If you own a car, you’re probably used to making biannual trips to a certified vehicle inspection center for emissions testing. Thanks to changes in NJ state inspection requirements, you may not need to do that this year. If the sticker on your car’s windshield indicates your vehicle is due for an inspection this summer, you need to be aware of some important changes to New Jersey’s inspection policy before you head to your local service center. You may be one of many vehicle owners who discovers your car-related to-do list just became one item shorter.

If you’re ready to head to the car lot and trade in your ride for a newer, more economical or more suitable model but you haven’t yet paid off your existing car, don’t despair. You don’t necessarily have to wait until you’ve paid off your car to upgrade to a new one. Read on to learn how to roll existing debt into a new car loan.

You’re reading this blog, which means you’ve found our website. We’re glad you did and hope you’ll check in with us frequently! Just as you’ve found our website, there’s a chance you will find your ideal car when you are online car shopping. In a perfect world, you’ll find your ideal car at the right price on our extensive inventory listing or at another location nearby. However, there’s a slim chance you’ll locate the car of your dreams in another state. If that’s the case, there are important steps to take before you go car shopping out of state.

Whether you are an aggressive driver or a lackadaisical driver, you probably have driving habits you don’t realize are prematurely aging your car. If you’re typical, you’re probably guilty of at least one of the following six driving habits you need to stop to prolong the life of your car. Knowledge is power. Once you know your driving habits are damaging your car, you’ll have a reason to break them!

As the saying goes, “What goes up must come down.” However, as you’ve probably noticed at the pump in recent weeks, what comes down often goes back up. Case in point? Gas prices. They are creeping up again as demand increases now the warmer weather road-trip seasons are here. How far gas prices will rise and when they’ll drop again remains to be seen. One thing is certain, though. Anything you can do to increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency is a good thing. An annual fuel system cleaning can enhance your vehicle’s performance and boost fuel efficiency.

No matter what type of oil your vehicle uses, whether it is conventional or full synthetic, you should have your oil replaced every 3,000 miles -- even though some manufacturers say replacing oil every 5,000 miles is sufficient. Oil is the lubricant that keeps the moving parts in your engine working as designed. When your car doesn’t have enough oil or is operating with dirty oil, you’re increasing the risks engine trouble will develop. Fortunately, manufacturers continue to engineer longer-lasting oils. Unfortunately, the effective lifespans of oil filters have not increased. If you wonder how often should you change your oil filter, you should know that changing it every 3,000 miles is essential for your engine's well being.

No one likes to hear their car is in need of repair or a parts replacement. However, if you are going to own a vehicle, you should expect to incur maintenance and repair costs along the way. Some repairs can be delayed without major ramifications. Others call for immediate action. One thing you definitely do not want to delay the needed repair or replacement of your brake system. If your brakes fail, the results can be catastrophic.

If you purchase an extended warranty from a dealership, you may assume you’ll be required to return to that location for future repair and maintenance needs. There are exceptions, but that’s usually not the case. As long as you are purchasing a third-party extended warranty, which is the most common type of extended warranty, rather than a dealership extended warranty, you are not required to return to the dealership for service.

Buying a new car is exciting. It can also be stressful. As is the case with any big-ticket purchase, your goal is to get the item you really want at the lowest possible price. If you plan to finance your new car purchase, as most people do, the sticker price on your dream car is just one part of the financial equation. You also need to learn how your down payment and the interest rate on your car loan will affect how much you end up paying over the long term.

Surveys repeatedly conclude most vehicle buyers rely on auto loan financing to afford the purchase of a new car. That’s understandable, considering cars are big-ticket items and make the short list of most people's biggest purchases. Many consumers are fixated on securing a car loan with the lowest possible monthly payment. A smarter approach is to negotiate a car loan that ensures you pay the lowest possible price for your new car over the long term.