Did you know that having the correct amount of air in your tires can not only keep you safer on the roads but save you money at the pump? Tire pressure is something you need to check on a regular basis – once or twice a month is a good schedule to stick to. This will also help you recognize if there is a problem. Consistently low levels may point to a leak that, if caught early, will help you avoid a blowout while driving. 

Get a pressure gauge
You can find tire pressure gauges at auto parts stores as well as gas stations and any shop that has an automotive department. They're only a few bucks and small enough to fit in any storage compartment in your car. To use one, you simply unscrew the stem cap on a tire and push the gauge into the stem. The plastic measurement indicator should pop out, allowing you to read the amount of air pressure, expressed in pounds per square inch (psi). The proper psi for your tires can be found in the owner's manual or on a sticker that is usually located inside the driver's side door frame. 

Filling up
Most gas stations have air compressors that are free to use or take a couple of quarters to get the air flowing. If they do not have automatic pressure sensors, you will need to fill the tires little bit little, checking the pressure with your gauge as you go until you reach the appropriate level.

Keep heat in mind
If you've driven more than a mile, your tires have likely heated up, causing the air pressure to increase, according to SaferCar.gov. If the pressure reading is a bit higher than it should be, wait for the tires to cool down and measure them again.

When you encounter issues with your tires, you can being your vehicle to NJ State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center. The maintenance experts can help you address issues such as tears and leaks.

Spring cleaning is all about reaching every inch of the area you're working on, whether you're scrubbing down your car or your kitchen. Just washing the exterior of the vehicle is not enough. You should also attack the interior, removing trash, vacuuming dirt and debris from the floors and between seat cushions and wiping down surfaces to remove dust and make the passenger area as fresh as the exterior.

After you've cleared out all the garbage and odds and ends you've collected over the winter months, use a vacuum to pick up the bits of dirt, sand, rock salt, crumbs and other debris that have likely collected under the seats, in the crevices of the cushions and on the floors. If you're dealing with stains on the fabric, you might want to get a deep-cleaning product or even rent an upholstery cleaning machine.

Then, you can wipe down the harder surfaces such as the dashboard and center console. Use a gentle cleaning product as anything too strong could degrade the material. For smaller cracks, crevices and hard-to-reach spaces, you can use cotton swabs or tightly rolled pieces of paper towels. Paying attention to these small details while cleaning will really help to make your car feel like new again.

Don't forget to use glass cleaner and a paper towel or lint-free rag to clean the interior sides of the windows. This will enhance visibility and get rid of any finger-drawn pictures your kids may have made when the windows fogged up during winter.

A car with a clean, well maintained interior is likely to have a higher resale value than one with stains, unpleasant odors and dirty dashboards. If you're thinking of trading in your vehicle at New Jersey State Auto Auction and replacing it with a used car, truck or SUV, you should take the time to clean up the current ride to give it a boost in value. 

To protect your car's exterior appearance, you need to wax it regularly. Wax acts as a protective barrier from the elements, including dirt, leaves and other debris, as well as sunlight and insects that hit your car while you're driving, as all of these can degrade the overall quality of the paint job. How often you should wax you car depends on a variety of factors including the age of the vehicle, your location and the climate. If you live in the New York/New Jersey area and own an older model or a used car, you'll probably want to consider waxing your vehicle this spring. Not only have you been driving on icy and salted roads, but the coastal region also faces salty air conditions that can erode the metal of your vehicle and cause it to rust.

As the weather grows warmer and the days get longer, your car is going to be spending a lot more time under the sun, so it's a good idea to seal in the paint job with a good wax early into the season. This will help protect against fading, and the protective layer of wax will also prevent sand, dirt and other debris from scratching the surface. You might not be able to see these tiny indentations, but they can contribute to oxidation that leaves a car looking dull and lifeless. Regularly waxing a vehicle helps keep it looking shiny and new.

If your vehicle is already starting to lose its luster, you might want to think about using a car polish to remove any grime and restore the original shine before waxing. It's important to note that polish and wax are not interchangeable, as polish won't remain on the surface – it only serves to get rid of preexisting scratches and dirt.

Waxing a car is an important part of getting it ready for spring, but drivers should also think about getting regular maintenance. The experts at NJ Auto Auction's Total Car Care garage can handle everything from oil changes to routine maintenance to repairs.

While the last remnants of snow melt and the rains wash away all the salt and deicers from the roads, it's a great time to give your car a springtime makeover. After months of driving over icy roads and getting road salt and other debris all over your vehicle, one of the first things you can do to welcome warmer weather is to wash your car from top to bottom.

What you'll need:
There are a few different items you will need to give your car a thorough bath and dislodge all the debris and dirt that have accumulated in the past season. First, make sure you have a hose with a working spray nozzle. You'll also need plenty of clean rags and sponges. Don't use dirty cloths that could contain particles that may damage the paint job. For the soap, you'll want something mild – dish detergent can be a bit too strong for this job, so make sure to water it down substantially if that's what you plan to use. There are plenty of automotive cleaners out there, but you don't need to use them to get your car shiny and clean like new.

Washing the car:
Choose a shady spot so the soap doesn't dry while you work and leave unattractive soap stains, and rinse the car off entirely before you begin washing. Don't forget to spray the undercarriage of the car as well, since this is where most of the debris will build up. This removes any loose dirt, so you don't accidentally rub it into the surface and leave scratch marks. Then, you can start washing, but take it one section at a time, rinsing off the soap when you're done. 

A clean car is also ideal if you're planning to sell it or trade it in at NJ State Auto Auction for your next used car. When a car looks good, it reassures a buyer that the previous owner took care of it and can help boost the resale value a bit.

Winter is finally drawing to a close, and while there may be a few snowfalls left to get through this season, there's no doubt that spring is just around the corner. For many, this means it's time to break out the cleaning supplies and get their homes ready for warmer weather, but car owners should be sure to include their vehicles in this year's spring cleaning plan. Here are a few things you can do to get your car ready for spring.

Throw out your garbage
If you're the type who doesn't worry about leaving an empty soda bottle or an old receipt on the floor of your car, chances are you could stand to do a bit of tidying up. Go through everything you have in your car, throw out the trash and take the stuff you don't need in your car into your house, like the five extra pairs of shoes you've had in the backseat all winter. Not only will clearing the clutter make the car look (and probably smell) better, but removing excess weight can also improve fuel economy, helping you save at the pump.

Clean everything really well
Head to an automotive store to pick up a few car-specific cleaning products and get to work. Clean the interior and exterior thoroughly to get rid of the dust and grime that have built up over the winter months. When your car is as clean as the day you bought it, it can increase the value if you're thinking of selling it to get your next used car before summer begins.

If you're looking to get behind the wheel of a new ride, NJ State Auto Auction has plenty of affordable used cars, trucks and SUVs to choose from so you're ready to hit the beach come Memorial Day.

Check back soon for more helpful spring cleaning tips for your car.