Mother's Day is fast approaching, and if you're looking to break the mold of flowers and breakfast in bed, why not perform some basic maintenance on her car? There are plenty of things you can do to improve her ride regardless of your skill level. Here are a few ideas for how to really surprise Mom this year:

Maintenance ideas
Perform a basic check-up, looking for things like low fluid levels and worn or damaged hoses and belts. Change the oil if you have the know-how to do so, or take the car to a professional if it's time to flush out the fluids. A professional can help spot any issues, such as worn brake pads or minor leaks that can prevent more expensive damage in the future. Mom will surely be pleased when she finds out you caught a problem early, and her wallet will thank you as well.

Easy alternatives for the whole family
You don't have to learn how to change the oil or visit the mechanic to make Mom's ride stand out. Washing the car is a surefire way to earn mom's appreciation, so gather some supplies and start scrubbing. You'll need mild soap, fresh water, buckets and clean sponges and rags. Make sure to rinse the car off before you begin to remove any loose dirt and grime. Wipe down the car once it's clean to avoid water spots drying on the surface, and if you have time, you might want to give the car a good polish to really make it shine.

If the car is in need up a professional tune-up or repair, you can bring it to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The experts at the dealer's Total Car Care Center can address any issue the car may have.

When buyers are shopping for a used car, they're usually tuned into things like how it performs on test drives, mileage and special features. While vehicle maintenance is usually considered in this mix, there are a few key areas prospective owners should be looking at as they hunt for the right automobile, including standard servicing that needs to be done at certain intervals. 

The Street reports people who are considering cars that have met certain mileage milestones need to look closely at the maintenance history. For example, vehicles that have clocked between 30,000 and 40,000 miles may require servicing, such as brake pad replacements or new tires. Similarly, cars that have between 60,000 and 70,000 miles or those that have hit 100,000 miles may also need some extra attention. Filters, timing belts, oil changes and other upgrades are all common at these points. 

"If you're buying a used car, you should also know about these milestones and understand that extensive maintenance may soon be due – or should have been done already," Edmunds.com reports, as quoted by The Street. "… Anyone shopping for used cars in this range should check that the required maintenance has been done. A savvy buyer could use the fact that the service hasn't been done yet as a bargaining chip to make a lower offer." 

Customers don't have to worry too much about vehicle maintenance when they shop for used cars at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot is filled with CARFAX certified cars, trucks and vans, so you can be sure you're choosing a vehicle that has plenty of use in its future. If you find a car that needs a little extra work, just bring it over to the Total Car Care Center at NJ Auto Auction, where they can take care of the upkeep of a vehicle and have it ready to drive in no time. 

It's not uncommon to see entertainment systems in cars evolve. Over the years, things like cassette and CD players have become popular in vehicles – and fallen by the wayside as new technologies come into play. The one consistency has been the presence of the radio, but even that may be facing some stiff competition from newer methods of listening to music. 

"AM and FM as a delivering mechanism isn't going to be the most important in cars anymore," Thilo Koslowski, vice president at the technology research firm Gartner Inc., told The Detroit News. "By 2020, I feel very confident that many consumers will consume radio content through avenues other than terrestrial broadcast." 

Many manufacturers are already making moves to include smartphone connectivity services in cars, especially when it deals with music streaming. In the past few years, many automobiles have been released with adaptors for smartphones and MP3 players. This technology makes it easy for drivers to get their favorite tunes at all times, as well as access to tools like GPS navigation systems or hands-free communication. 

Although traditional radio will still be included in most cars, at least for the near future, automakers are choosing to focus on ways to make live streaming or web browsing easier. Many customers want to have all options included in their rides, whether it's satellite radio, AM/FM or MP3 connectivity. 

Used cars with traditional radio as well as other connectivity options are up for sale at NJ State Auto Auction. The lot is filled with CARFAX certified vehicles, so you can choose from an array of great models ranging from sedans to trucks to vans. If you're looking for your next ride, head over to the New Jersey Auto Auction to find the right car for your needs. 

For parents, safety is a primary concern when they pack their kids in the car, whether to head to school or take a family trip. Yet many are still engaging in dangerous behaviors behind the wheel, according to a recent survey from the University of Michigan.

The findings indicated that nearly 90 percent of of the 600 surveyed parents have diverted their attention from the road to focus on some form of technology while their kids were in the car within the past month. Drivers who don't restrain their youngsters in the proper safety seats, such as boosters for those 4 to 7 years old, were 2.5 times more likely to engage in distracting behaviors. On the other end of the spectrum, drivers who wore seatbelts were far more likely to secure their children in age-appropriate safety restraints.

"Lots of attention has been given to distracted teen drivers. However, our results indicate parents are frequently distracted while driving their 1- to 12-year-old children, and these distracted drivers were more likely to have been in a crash," said study author Dr. Michelle L. Macy, a clinical lecturer in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Michigan and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. 

Something as seemingly insignificant as sending a text from behind the wheel can make a crash 23 times more likely, according to Distraction.gov. To keep their kids safe, drivers should make sure to avoid distractions, which include not just using technology, but also eating or drinking, adjusting the radio and interacting with passengers. Those who have a tendency to reach for their phones may want to instead let their kids play games on the devices while they drive.

The type of car parents drive can also contribute to their family's safety on the road. Parents in the market for used cars, trucks or SUVs can find safe, reliable models at New Jersey State Auto Auction.

As the weather warms up, many drivers are getting ready to trade in or sell their current cars and get behind the wheel of something different. Not only are the summer months a popular time to buy a car, but the 2013 summer season may be the best time for motorists to purchase used cars in five years, according to Jean Chatzky, the financial editor for NBC's "Today" show.

"Summer time is typically when car sales, especially used car sales, kick into high gear," said Larry Gamache, communication director at Carfax. "As the economic recovery continues, it's likely that more people will take advantage of an increased supply of used cars and great deals being offered at dealerships throughout the season. Just remember that finding a great used car takes research and patience."

If you're planning to buy a car soon, the most important thing to remember is to be thorough in your research. Carfax recommends considering certified pre-owned (CPO) models, as they are backed by the manufacturer and undergo inspections before they can be sold, giving you added reassurance that you won't encounter hidden issues as soon as you drive off the lot.

You should also look into safety and reliability ratings, overall cost of ownership and even reviews from other drivers to determine which car would be best for you. Once you have narrowed down your selection, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction to test drive a few models. It's a good idea to try out similar options to make sure the one you want is, in fact, the right car for your needs.

NJ Auto Auction has a wide selection of used makes and models, and every vehicle on the lot is Carfax certified.