Drive safe and breathe easy with Southern California Jiffy Lube’s Vehicle Inspection and Emission Testing

Services — admin @ 7:47 am

When California drivers first register a vehicle or seek to renew an existing registration, a vehicle safety inspection and emission test may be required. The purpose of this article is to explain when a vehicle safety inspection or an emission test is required in California, what is involved, and where to go for these services.

Safety inspections are required when a vehicle is sold or a non-resident vehicle is first registered.  Emission or Smog Testing is required every other time a registration renewal is due.  A complete list of counties requiring emissions testing and more information can be found at the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Emission testing and safety inspections can be quick and easy at authorized service locations.  A vehicle inspection includes a check of the following:  horn, windshield wipers, rearview mirror, steering, seat belts, brakes, tires, wheel assembly, exhaust system, headlights, tail lights, break lights, and turn signals. Emission testing measures gas exhaust to determine if fuel burning chemicals like hydrocarbons, carbon monoxides, and nitrous oxides are emitted within controlled limits.

Each year registered California drivers receive a renewal notice informing them if emission testing is required for that year.  The following vehicles are exempt from emissions testing:

• Hybrid and electric
• Gasoline powered 1975 model or older
• Diesel powered 1997 and older with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than 14,000 lbs.
• Natural gas powered ( GVWR rating of more than 14,000 lbs.)
• Motorcycle
• Trailer

A vehicle is also exempt if it is less than six model years old.  However, the owner is required to pay an annual smog abatement fee.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles may require a vehicle owner to go to a special STAR station for emissions testing for a variety of reasons such as previously failed an emission test.  However, most vehicle owners can locate a vehicle maintenance service retailer through the yellow pages or the California DMV website.  For a Jiffy Lube that performs vehicle safety inspection and emission testing check our website for locations near you.  Make sure you call ahead to ensure that your preferred service center offer California inspections and emission testing.

 

Recycling Used Motor Oil—an Easy Way to Pull the Plug on Waste and Pollution

Automotive Tips — admin @ 9:09 am

Did you know that Jiffy Lube in Southern California makes it easy for you to save energy, conserve natural resources, and protect the water supply by changing your vehicle’s oil? When motor oil is changed at a Jiffy Lube, it’s drained and collected for recycling. Even if you are a do-it-yourself (DIY) person, you can drop off used oil at any of our locations.

As we all know, used motor oil gets dirty but it never loses value. Recycling oil means removing impurities like dirt, heavy metals, chemicals, and water so the oil can be re-refined into lubricating base oils used to make engine oils. In fact, the re-refined oil is equal to and sometimes even better than crude oil. For example, it takes 42 gallons of crude oil, but only one gallon of used oil, to produce 2.5 quarts of new high-quality lubricating oil. The used oil may also be processed and burned for heat or used in power plants to generate electricity. For instance, just 2 gallons of recycled motor oil will power the average American household for almost 24 hours, so saving energy is definitely a benefit of recycling used motor oil. (Source: www.epa.gov)

In addition to energy savings, oil recycling avoids damage to the environment, most directly our water supply.  The oil from just one vehicle oil change contains enough potentially harmful elements to contaminate one million gallons of fresh water or an entire year’s supply for 50 people. Therefore, it’s important to recycle used motor oil such that it isn’t discarded in a harmful way.  Inappropriate disposal of used motor oil, such as dumping onto the ground, into public water supply, or tossed into the trash, is harmful and definitely unnecessary given easy recycling options through express oil change service businesses across the state.

Working together, we can save energy, conserve natural resources, and protect our water supply.  Whether you use a vehicle maintenance service center or you’re a DIY’er, when your vehicle’s oil is changed, make certain the used motor oil is collected and saved for recycling.  Please visit our website for more information and make sure you look for the money saving oil change coupons to print off and bring when you come in for your next oil change service.

 

3 ways to find oil change and vehicle maintenance deals at Jiffy Lube

Promotions — admin @ 8:39 am

If you are looking for great service at a great price, Jiffy Lube is the place to go. Throughout the year we have seasonal promotions, and here are three ways to find them:

1. Visit the coupon section on our website. This is the place to find major discounts on oil change services, and these will alternate during the year.
2. Find special deals available at your local Jiffy Lube. You can find these on our location specific pages, simply by using the drop-down menu or by typing in your zip code and selecting the Jiffy Lube location closest to you.
3. Download the Jiffy Lube iPhone app and always have access to Jiffy Lube in your pocket.

Vehicle maintenance is essential in order to ensure that your vehicle is ready to go when you are. Take advantage of our deals to lessen the burden of this necessary expense.

Earth Day is today- what can you do for our planet?

Community Involvement — admin @ 9:05 am

Every year on April 22^nd, people across the globe focus on raising awareness to the amazing planet we call home. This date is Earth Day and the main goal is to highlight the state of the Earth and what we can do to protect it.

We at Jiffy Lube in Southern California want to do our part when it comes to taking action for our planet; therefore we recycle all oil that comes through our facilities. This is something we not only do during Earth Day, but every day of the year! In fact, we recycle our own oil as well as any motor oil dropped off at our locations.

When you visit the Jiffy Lube Southern California website, you can view our recycling counter which calculates the millions of quarts of oil that we have recycled since 2011. The counter keeps on ticking and we keep on recycling. Please do your part for the planet and recycle your motor oil, whether it is bringing in your used oil to a Jiffy Lube location near you, or swinging by for a quick oil change.

 

Get a thorough vehicle checkup with the Jiffy Lube Signature Oil Change

Services — admin @ 12:32 pm

When you come in to a Southern California Jiffy Lube location and ask for our Signature Oil Change, know that you’re getting a lot for your money.

Not only will we change the oil and the oil filter, but we will also check and fill up the following essential fluids:

• Power steering fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Transfer case fluid
• Differential fluid
• Windshield washer fluid
• Battery water

Furthermore, we will check the brake fluid level, antifreeze/ coolant reservoir level and tire pressure and ensure that the wiper blades, serpentine belt, exterior lights and engine air filtration system performs like it should. And once we’ve completed all these check-ups, we will make certain your vehicle looks fresh by cleaning the exterior of the windows and vacuuming the floors.

In essence, swinging by for an oil change can turn into a preventive maintenance care, which will keep your vehicle happy and healthy in the long term. We often have discount oil change coupons on our website, frequently including our Jiffy Lube Signature Service Oil Change, so print out an oil change coupon and come by today.

 

New minimum sound requirements for hybrid vehicles

Technology — admin @ 1:42 pm

Have you ever been in a parking lot or on a quiet street and been surprised by a hybrid car sneaking up right behind you? Both hybrid and electric vehicles are known for being essentially soundless at low speeds and this has proven to be a safety hazard.  According to Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, a hybrid car driving a speed level below 35 mph, has a 39% higher likelihood of a pedestrian involved accident vs. a non-hybrid. The reason is of course that the pedestrian can’t hear the vehicle approaching and take the appropriate precautions, and this is especially important when it comes to visibly impaired pedestrians or young children.

In January 2013, the US Department of Transportation submitted a proposal that ALL hybrid and electric vehicles should meet a minimum sound standard at speeds below 18 miles per hour.  Each vehicle manufacturer could determine the sound each particular make and model would have, as long as it stays consistent throughout that type.  Some manufacturers have already started implementing this safety feature, for example, the Nissan Leaf introduced its ‘airplane’ sound at low speeds back in 2010.

Time will tell if a minimum sound requirement eventually will be enforced, but from a safety standpoint, we hope that more and more vehicle manufacturers will take this initiative on their own.

 

 

How to improve gas mileage on a vehicle

Automotive Tips,Services — admin @ 9:39 am

With gas prices steadily on the increase here in California, many people are wondering what can be done to minimize those trips to the gas station. We at Jiffy Lube in Southern California have compiled a list of common causes to bad gas mileage and also some suggested solutions how to improve the mileage you get out of each fill-up.

Cause #1

Accelerating and breaking

Solution: Keep an even speed.

Why is that? Alternating speeds, and especially the acceleration process, requires the vehicle to use more gas.

 

Cause #2

Driving faster than 60 mph

Solution: Attempt to keep the overall driving speed below 60 mph

Why is that? This is the speed where many vehicles become less efficient and utilizes more fuel in order to perform at their fullest capacity.

 

Cause #3

Running multiple quick errands

Solution: Compile all those short errands to one long “get it all over with” errand

Why is that? The process of starting the engine, heating it up and idling all require extra effort and therefor uses more gas. By combining many shorter trips the vehicle only requires these actions once.

 

Cause #4

A heavy vehicle

Solution: Unload unnecessary items from the trunk.

Why is that? The heavier a vehicle is, the more gas it needs to keep it going.

 

Cause #5

Underinflated tires

Solution: Ensure that all tires are inflated per the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation.

Why is that? If a tire is underinflated, more area of the tire connects to the road underneath, which creates more resistance and ultimately reduces the gas mileage.

 

Cause #6

The roof rack

Solution: Remove the roof rack any time you’re not using it.

Why is that? Even a slim model roof rack will increase the air resistance and demand the engine to work harder.

 

Cause #7

Not sufficient maintenance/ tune-ups

Solution: Bring your car to a Jiffy Lube location near you for a maintenance service.

Why is that? Items like the oxygen sensor, spark plugs, air & fuel filters need to be in good condition in order to not waste gas mileage.

 

Cause #8

Use of incorrect oil grade

Solution: Make sure your vehicle gets the correct oil as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Why is that: Using the recommended grade of oil will improve the performance of the vehicle and subsequently gas mileage.

 

Visit a Jiffy Lube location near you to have a thorough maintenance regime performed on your vehicle. With our abundant preventive automotive care offerings, you can feel confident that we will do our part in helping you get the most out of your budget. Also keep in mind that we have great deals on oil change services as well as location specific promotions, so make sure to print out an oil change coupon and swing by.

Top 7 vehicle maintenance regimens you shouldn’t skimp out on

Automotive Tips,Services — admin @ 1:28 pm

Most people are aware of the importance of regular oil changes on their vehicle, but there are additional items that should also be included in a vehicle maintenance regime. Below we are listing the top 7 maintenance “musts” in order to keep your vehicle running smoothly:

1. Oil change-  Over time, things like antifreeze fluid, dust and metallic particles will contaminate the motor oil. This contamination can cause oil sludge, which in turn can stick to the inside of the engine and eventually cause engine failure. Jiffy Lube will work with you to decide the oil change frequency that best suit your vehicle; based on driving habits and vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
2. Oil filter change-  The oil filter removes contaminants in the motor oil, allowing the oil to better flow through the engine. A clean filter will improve gas mileage and minimize risk for engine damage.
3. Engine air filter-  This filter prevents harmful dirt to enter the engine and thereby creates a good and strong airflow. The benefit is reduced emissions, increased fuel economy and better engine performance.
4. Fuel filter-  Any time you fill up the tank condensation and moisture will eventually create rust, and no matter how careful you are there might be small amounts of dirt entering the tank.  The purpose of the fuel filter is to collect any debris or rust before it contaminates the fuel tank.
5. Automatic transmission fluid filter-  If this filter is clogged or dirty, you can experience erratic transmission shifts and sub-par performance of the transmission.
6. PCV valve/Breathers-  PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation and its purpose is to re-route moisture and combustion byproducts into the intake manifold where they are re-used. If this valve is not being exchanged, oil contamination occurs, which can lead to oil sludge and engine failure.
7. Cabin air filters-  This filter removes pollutions from the outside air before it enters your vehicle, and specifically the passenger compartment. A clean filter will also enhance the capacity of the air conditioning system.

When you visit Jiffy Lube Southern California locations for our oil change service, as part of the service we will check the oil filter and the engine air filtration system. We also offer specific air filtration services where we can replace the engine air filter or the cabin air filter if required, as well as a dedicated service for the fuel system. Check the Jiffy Lube website prior to stopping by to make sure that your preferred location has the exact service offering that you’ll need. There you can also find discount oil change coupons, as well as great location specific deals.

Top two tire maintenance basics and a technical tool available on newer vehicles

Automotive Tips,Services — admin @ 2:11 pm

Have you ever considered that when you are in a vehicle, the only thing that connects you to the road underneath is your tires? The basic function of the tires is to handle the steering of the car through traction, while moving it forward. Tires also help with eliminating unevenness caused by the driving surface below. Keeping that in mind, perhaps you should take better care of those rubbery things, right?

There are two main tire maintenance items we at Jiffy Lube in Southern California recommend be performed on a regular basis:

1. Check the tire pressure.  Correct tire pressure will extend the life of the tires, ensure safer handling, and improve fuel economy. Tire pressure checks can easily be done at most gas stations with a tire pressure gage and the tire placard as a guideline or Jiffy Lube also includes this check as part of its Signature Service^R Oil Change.  If you have vehicles built after 2007 they will have a technology called TPMS. TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System which provides an electronic system with an indicator light on your dashboard if tire pressure fails to the point of needing inflation.   There are two different kinds of TPMS, direct and indirect, that measure either individual tire pressure or different tire roll speeds. Both will give you an indicator light letting you know a tire may be underinflated.  However, neither of these systems will adjust the air in the tires; that remains a physical task that you or a service technician will need to do.

2. Rotate the tires. Rotating the tires of a vehicle will evenly distribute the wear, thereby improve traction and extend the life of the tires. If you come by our Jiffy Lube Southern California locations, we can rotate the tires of your vehicle, all in accordance to the vehicle and tire manufacturers’ recommended pattern. When you return within 500 miles of a tire rotation service, we will re-torque the lug nuts/ bolts for free as an extra safety check.

Keep in mind that these maintenance items are important for your tires to provide you with a safe and smooth ride.  Any time you visit us for a Jiffy Lube Signature Service® Oil Change one of the things on our checklist is a tire pressure check and you can also add a Tire Rotation service for a little extra time and money.

 

Jiffy Lube discusses the risk of odometer fraud when buying a used vehicle

Automotive Tips,Services — admin @ 8:32 am

Jiffy Lube in Southern California would like to shed some light on Odometer Fraud, something that can be an issue when purchasing a used vehicle.  Odometer fraud has occurred if a seller has tampered with the odometer to make it seem that the vehicle has less mileage than it has actually traveled. This practice is classified as a felony, and can result in fines and even prison time.

Most prone to this kind of fraud are late model vehicles that have been used in lease and rental fleets.  According to “AIM mobile inspections,” odometer fraud has increased 30% since the beginning of 2011.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that over 450,000 vehicles with tampered odometers are sold every year in the US resulting in buyers being cheated out of over $1 billion per year.  If you are in the market for a used vehicle be aware and take precautions as it can not only affect the value of the vehicle but also make it more likely that costly repairs will be in your future.

So how can you tell if the odometer has been tampered with?

• The first step is to look at a vehicle’s Title or Certificate of Registration. This document should contain information about the odometer history and can be obtained through the local Department of Motor Vehicles office.  Also ask the seller for maintenance and inspection records.  Review any and all that are available as most service orders will contain an odometer reading.
• Closely inspect the vehicle, paying extra attention to wear on pedals and floor mats, usually indicative of the age of a vehicle.  Also look out for items that look suspiciously new as these can have been replaced in order to make the vehicle appear newer.
• If the vehicle has the old fashioned odometer, make sure all numbers are straight and even, as these often are not lined up if the odometer has been changed.  The auto industry developed the digital odometer with the purpose of making this practice more difficult.  Unfortunately, even these can easily be tampered with, using inexpensive software found on the Internet.
• Checking the tires is a good next step.  If the odometer reading is less than 20,000 the vehicle most likely will have the original tires.  It should raise a flag if a vehicle with this mileage has brand new tires.
• You may also find information through CarFax but there’s usually a charge for these reports.
• Always take the vehicle out for a test drive to ensure a smooth ride and if you still feel uncertain, have a professional mechanic look it over.

We hope these tips will be helpful in avoiding odometer fraud when you are buying a used vehicle.  We also hope that after you buy a used vehicle you will bring it to Jiffy Lube for a complete set of preventative maintenance services so you have confidence that your “new-to-you” vehicle will be ready to roll.  Remember that whenever you need vehicle preventive maintenance our Jiffy Lube Southern California locations will provide assistance through engine services, oil changes, and safety inspections and emissions testing. Our on-going goal is to provide excellent service at a great value. To further maximize your savings, go to our website and print out a discount Jiffy Lube oil change coupon prior to your visit.

 

 

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