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.

Joshua Kays began as an auto technician for DeBoer's in January of this year. He brings more than 12 years of work experience in a variety of fields. Right out of high school, he was a subcontracted machinist at M&M Mars in Hackettstown, NJ; then worked as an electrical technician for Kane Electric where he wired new residential construction in Crystal Springs and from there became an auto technician for Firestone. During his auto career, Joshua has performed more than 4200 alignments.

There are many amazing things about living in New Jersey. We have the most dynamic big cities and small towns, scenic mountains and gorgeous beaches, and amazing dining, entertainment and cultural opportunities. One other thing we have are leaders who are serious about enhancing everyone’s quality of life with rules aimed at reducing pollution. One such rule is most vehicles licensed in New Jersey are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Vehicles that don’t pass inspection must undergo emission repair until they do pass.

Local dealerships often are limited in their selection. That’s by design. Because local dealerships are smaller and more selective in terms of the cars they sell, they have lower overhead and marketing costs. Small dealerships survive and thrive because they pass these cost savings on to their customers.

April signals the beginning of spring and the ideal time to open up your windows, let the fresh air in, tackle your spring cleaning and make sure you’ve taken care of your vehicle’s preventive maintenance needs. Before the blistering summer heat arrives, take a look at your car’s scheduled maintenance plan and plan to make an appointment with a qualified service center that can check those boxes. Maintain your car in spring so you’re not stranded on your summer road trip!

Just like you are required to pay taxes, if you own a car in New Jersey, you are required to have your car inspected every two years. Soon, however, some vehicle categories will be exempt from inspections. You probably comply with this requirement so the police will not issue you a ticket. You may comply grudgingly, wondering why you’re required to have your car inspected biannually. Read on to learn some of the reasons New Jersey state inspections are required. You may not approach your next vehicle inspection with enthusiasm, but perhaps you will no longer resent the idea.