and they almost certainly lack your understanding of traffic laws. If you see a child or group of youngsters approaching a crosswalk, you can't expect that they'll stop, even if you have the right of way. Get into the mindset that Halloween driving means yielding to pedestrians any time you encounter them. It may seem like a nuisance, but if you give yourself some extra time to get to your destination, you can be on time and keep children safe in the process.

"Drinking and driving is absolutely never O.K."

4. Take a cab if you have to
While the little ones are going house-to-house asking for candy, many adults use the Halloween holiday to go to parties. As with any festive get-together, parties often mean alcohol. It goes without saying that drinking and driving is absolutely never OK, so you should plan your transportation options based on how festive you're planning on being. You may decide that the best transportation decision is to take a cab so you don't even have the option to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Just remember that Halloween is a busy night, and cab companies and ride-sharing services like Uber may be very busy, so plan your travel accordingly.

5. Keep your own trick-or-treaters safe
Of course, not all motorists on the road on Halloween night are navigating their way around crowds of trick-or-treaters. It's not uncommon for parents to load their kids into the car and do some All Hallows' Eve driving themselves.

While you're in the car, all of the above tips apply. But also keep in mind that you may spend some of your evening dodging drivers, so prepare your children ahead of time to be safe on the road. Make sure costumes are outfitted with reflective tape in prominent areas so that children can be visible to drivers – especially if your kids are sporting dark-colored costumes.

3 Trunk or Treat ideas for your car this Halloween

By Admin

Posted in General Auto News

Halloween is here, and soon the streets will be crawling with children and families of nearly all ages dressed up in their spookiest, sexiest or most recognizable getups as they trawl the neighborhoods for candy.

But kids and party-goers aren't the only ones who can take advantage of the holiday's tradition of dressing up in wacky or scary costumes. There's no reason your car can't get in on the fun too. In fact, Trunk or Treat has become a rather popular event around the country, with motorists showing off their wheels in a different way than they normally might.

If the idea of cool cars in even cooler costumes – carstumes? – tickles your funny bone, you may want to explore Trunk or Treat options near you.

Wait … Trunk or Treat?
If you aren't familiar with this phenomenon, don't worry. Trunk or Treat is still somewhat little-known, but it's definitely growing in popularity, and the people who take part every year love it. Usually a community-sponsored event, Trunk or Treat involves car-owners decking out their cars – or more specifically, their cars' trunks – with funny, cute, spooky or thematic decorations. The cars all congregate in a nearby parking lot, cul-de-sac or similar area, and then motorists hand out candy to people who come by. Visitors to a Trunk or Treat even don't just come away with a bag of sweets, they also get to enjoy the creative efforts of the car owners who participate.

The key to successfully Trunk or Treating is choosing the right type of decoration for your car. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

"It's hard to go wrong with a classic spooky Halloween setup."

1. Go classic
At the end of the day, it's hard to go wrong with a classic spooky Halloween setup. After all, the holiday is known for ghosts, witches, vampires and skeletons, and a trunk decked out with these classic fixtures is sure to please the seasonal nuts in your group. The best part is that there are no shortage of classic Halloween-themed decorations at local party and costume shops, and you don't have to spend lots of money or time to create a pleasing result.

You can start setting the mood by framing your trunk in fake spider webs (with plastic spiders scattered throughout, of course). From there, the possibilities are nearly endless. You could go for a classic graveyard theme, using cardboard or Styrofoam to make tombstones that you can then spray paint gray and write funny or spooky names on. If you're feeling a bit more fab than drab, swap the graveyard motif for something reminiscent of Dracula's castle, complete with miniature throne and lots of red curtains surrounding it for that royal look.

2. Get familiar
Of course, Halloween isn't all about doling out scares – at least not anymore. In fact, some of the best and most relatable costumes people wear every year focus not on chills, but on mutually recognizable moments from pop culture. Popular TV shows, movies and even comic books all make perfect fodder for a Halloween-themed setup. For example, if you're a big fan of the hit TV series "Mad Men," decorate your trunk to look like a 1960s-era office, complete with (fake) wood and chrome details and maybe even a (fake) bar to go along with it. Just be sure to dress the part yourself.

"A kid-friendly or family-friendly exhibit will go a long way."

3. Something for the kids
Because Trunk or Treat events tend to be community-sponsored, chances are a kid-friendly or family-friendly exhibit will go a long way. Once again, there's no shortage of inspiration here. If you have kids yourself, feel free to mine their bookshelves and DVD collections for ideas from popular literature and movies. If your household is a big fan of Maurice Sendak, for example, turn your trunk into a fantasy forestscape ripped right from the pages of the iconic book "Where the Wild Things Are." While we're on the subject of forests, why not carry Trunk or Treaters away to the Hundred Acre Wood by opting for a Winnie-the-Pooh-themed setup? With a little creativity, you can spruce up your car to match just about any imagination-scape you and your kids can come up with.

Trunk or Treat can be enjoyed by any car owner. If you want to get in on the fun, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, where you'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars to choose from.

You won’t be-leave these autumn driving hazards [Video]

By Admin

Posted in Video

Fall is the time of year for enjoying beautiful foliage while sipping on a pumpkin-spice something-or-other. If you're an autumnal aficionado who happens to have a car, your options for fall enjoyment are even greater, as you can hop into your vehicle and go on a sight-seeing drive through the vibrant countryside.

Unfortunately, your car doesn't share your enthusiasm for autumn foliage. While the fall leaves can be pretty to look at, they can also be a source of safety and maintenance concerns for your car. But you shouldn't let a little thing like some fallen leaves ruin your appreciation of this beautiful season. Pay attention to the following safety and repair concerns so you can hit the road to leaf-watch without a care.

1. Traction issues
If you're fortunate enough to live along a country back road, you're in a great spot to enjoy some of the prime viewing vantage points for the seasonal foliage. But these leaves that are so stunning to look at are also a potential safety hazard, especially on those winding country roads. As leaves fall, they can blow into the road. When it rains, leaves that were formerly dead, dry and brittle become wet, mushy and slick – exactly the kind of conditions you want to avoid driving on. Because roads tend to be leaf-covered in the fall, it's a great time to check your tire traction and air pressure, if you aren't already doing so regularly. Well-maintained tires will be your best line of defense against this particular hazard.

"Even small piles of leaves can cover up potholes."

2. Obscuring essential information
Fallen leaves can be more than a traction issue. In heavily wooded areas, significant leaf piles can form that may actually cover up markings on the road such as driving instructions or dividing lines. More significantly, even small piles of leaves can cover up potholes enough for you to not notice them. If you don't know that a pothole is there, you don't know to slow down. As a result, you may hit these covered-up obstacles quickly enough to damage your suspension or your tires. If you're driving on an unfamiliar road that's particularly leafy, use extra caution. If you do notice a pothole, many cities and municipal government offices encourage citizens to call and report them so they can be fixed.

3. Dry-leaf dangers
It's not just wet, slippery leaves that can be worrisome for drivers. In fact, parts of the country that don't experience much precipitation present unique hazards to drivers. You may not realize it, but dry leaves can be a fire hazard. EInsurance recommended against parking your car on top of a pile of dried leaves – or any other type of dry foliage such as pine needles or fallen branches. If you do, your car's catalytic converter could start a fire when you next turn it on.

Leaves can damage your car's paint job, but it's nothing a good polish won't take care of.

var atlantisVideo = AtlantisJS.Init({videos: [{id: “3317”}]});

4. Staining
Leaves aren't just potentially hazardous, they can also be damaging to your car even when you aren't driving. It's virtually impossible to keep leaves from falling on your car, but you should make a point to clear them off when you notice them. If they linger for too long, water and tree sap can actually seep out of the leaves, resulting in unsightly stains on your car. Telegram recommended removing these leaves by hand rather than trying to sweep them off with a broom, as the bristles can scratch the paint. Fortunately, while these stains are a nuisance, they aren't damaging in the long-term, and can usually be cleaned fairly easily with commercial paint cleaner.

5. Water damage
Water leaking into your car's interior is a worst-case-scenario for many drivers. Autumn leaves can actually be a catalyst of this. London's Russell Automotive Centre noted that it's not uncommon for autumn leaves to accumulate in the space under your windshield. This important area directs water from your windshield safely away from the interior of your car, so if it gets clogged, the chances of your interior being affected by water damage are much higher.

If you're in the market for a car this autumn, you're bound to find the right model for you at NJ State Auto Auction. With hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, you're sure to drive away the happy owner of a high-quality used car.

What’s really important when shopping for a car?

By Admin

Posted in How To

Buying a car isn't like purchasing a new pair of pants. It's a significantly larger investment that will hopefully stay with you for years, so you want to make the best choice before driving away in your fresh set of wheels.

Another difference between cars and pants? Cars are exponentially more complicated. While you only need to think about size, price and durability when considering which new pair of trousers to bring home, there are many other factors that can influence your choice of car. Knowing what to look for – and what to look out for – can be the difference between the car of your dreams and a lemon. Every car and, by extension, shopping experience, will be different, but here are four factors that tend to be more important when choosing a vehicle.

If you want to minimize your car payments, you'll need either a sizable down payment or a decent credit history.

1. Cost
This is the big one. In fact, chances are price is the most important factor you're considering when you shop around for a vehicle. But you should understand what exactly cost means within the context of buying a car.

Sticker price is a big part of a car's cost, but what's more significant is the financing. Of course it stands to reason that a higher sticker price means that you'll likely need to either make a larger down payment or borrow more money from the bank, both of which can have their own challenges. Credit.com noted that it's generally better to make as large a down payment as possible, as this will not only reduce the amount of money you'll need to borrow to cover the difference, but will also help keep your interest rate lower.

If you can't afford the up-front cost of a larger down payment, you'll need a decent credit score to procure a loan at a reasonable interest rate. If your credit leaves something to be desired, or if you have no credit history at all, you still aren't sunk. It's possible to procure a loan from a dealer with no credit, but that likely means you'll need to provide more up front. If all else fails, you can consider having a relative with good credit cosign your loan documents as a guarantor.

"Fuel costs are an inevitable part of car ownership."

2. Fuel economy
Once you've sorted out your down payment and your loan, you better hope you've got some money leftover – you'll need it for gas. Fuel costs are an inevitable part of car ownership, but if you're smart when you're shopping you can reduce them.

Fortunately, fuel economy has achieved buzzword status in the automotive industry, and a growing number of fuel-efficient cars are hitting the market every year. Many newer models boast better gas mileage, but if you're shopping for a used car you still need to pay attention. There are resources available online to make this decision easier. Fueleconomy.gov is a government-sponsored site that not only offers useful information on hybrid cars and fuel efficiency in general, but also allows users to compare cars side-by-side to see which offers more bang for your gas station buck.

3. Cost of ownership
Wait a minute – we already talked about cost earlier, right? Not quite. A car's cost of ownership, also referred to as its total cost to own, focuses not on how much a car costs to buy, but rather how much money you can expect to spend while you own it.

This isn't quite an exact science, as cost of ownership comprises many factors. It can take into account things like insurance premiums, fuel efficiency and repair estimates based on the reliability of your given make and model. The good news is there are sites that have demystified the process with online cost of ownership calculators, which you should definitely experiment with before making your decision.

If the car you're looking at has been in an accident in the past, you'll want to know.

4. Repair history
When shopping for a used car, it's good to keep in mind that you aren't the first person to own it. Additionally, you don't know anything about the previous owner's driving habits, accident history or any number of other factors that can have significant effects on how well your car runs. You should always ask to see the Carfax report when considering a used car, as it will list any major repairs the car has received. However, this is a useful tool, but it's not foolproof – only repairs that get officially logged by a mechanic or dealer make it into the report, so there's no guarantee that you're seeing the whole picture. That said, it's a good place to start.

While there's really no way to circumvent this problem completely, there are steps you can take to minimize risk as much as possible. One of the best ways to squeeze out some extra peace of mind is by limiting your search to manufacturer-certified pre-owned vehicles. These are cars that have been been backed by the manufacturer for quality, which means they have received an extensive inspection before being placed on the lot. Many certified pre-owned cars also come with extended manufacturer's warranty.

Of course, even certified cars can have mechanical issues, so you'll still want to have your car inspected by a third party before purchasing it. Remember: Just because a car looks good on the outside doesn't mean it's in top condition. Only a multi-point inspection can reveal that information.

When you're ready to begin shopping for a high-quality used car, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. Your dream car is likely waiting for you among the hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot.