Mission Viejo Auto Repair

Larry’s Independent Service in Mission Viejo knows how much you love your car. That’s why we don’t want you to neglect showing it some love this Valentine’s Day. Imagine a day without your car and how bummed you would be if that were the case. Now is the time to show your car a little love. You can never go wrong doing so and will always reap the benefits. Here are 5 ways you can show that love this Valentine’s Day:  Take time to check all of your car’s fluids. Each one contributes to keeping your vehicle running at its best. You’ll want all fluids to be at optimal levels and clear of dirt and debris.  Tires are often neglected, but when cared for can significantly improve your fuel efficiency as well as properly grip the road and even help you stop in time. The way to help your tires wear down evenly is to have them regularly rotated, aligned, and air pressure kept at the right levels of inflation. All the belts and hoses should b ... read more

As we move into the new decade, this is a wonderful time to reflect on habits that have served us well and maybe ones that aren’t so great. If you take a close look at your driving habits, that’s an area that we could all take the time to reflect upon and find areas that need improving.  The number one bad driving habit that most people not only complain about but also do is using your cell phone while driving. We can’t help it! We HAVE to see who called or quickly read the text that is so important. As human beings, we are wired that way. When we receive a text, it releases dopamine into our system and makes us happy. However, we won’t be happy if we end up in a ditch or worse. Slow down. Don’t be in such a hurry. Give yourself a few extra minutes so you don’t feel compelled to speed. Take a moment and breathe. Even if you are running late, let it go! It’s better to be late than to be dead. No wants a ticket either! Turns signals were ... read more

It’s the reason for the season: giving! There are some wonderful ways to give and it’s always nice when a gift you give is both fun and practical.  But who says it always has to be a gift for a person? A great way to accomplish that is to buy some gifts for your car. So, let’s take a look at the range of practical to fun gifts you can give to your car that will make you happy and hopefully help make all the trips in your car that much better. Auto Detailing Look into a detailing for your car. It’s like a spa treatment, and who wouldn’t want a spa treatment for Christmas? Detailing is going to help provide some practical benefits as well as more superficial ones. Practically speaking, you’re going to get the gunk and dirt removed from your car, which is going to help protect the integrity of its appearance and help with functionality. The polishing and waxing that comes along with it will help protect that appearance, making this a worthy choic ... read more

Buying a car requires a number of decisions and planning to make sure you’re getting what you need, what you want, and at a price you can afford. So, once you’ve decided on the car and options that you want, you’re likely ready to just go to the dealership and buy. However, there are certain times of year, and even during the week, that are better for bringing your car home. Since it is recommended that you don’t wait until you’re in active need for a new car, waiting for those times of year are really going to help save you money without compromise.  The savings start to grow in October, and by November, it’s peak time to head to the lots and start looking for the best deals you can find. Here are a few reasons that this time of the year are really the time to shop.  Sales Quotas As you get towards the end of the year, or even the end of the month, salespeople are going to be more aware of how many cars they’ve sold ... read more

Just like your home, cleaning for the season is going to help you feel better and potentially help protect your car for the incoming weather changes from the summer seasons. There are some every season things we can do just to make our rides more comfortable, but there are some fall specific cleaning we can do to really extend the life of our car’s performance. A couple of simple things we can do to help our car is to regularly clean of debris like twigs, leaves, and muck. This is really going to extend the life of your windshield wipers, but it is also going to help protect you and keep your visibility clear. Fall means it gets darker and the weather isn’t always pleasant. Speaking of windshield wipers, don’t forget to check them and change them if needed, this will also help ensure your visibility is the best it can be. Many folks don’t always consider going to get the car washed if we’re potentially seeing poor weather coming up, but something to look i ... read more

With football season here, tailgating ensues! Making sure you have everything you need for tailgating is very important. You want to make sure you have fun while also being prepared. Here at Larry’s Independent Service, we want to make sure you have what you need, here is our tailgating kit list: A good cooler, investing in a nice cooler will save you money in the long run. It will keep everything colder for longer, they tend to be more sturdy and you won't have to be constantly replacing your cooler. Extra containers and bags, having some extra containers and plastic bags can help make your cleanup easier. You know that you will have dirty utensils from grilling and maybe even some food left over. Having something to put them in will make it a lot easier to clean up.  A pop-up tent, whether it be rain or shine you want to be prepared. Having some shade for a really sunny day or some shelter from the rain will make your tailgating experience a lot better. A portable ... read more

When you head out of town for an extended vacation, work commitment, or another obligation, it’s important that you not only have a great pet sitter but that you also have someone awesome to check on your car. Definitely, don’t leave your car with just anyone. Vette them out to ensure they meet all of your specific requirements.  Your car is precious to you and it, therefore, demands the attention of someone trustworthy to care for it while you are away. Depending on the needs of your vehicle, you’ll want to choose accordingly. If it needs to be taken out for the occasional spin around the block, look for someone with a clean driving record and also someone not inclined to go for a serious joyride while not considering the nuances of your baby.  You will definitely want to have someone start it regularly even if it doesn’t need to be actually driven anywhere. Make sure they look under the hood for any animal nesting possibilities to prevent the likel ... read more

Fourth of July barbecues, annual street fair, and other festivities are always a blast but everyone can agree that the best part of this holiday is the fireworks. Everyone piles into cars and drives to find the best spot to park and watch the explosion in the sky. If you aren’t sure where the best place is to view fireworks this year check out a few of these places in Orange County.  Every year there is the Annual Street Faire located on Olympiad Road, which has a carnival feel with its games, music, rides, and delicious food. The fair ends with a huge firework show that takes your breath away. You can park your car and watch from the comfort of your own seat or lay down a blanket and enjoy.  Dana Point’s fireworks extravaganza has the best aerial firework show. You will be blown away as the fireworks explode over Doheny State Beach and make you feel patriotic. You can also tune into the local KSBR 88.5 Fm radio and listen along to the music. If you don’t ... read more

The weather is getting hot, you have your summer vacation planned out, and you just purchased some new summer attire. You think you’re all set for summer and ready to soak up the sun. You forgot one thing though; getting your car ready for all your spontaneous summer adventures! Start by taking your car in for an oil change. By getting your oil changed now means you can hop in your car and take a day trip at any time without having to worry about your oil. Have you checked out your tires recently? Tires help with your car's performance and safety. You can take your vehicle in to get them inspected or do it at home by looking for any bubbles, low air, or visible wear and tear. Get your tires rotated and replaced if needed. Don’t forget your spare tire, it’s the hero without a cape when you get a flat tire; make sure it's in great condition too.  Warmer weather usually means people are driving a bit faster than they did in the winter which means your brak ... read more

Mission Viejo is most commonly known for our tree-filled neighborhoods and suburban culture. If you live or work in Mission Viejo and want to get out of our sweet city, we have put together a list of the top ten road trip destinations near you!  Stop by Larry’s Independent Service to ensure your car is fully functioning and prepared for a long stretch of road. 1. San Diego A short hour and a half drive will get you to here from Mission Viejo, and if you’re only staying for a day you’ll want to leave early in the morning to fit everything in! Check out the Seaport Village and browse through the Victorian-style shops or visit Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in North America.  2. Big Bear Lake It will only take you two hours to get to the beautiful Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains. Around the lake, you can go horseback riding, kayak, fish, zipline, or go to the Big Bear Alpine Zoo! If you want an ... read more