In honor of this upcoming Presidents Day, Jiffy Lube of Southern California is offering a discount on our Signature Service and Specialty oil changes. Just present this coupon at participating Southern California Jiffy Lube service centers between now and February 20th and we’ll take care of your oil changing needs and save you some money in the process!
California, especially Southern California, has long had it’s problems with smog and air quality over the years which has resulted in laws being passed to protect our air environment. One of these laws requires that vehicles be given a smog inspection every other year in order to have an approved registration by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Unfortunately, some wait until the moment that their registration due date is up to get inspection and run into problems when they find out that their vehicle needs repairs in order to pass, resulting in a delay. We at Southern California Jiffy Lube have compiled a list of helpful information about vehicle registrations in our state for your benefit.
First off, if your vehicle is less than 6 years old it is exempt from an emissions test however you will be required to pay a mandatory $20 smog abatement fee before you can be registered. There are other exemptions such as:
If your vehicle does not fall into any of the above the categories, you can go on to the California Department of Motor Vehicles website and enter your zip code to see if a smog inspection is required in your county. You can also check your vehicle registration renewal notice which will also inform you of the type of testing station you can take your vehicle to (smog testing station, a test-only station, or a STAR station with higher testing standards).
Should your vehicle pass the smog inspection, the results will be electronically sent to the DMV and you will be given a receipt and a copy of the test results also known as a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). If your vehicle fails to pass, the station will give you a copy of the report and inform you why your vehicle did not hold up to the test standards. In this case your vehicle will need to be repaired and retested in order to be registered.
Southern California Jiffy Lube service centers offers regular maintenance for vehicles and we’re conveniently located all throughout the Southland. By having us service your vehicle, you can have a peace of mind when it comes to inspection time. We will also perform vehicle safety inspections at selected locations for first time vehicle registrations, along with emissions tests. Let’s partner together to keep vehicles in inspection passing condition and to help keep our air in California clean for us all to enjoy.
Mother nature sure did a number on us Southern California residents this winter producing rainstorm after rainstorm, which of course has been much needed. Since October 1st, the downtown Los Angeles area alone has received up to 13 inches of rain which is a 216% increase than the average amount for this time of year. While this is great for our water supplies, plants, trees, and overall ecosystem – this can put a strain on our vehicles especially if we’re not used to caring for our cars in these conditions, so we’d like to share some helpful tips to keep them in shape during and after a rain storm.
Have Operating Wind Shield Wipers
This is important as wipers clear the windows and give drivers a safe view of the road ahead. With heavy rainfall, wipers are used constantly and can wear easily. The moment you notice that the wipers are not clearing the windshield well, you should have them inspected for cracks, missing pieces, and tears on the rubber squeegee’s. Also, be sure to wipe down your blades to remove dirt, oils, and other things that can cause a build up.
Tire Maintenance
Keep an eye on your tires air pressure. Tires with incorrect air pressure can lead to difficulties in handling and braking – especially during rainfall. Cold temperatures harden the rubber on tires making them more slippery making it even more important to watch the pressure on tires and the treading. Low treading on a tire is extremely dangerous.
Properly Working Brakes
They say that Southern California drivers can’t handle driving in the rain and a lot of that has to do with being able to brake properly during rainfall but braking properly also requires that you have brakes in good condition. Test your brakes to see if they feel soft or spungey – if they do, have them inspected immediately. When driving in the rain, you not only have to brake for speed but also due to other drivers ahead of you who are dealing with the wet roads – and who knows what kind of shape their cars are in to handle wet conditions. What you can do is make sure that your car is in condition during and after a storm.
If you need further assistance in keeping your vehicle in great working condition during this rainy season, stop on by to one of our Southern California Jiffy Lube locations today.
You may not be a big fan of car clutter and that’s understandable. But here are a few “just in case” items we feel you might want to keep in the trunk of your car that won’t drive you clutter crazy. Some are for maintenance, some are for emergency, all are for your convenience. These are just a few more helpful tips brought to you by your good friends over at Jiffy Lube So Cal.
1. JUMPER CABLES
If you’ve ever gone to start your car only to find your battery has died and you don’t have any jumper cables, then you already know how important they are to have. Plus it’s actually much harder than you may think to find someone that has jumper cables that’s willing to help you. up your battery and have you back on the road rollin again in no time. Plus if you keep a set like this one then you can help someone else out as well if they need a jump.
2. AIR COMPRESSOR & TIRE SEALER
If you don’t own a jack or you don’t know how to change a tire then a compressor and tire sealer should be important to you. The tire sealer can seal a leak and the compressor can inflate your tire so you can safely get to the tire shop.
3. DUCT TAPE
Duct tape can be your best friend in a jam. If you have a broken mirror, molding, or a hanging headlight duct tape can help you out. Duct tape fixes aren’t permanent fixes by any stretch of the word but they can come through for you in a pinch.
4. 72 HOUR KIT
Choose a 72-Hour kit that suits you best. You can even put together your own if you’d like. Simply having it in your trunk is the important part. They contain a variety items that can become handy in a hurry should you break down and get stranded without help for a day or two. Whatever you end up choosing make sure it has some basics like a radio, snacks with a 5 year shelf life, solar blanket, and most important WATER! You can get a basic kit for relatively cheap or one with all the extras at a higher price.
5. REFLECTIVE TRIANGLE & FLARES
Reflective triangles and flares are the most effective way to warn others that you are broken down and in need of some room for safety. Flares are key at night as they can provide a much brighter alert for other drivers in an emergency.
6. FIRST AID KIT
In the event of an injury occurring having a first aid kit can make a huge difference. Make sure it has a manual or a guide just in case you’re a little rusty or familiar with the first aid field.
7. FLASHLIGHT
A heavy duty, high quality flashlight is always a must in case of a breakdown at night or if you need to look into an area that has little to no light available. Make sure you keep some fresh batteries in it as well as some extras on hand just in case.
8. MULTI-TOOL
A quality multi-tool will prove it’s worth sooner than later when you come across all the minor fixes you might not think about.
9.EXTRA CASH
If you don’t normally keep cash on hand you may want to set some aside and stash it away. If you need a tow and you don’t have AAA sometimes the only tow help you can get is cash only. In that case not having cash could be a real problem if you were stranded far from home. I would say no less than $40 but, I suggest upwards towards $200 just in case.
10. OLD CELL PHONE
An old disconnected cell phone can still dial 911 or 999 in case of an emergency. Next time you upgrade or get a new phone, keep the old one. Charge it up and keep it turned off in your trunk. You may want to keep a charger with a car adapter with it.
Remember, there’s nothing wrong with adding more items to your own personalized list. The more you have, the more prepared you’ll be. It all depends on what you’re comfortable with. Hopefully you never need any of these items but if you do, you’ll be prepared.
Top 10 Most Expensive “Check Engine” Light-Related Repairs
The sight of a “check engine” light can make you cringe. Here’s a list of your top 10 most expensive “check engine” light-related cringers brought to you by your friends over at Jiffy Lube So Cal.
10. Fuel Injection Pump – $2,500
Higher quality fuel and keeping up with regular maintenance will help extend the life of your Fuel Injection Pump.
9.Trnsfr. Case and Torque Cnvrtr. – $2,900
Since this can be a costly fix you want to prevent further damage to your vehicle so do not attempt to drive with a bad torque converter.
8. Hybrid Battery – $3,000
To maximize battery life, minimize use of DC quick charge. If you have a lithium-ion pack you should also avoid fully charging and fully draining your EV’s battery. Lithium-ion batteries prefer a partial cycle rather than a deep discharge.
7. Supercharger – $3,020
The prices for superchargers can really vary. Things can get expensive in a hurry. Be sure to do some research before choosing where and what you’re purchasing.
6. Gas Mass Sensor – $3,043
Symptoms of a bad or failing GMS can include running rich at idle or lean under load, decrease in fuel efficiency, and rough idles.
5. Transfer Case Shift Motor – $3,272
One clear sign of transfer case failure is the total loss of all-wheel or four-wheel drive.
4. Cylinder Head Assembly – $3,575
To prevent this problem from happening again and again, the integrity of the entire cooling system should be tested and inspected when a cylinder head/head gasket is replaced because of overheating.
3. Transmission Assembly – $3,644
When it comes to difficulty on a scale of 1 – 10 this job is a 10. So it’s pretty safe to say that this is not a DIY job.
2. Transmission Replacement – $3,800
Spending the money to ensure the job is done properly is the way to go. Doing it yourself can be done but it can be a difficult task to say the least.
1. Hybrid Inverter Assembly – $4,100
When your inverter fails replacing it can sometimes cost more than the car is worth when it comes to older EVs. You may want to put that repair money towards a new vehicle.
Repairs of this magnitude, as you can see, can get expensive. Be sure to do your due diligence when it comes to choosing your repair shop. If you can’t find a repair shop come on down to your friends at Jiffy Lube So Cal and we can’t help you, we’ll be sure to point you in the right direction.
We all know that holiday shopping can get hectic. Here’s a couple of helpful tips to help you Jiffy Lubers stay safe through it all. From you friends over at Jiffy Lube So Cal.
In Store Shopping
Avoid purchasing more than you can carry on your own. Bring a friend or family member along to help you carry your purchases to your car. If neither are available you can always ask a store employee to assist you.
Avoid taking out your checkbook or credit cards before you are asked to do so. Experienced thieves are expert shoulder surfers when it comes to skimming account information.
When approaching your vehicle have your keys in hand. Before you enter your vehicle check the backseat and around the car just to be safe.
To deter a break in be sure to take all packages directly home if possible. If you can’t take them right home be sure to lock them in the trunk or completely out of site.
Online Shopping
Before you shop online be sure your computer’s security software is up to date. All computers should have a firewall as well as anti-spam, antivirus, and antispyware software installed.
Keep your passwords and personal information secure. Beware of phishing sites who send requests to “verify” personal information. If you didn’t initiate the contact do not respond.
Be very wary of “deals” from unfamiliar sites. What sounds too good to be true, then it usually is.
NYE safety Tips – Jiffy Lube So CalNYE safety Tips – Jiffy Lube So Cal
Hello again New Year’s Eve! Always great to see you this time of year! You are a perfect excuse to let loose with friends and loved ones.
But along with any night of celebration and renewal, you must always keep your safety and the well being of others in mind.
We wanted to share this list of safety tips for your 2017 New Years Eve celebration.
After a long night of celebrations, what better way to be safe than to stay where you are. Remove the temptation of driving home drunk by giving your keys up, asking for a blanket and pillow and sleeping it off. Not only will you avoid a DUI, you may avoid being the victim of a drunk driver. Remember, Buzzed driving is Drunk Driving! Don’t take the chance!
Ever heard of Uber or Lyft? Chances are if you’re the type of person who loves to celebrate just about any occasion, you are already signed up to these services. There are hundreds and thousands of free promo codes for your first ride. All you need is a smartphone, a credit card and your all set. Make sure you sign up for these services before the party! Let someone at the party know when your leaving and check in with someone when you get home.
While this option may not be suitable for some of us, this might well be the best option to take. You could make sure other people are safe and be the NYE hero. Who doesn’t love the DD on a long New Years Night? Plus, your awake and sober and can retell all the funny stories from the night.
Thank you so much for tuning in to another blogisode here on the Jiffy Lube Socal Blog!
Til next time JiffyLubers!
