Mission Viejo Auto Repair

Photo by Ryan Wallace on Unsplash Bringing the Holiday Spirit Home Is it just us, or have the holidays felt a little strange for the past few years?    The holidays mean a lot of different things to different people. For some, it's a time to reflect on the past year and all we've accomplished. For others, it's an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones you don't see very often. But no matter what your favorite part of this time of year is, there are ways you can bring more of the Christmas spirit into your own home—even if you live in an apartment! Below, we list some of our favorite ways to bring the holiday spirit home.  Take time to display and stage photos of family and friends, both past and present. Photos create a sense of belonging and continuity, so include some from each holiday season. Many families have their own traditions for ... read more

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash Giving Thanks  First, let’s start with the most important thing: thank you, Mission Viejo! We're grateful to serve such a great community. Larry’s Independent Service feels lucky to serve the great people of Mission Viejo, and we are so grateful for your business. We have a lot of things to be thankful for this year, and we want to take some time out of this month to do it.  We're grateful to serve such a great community. We feel so much gratitude for being part of this community. Our small business owners are part of the fabric of this city, and we couldn't ask for better neighbors. We love supporting them and helping them succeed, and we are grateful they help us do the same. Our customers are loyal, which we think is really special. We are in business because of our customers. Without them, we wouldn’t ... read more

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash   Fall is the perfect time to enjoy the bounty of Orange County. From pumpkin festivals to fall-themed haunted houses, we’ve covered you when celebrating all things fall. This season, you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate all things pumpkin and apple in Mission Viejo. Check out the color change at Crystal Cove State Park. Crystal Cove State Park is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. Located in Laguna Beach, California, Crystal Cove has hiking trails, beach access, and some picnic areas. You can bring your kids here to enjoy outdoor fun in nature without having them get bored or cranky. Pumpkin City. Pumpkin City is a fun place to visit for the whole family. There are many activities for kids and adults alike, and it’s a must-see in the fall. It’s also a quick trip from Mission Viejo, so you can even plan it as an a ... read more

What Larry’s Independent Service Can Do For Your Car Larry’s Independent Service in Mission Viejo, CA has provided our community with expert repairs and excellent customer service for years. We know that the residents of our little slice of sunshine have lots of options when it comes to auto repair--and we are so grateful for the customers who come back to us time and time again.  We can provide you with car care services. Larry’s Independent Service is your one-stop shop for all things car services. This includes your basic oil filter changes, transmission services, fluid top-off, and help with your windshield wipers. We can also diagnose any issues you’re experiencing and provide you with the realistic best course of action for your vehicle with your budget and priorities in mind.  Come see us for help with your brakes. Larry’s Independent Service can provide expert brake services to keep your vehicle safe on the road. We do diagnosis, pad ... read more

Back To School Tune-Up Photo by Wokandapix on Pixabay College students and parents are getting ready for another school year. With all of the hustle and bustle of getting school supply lists checked off and dorm rooms set up (or prepping your carpool for another year of hauling little ones), car maintenance is the last thing anyone wants to worry about. However, it's one of those back-to-school essentials--I'd argue it's more important than pencils!  Most families are used to doing a quick once-over of their car–but sometimes it's a good idea to have a professional give you a tune-up.  Most families are used to doing a quick once-over of their car, but sometimes it's a good idea to have a professional look at some important systems in the car. You can't see everything going on under the hood, and even if you have the right tools, you ... read more

Photo by N23 Club on Pixabay Mission Viejo, it is hot! We can’t say we are surprised, not logically. Summertime is scorching in California, and Mission Viejo can be one of the hotter spots on the map. However, each year it seems like the heat feels a bit warmer, and sometimes it feels like there’s no summer like the one we’re having.   A big reason that you may feel hotter this summer than last is because of your vehicle. Try to think back and remember the last time you got your A/C looked at, or think back to a time when your car wasn’t quite that hot during your morning commute. If you recognize through some reflection that your car might be making the heat worse, we’ve got some tips for you. Some Easy Heat Wave Tips As Californians, we all have our own go-to heat beating tricks. If you’re new here or ... read more

Photo by Pexels on Pixabay   Planning Your First Long Road Trip of 2022 It’s time, Mission Viejo!   Summer 2022 is here, and you may be preparing for your first long road trip of the year. It’s so fun to plan the food, the sites, and the adventures–but let’s take some time to talk about the less glamorous stuff. Whether you’re headed across the USA or on your way to Laguna Beach, you should plan for any situation. Doing a quick check of all the vitals helps keep you safer, it gives you peace of mind. Before heading out, make sure to consider:   Gas stations. Planning for gas stations may seem tedious, but it’s essential. This is a crucial consideration if you’re going on a more extended road trip. Make sure you have the gas stations you want to stop at figured out because there may co ... read more

Photo by Obi on Unsplash The Truth About Air Conditioning Issues Summertime is nearly here, so it’s time we told you the truth about air conditioning issues: they can be pretty tricky to figure out at first glance. There are many moving parts and pieces to your vehicle's air conditioner. As if the AC system wasn’t complex enough, the climate of your car also has a lot to do with other parts in your car.    In fact, sometimes, an air conditioning issue has more to do with your air filters or your radiator. This isn’t always the case, but it’s worth considering. Most commonly, you’re going to find that an AC issue has something to do with one of the following: AC System Leak. Other symptoms of this problem include a hissing sound and hot air coming out of your system even when you have the AC turned to cold.  AC Pressure Switch Issue ... read more

Photo by webandi on Pixabay   Washing Your Car By Hand Again For Spring Spring weather can be… unpredictable. The warmer weather entices us to go on a long car ride with the windows down, while the impending rain deters us from touchless car washes. It becomes a Catch 22. On pretty days, you want a pleasant drive with a clean vehicle. But why spend money on a professional car wash if you know rain is in the forecast?    Thankfully, these concepts aren’t mutually exclusive. You can show off your hotrod without paying for a touchless car wash every few days. If you choose to hand wash your vehicle, you’ll save a little money and get to spend a little more time outdoors. It’s a win-win! Simple Hand Washing Tips  Handwashing doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need any fancy tools or products (though they certainly don’t hur ... read more

Photo by skica911 on Pixabay   Do you already know what you’re going to spend your tax refund on? Sometimes, money is very tight, and a tax refund can be the only real bonus we see in a year’s time. Especially if you’re living paycheck to paycheck -- car maintenance is probably the last thing on your mind.    But what if we told you that preventative maintenance, though costly upfront, can help you get ahead? Though it’s not flashy or luxurious, you should consider paying it forward towards preventive maintenance on your car.  Consider reinvesting in your car! Giving your car some TLC keeps it running well and prevents you from paying thousands down the road. There’s nothing more disappointing than getting your car into the shop just to find whatever clunking or smoking going on could have been prevented had you brought it in a month ear ... read more