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AAA
Approved 20 Yrs.
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ASE
Certified Master Tech
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QUALITY
REPAIR
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Toyota,
Honda, Lexus, Nissan, Infiniiti, Acura, Mitsubishi, Hyundia,
Isuzu, Subaru, Mazda, Hybrids, Saturn, Land Rover, BMW, GM,
Ford, Mercedes, Volvo, Chrysler,
Volkswagen, and more.
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Auto
Repair Service Mission Viejo Serves:
Rancho Santa Margarita,
Lake Forest, Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, Irvine,
Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills, Trabucco Canyon, Aliso Viejo,
Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, San Juan Capistrano, Tustin,
Coto De Caza, Dove Canyon, El Toro, Ladera Ranch, Talega,
San Clemente, Newport Beach, Newport Cost, Costa Mesa, Santa
Ana, Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Villa Park, Orange, Orange
Heights, Lemon Heights, Northwood, Woodbridge, Monarch Beach,
Nellie Gail, Crystal Cove, UCI, University
of California, John Wayne Airport, SNA, JWA, Dana Point
and Beyond!
We
can work on the following Cars, Trucks, Vans, SUVs, and
RVs: Toyota,
Honda, Lexus, Nissan, Infiniiti, Acura, Mitsubishi, Hyundia,
Isuzu, Subaru, Mazda, Saturn, Land Rover, BMW, GM, GMC,
Ford, Mercedes, Hummer, Jaguar, Volvo, Chrysler,
Volkswagen, Volvo, Saab,
Kia, Audi,
Cadillac, Chevrolet,
Buick, Aston
Martin, Alfa Romeo,
Ferrari, Oldsmobile,
Peugeot, Porsche, Saturn,
Pontiac,Corvette, Lincoln, Daewoo, Mercedes-Benz,
Daimler AG, Holden, Opel, Dodge, Plymoth, Rolls-Royce,
Prius,
Highlander, Camry, Civic, Accent, Insight, Escape, Tahoe,
GS 450h, Lexus LS 600h L, RX 400h, Mercury Mariner, Altima,
Datsun, Blue Bird, SunnyBrook, Airstream, National RV, Thor,
Starcraft, Georgie Boy, Rexhall, Holiday Rambler, Dutchmen,
Newmar, Jayco, R-Vision, Keystone, Monaco, Forest River,
Gulf Stream, Coachmen, Fleetwood, Winnebago.
Simplicity
is the ultimate sophistication.
- Leonardo da Vinci
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| F
A Q - Frequently Asked Questions |
|
 How
often do I need a tune up?
About every 2 years or every 30,000 miles
Why do I need "scheduled maintenance?"
Regular scheduled maintenance practices will often
find small problems and keep them from becoming
bigger problems. But remember, no matter how well
you take care of your vehicle, there is always
something that could fail. No one can predict
the future!
How often should I change my fuel filter?
Every 15,000 miles or once a year. (Not changing
the fuel filter on-time is a leading cause for
electric fuel pump early failure)
My "check engine light" just came on,
but the car is still running okay. What should
I do?
Even thought the car is "still running okay" you
should have a computer diagnosis done to find
out why the check engine light came on. It can
be driven like that, but it should be checked
as soon as possible.
My car just "clicks" when I try to start
it. What is wrong?
- Possible weak battery.
- For later model Ford vehicles (mid to late
1990's) a possible ignition switch electrical
failure.
- Starter solenoid failure, high resistance
in start system wiring.
- The starter is bad and needs to be replaced.
- The battery cables and clamps are dirty, corroded
or loose.
- You should have the the Starting/Charging
system checked and repaired.
My battery light is on. What should I
do?
First, don't shut the engine off unless you have
to. It may not start again. Maybe the alternator
belt broke or came off. With serpentine belt tensioners,
failures are common on later model vehicles.
This is most often an alternator that has failed.
You should have your vehicle charging system checked
for proper operation and repaired if needed.
What is that "clicking" sound when I
turn?
That "clicking" noise you hear is most likely
a CV axle that has a torn boot and dirt and debris
has gotten in and the grease has all been thrown
out. The CV axle needs to be replaced (replacing
only the torn boot will NOT cure the noise).
Most common on Imports: Honda, Subaru, Nissan,
Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi and on most any front
wheel drive vehicle. But Honda is the most common.
Why do my brakes squeal?
In the old days, brake pads were made of asbestos,
which, a few years ago, was outlawed by the federal
government. Most brake pads now are made of hard,
semi-metallic materials. One result is that brake
squeal has become common, as the hard brake pad
grinds on the steel rotor. This is normal and
is not necessarily an indication of brake failure.
On the other hand, squealing brakes may also mean
your pads are worn out, and the metal behind the
pad is scraping against the rotor. A brake inspection
is the only way to find out for sure. Using cheap
generic pads can cause squeal as well and could
cause a lot of dust on the rim.
Why should I get an Alignment for my car?
The wheels on your car will often get out of "align"
on your car, causing premature tire wear, as well
as handling problems. On older cars, this problem
was limited to the front wheels, but on most newer
cars it affects all four wheels, which is why
the 4-wheel alignment has become the standard.
Many parts of your suspension (tie rod ends, idler
arms, control arm bushings, ball joints, struts,
et cetera) have a part in keeping your wheels
in line over a wide variety of conditions. If
any of those are bent or worn, they will throw
your wheels out of alignment. If the car seems
to pull to the left or the right when letting
go of the steering wheel, you should defiantly
have the alignment checked. Pull may also be caused
by radial tires.
Why do you recommend a fuel injector service?
Fuel injectors can cost a hundred dollars or more
a piece, and you may have one for each cylinder.
Cleaning them before they are plugged can remove
harmful deposits and keep them spraying in top
form. After they plug, replacement is sometimes
the only option. It is very important to keep
the fuel injector clean,
The most common form of injector fouling comes
from unused gasoline evaporating inside the injector
after you turn the car off.
Fouled injectors may give no overt symptoms,
even while they are cutting your mileage and pumping
extra pollution into the air. When they get bad
enough, they can cause hard starting, hesitation,
and loss of power. On a scope, they will show
the cylinders out of balance on a power balance
test. In order to pass a smog inspection, they
have to be inspected and properly cleaned.
The first two things to try for cleaning your
injectors are using premium fuel, which has more
detergents, and putting a fuel additive in your
gas tank. These will be only partly successful,
however. For the best results, a technician will
disconnect the engine from its gas supply and
feed pressurized solvent directly into the fuel
rail in order to flush out the injectors.
Failing that, injectors can be removed from the
car, their fuel spray patterns tested, and they
can be more extensively cleaned. Sometimes, nothing
works and the injectors must be replaced.
Have a question about your car? Call us
at: (949)
830-4204
| * MORE Important FAQ Info |
| What
are some tips I can teach my children about
basic car maintenance? |
|
You may have
teenagers in your household learning
to drive. Along with all of your safety
instructions, teaching them a few simple
lessons about their car could easily
save you thousands of dollars.
An oil warning light (or low pressure
on the oil gauge) means get off the
road and park the car now.
Too often, new drivers have too much
else to think about to worry much about
all those warning lights. Too many think
that just a few more miles home won't
matter. Too often, that means a $3,000
engine job. It is one of those life
lessons that most of us (including mom
and dad) can live without.
An engine temperature light (or temperatures
in the red on a gauge) means get
off the road and park the car now.
This is just as fatal to engines as
running them without oil.
An alternator light (or high or low
readings on the alternator gauge) should
also be dealt with quickly. The negative
consequences are not as severe as the
other two gauges, usually only a stalled
car or one that will not start. In some
circumstances, however, thousand dollar
computers can be ruined by an electrical
system gone haywire.
Of course you don't want to forget the
brake warning light. When it comes on,
it is a sign that something is seriously
wrong with your brakes. When your car
doesn't go, it is an inconvenience.
When it doesn't stop, it is a disaster.
In short, those warning lights and gauges
are there for a reason. They give you
a WARNING.
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|
Is it better to repair
my car, or lease a new one? |
| |
It
may better to repair your car. Here's
why.
Today's automobiles are extraordinarily
complex and expensive. Many of us can
remember buying homes for less than
the cost of a new car today. With the
increase in cost has come many improvements.
Both gas consumption and pollution levels
have dropped with improved technology.
Cars have become far more durable and
reliable over the years.
If you take good care of your car, it
will take good care of you. You will
be miles ahead on your car investment
by running your car until it drops.
Compare the cost of repairs to the monthly
payments on a new car lease. And then
think about the extra sales and property
taxes on that new car. Don't forget
to add hundreds of dollars to your insurance
bill. Repairs look very reasonable indeed.
Just think of buying or leasing a
new car as making a major repair every
month for the next three years.
With proper maintenance, you will find
that the major repairs on the car you
are driving today are few and far between.
Auto Repair Mission Viejo looks forward
to being your partner in your car decisions.
First and foremost, that means routine
maintenance according to the recommendations
of the manufacturer of your vehicle.
Second, it usually means repairing the
vehicle you already own. Occasionally
it means it is finally time to let the
poor old beater give up the ghost. Then
we will help you check out the replacement
car, if you decide to buy a newer used
vehicle.
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| Air Conditioning |
| What
is happening to auto Air conditioning these
days? |
|
Auto a/c systems
are taking the heat on the environment.
Leaking R-12 damages the ozone layer,many
believe. Government rules have stopped
the manufacture of R-12, although there
are still large stockpiles available
for replacement refrigerant.
Prices have gone up dramatically for
R-12, up to $30 or more a pound in the
peak summer season. Since your car a/c
will take around three pounds, "recharging"
your a/c can be an expensive proposition.
There are options for retrofitting an
R-12 system. First is to upgrade it
to a R134-a system, like the ones going
into new cars. This is extremely expensive
if you have to replace major components
of the system. Usually you can do a
simpler retrofit, but at the cost of
slightly reduced performance from what
you have been used to with your R-12
system.
Another option is to use a "substitute"
for R-12. There are many on the market,
but none are a perfect replacement.
Some don't cool as well. Many are based
on the R-22 that is in your home air
conditioner, but R-22 leaks through
hoses much more quickly than R-12, requiring
an expensive replacement with barrier-style
hoses. Some black-market suppliers have
even sold flammable coolants, like propane,
which are both illegal and dangerous.
In any case, when a different refrigerant
is put into your system, all the old
R-12 must first be removed and the fittings
on your system changed so that no one
will accidentally add R-12 to it in
the future.
Leaks are not normal in your car a/c.
If you are adding more than a pound
of R-12 every other year, you most likely
have a leak. Unless major components
of your R-12 system have failed, we
recommend sticking with your system,
fixing your leaks, and keeping it in
top shape so that you need to put only
minimal amounts of R-12 into it in the
future.
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| Batteries |
| What
is a Battery Service, and why do you recommend
them? |
|
Nothing works
in your car without electricity. All
of that electricity comes from your
battery. It is the nature of electricity
that the connections between your cables
and battery attract crud and corrosion.
That corrosion will cut your electrical
connection. At best, it will make your
battery work harder than it should,
shortening its life. At worst, it will
strand you in a parking lot somewhere
without warning. Many of our tow-ins
need nothing more than cleaned connections.
Our battery service includes pulling,
checking, and cleaning the battery cables,
cleaning the battery posts, and installing
protective pads.
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|
| How
long can I expect my battery to last? |
|
The average
battery will last up to four or five
years, although in harsh conditions
(hot, cold) it may last only two to
three. However, life will be significantly
shorter if the battery is constantly
undercharged (from constant short trip
driving or an electrical problem) or
if the water level drops too low.
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| What
is a VAT test, and why do you recommend it
when my battery is dead? |
|
Our goal is
to keep you on the road. That is why
we always recommend doing a VAT (Volt
Amp Test) test whenever you have a dead
battery. Your battery may be dead simply
because it is old and tired. But it
may also be dead because your alternator
is malfunctioning, or for a dozen other
reasons. The VAT test is designed to
identify problems in your electrical
system so that we don't simply treat
the symptom of a dead battery, while
leaving you stranded down the road because
we didn't catch the problem that caused
your battery to go dead in the first
place.
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|
| Belts-N-Hoses |
| How
long do the belts in my car typically last? |
|
Your belts drive
critical systems of your car, including
your alternator which recharges your
battery, your water pump which keeps
your engine cool, your air conditioner
which keeps you cool, and your power
steering pump. If a belt breaks, the
effects can range from the simple inconvenience
of not having your air conditioning
to leaving you stranded in traffic to
overheating and ruining your engine.
V-belts will typically last three years
or 30,000 miles. Serpentine belts will
go farther, lasting five years or 50,000
miles. Belts will sometimes show visible
signs of age before they break, including
cracking, fraying, and glazing. Modern
belts often show no visible signs of
deterioration before they break, however.
|
|
| How
often should the hoses be replaced? |
|
Like belts,
hoses harden, split, or soften with
age. Sometimes the aging is visible.
Often, however, there are no outward
signs of problems before a hose bursts
or starts leaking. According to one
study, internal corrosion caused by
electrochemical reactions in the cooling
system is the leading cause of hose
failure. Hose manufacturers recommend
replacing hoses every four years.
|
|
| How
often should I replace the timing belt in
my car? |
|
Many of the
cars on the road today have timing belts.
They keep the valves and pistons in
your car in synch. These belts take
the place of a timing chain. The advantage
is that they are lighter and more fuel
efficient. The drawback is that they
wear out quicker. Like a fan belt, a
timing belt needs to be replaced before
it breaks. The timing belt needs to
be replaced every 50,000-60,000 miles
on most cars, but the exact interval
depends on the make and model of your
car.
If you wait too long and your belt breaks
while you are driving down the road,
your engine loses its coordination.
This can have horrible results. Your
pistons may hit your valves, causing
major damage to the head of your engine.
It is common for repair bills to run
$1000 to $2000 for this problem. Replacing
your timing belt is one maintenance
item you never want to skip. If you
don't know whether your engine has a
timing belt, or how often it needs to
replaced, give us a call.
|
|
| Do
you advise replacing the water pump when you
replace the timing belt? |
|
Replacing either
a water pump or a timing belt is almost
exactly the same job, labor-wise. That
is why we often recommend doing them
together, even if one doesn't immediately
need replacing. For most cars, the labor
is more than the part, so it makes sense
to take care of both at the same time.
Water pumps also have a fairly predictable
lifetime, and need replacing periodically.
And, when they go, you suddenly have
a severe overheating problem. Don't
drive your car another yard when that
temperature gauge pops up into the red.
Without your coolant being pumped through
the radiator, you can damage your engine
fast.
|
|
| Brakes |
| Why
do my brakes squeal? |
|
In the old days,
brake pads were made of asbestos, which,
a few years ago, was outlawed by the
federal government. Most brake pads
now are made of hard, semi-metallic
materials. One result is that brake
squeal has become common, as the hard
brake pad grinds on the steel rotor.
This is normal and is not necessarily
an indication of brake failure. On the
other hand, squealing brakes may also
mean your pads are worn out, and the
metal behind the pad is scraping against
the rotor. A brake inspection is the
only way to find out for sure.
|
|
| Why
should I have a brake flush done? |
|
We often recommend
that you flush your brake fluid, sometimes
because it is dirty, but sometimes simply
because it has been 30,000 miles since
your last brake flush.
New brake fluid is both clean and clear.
Dirty brake fluid is obvious. That dirt
and contamination will wear on all of
your hydraulic brake parts, particularly
your seals, causing them to fail prematurely.
But more important than the dirt in
your brake fluid is what you can't see:
the water.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means
it absorbs moisture. If you leave a
can of brake fluid open overnight, it
will be ruined by the moisture it soaks
up from the air. This is intentional.
Your brakes get so hot that they can
boil water. If water in your brakes
evaporates, your brakes will fade or
fail. The brake fluid prevents the water
from evaporating.
Over time, water will seep into your
brake system through the brake lines
and whenever the brake fluid cap is
off. Brake fluid absorbs 1%-2% water
each year. Old brake fluid can be 5-10%
water, which drops its boiling point
by 25-50%. In addition, the water will
corrode all the brake parts it touches.
Dot 3 & Dot 4 brake fluid are common
in most brake applications. Dot 5 does
not attract water and is occasionally
used in brake systems for that reason.
However, Dot 5 must never be mixed with
Dot 3 or Dot 4, and it must never be
used in an ABS brake system.
|
|
| What
are ABS brakes? |
|
Anti-lock brake
systems are both very simple and very
complicated. The systems are marvels
of engineering. The principles are simple:
the ABS computer will "pump" your brakes
for you thousands of times a second
and brake the wheels with the most traction
hardest, maximizing the efficiency of
your system. If anything goes wrong,
the ABS will simply stop working and
your brakes will revert to standard
operation.
ABS computer systems assume a properly
functioning brake system, so their efficiency
goes way down if your brakes are grabbing,
pulling, or pulsating. ABS makes it
more important than ever to have your
brake work done with skilled technicians
and the best parts.
It is doubly important to keep your
brake hydraulics in good shape. This
means doing periodic brake fluid flushes,
as well as quickly replacing any leaking
components. Leaks will allow foreign
material into your system, potentially
damaging extremely expensive ABS hydraulic
parts.
|
|
| Chassis |
| What
can you tell me about Steering Racks and Pumps? |
|
Steering racks
usually fail gradually. They operate
under very high pressures (up to 1,400
pounds per square inch), particularly
when you do sharp turns, as when parallel
parking. That pressure will gradually
weaken the valves and seals in the rack.
Typical symptoms includes visible leaks
and "morning sickness", where the steering
is heavy and sluggish first thing in
the morning, but improves after the
car warms up.
If you have a total loss of power steering,
it is more likely to be the power steering
pump or complete loss of steering fluid
through a bad hose than that it is the
rack. Buzzing or whining noises are
also signs of pump failure.
On the other hand, the sharp, high-pitched
squeal or chirping sound you often hear
in parking lots is usually nothing more
than a loose or bad power steering belt.
|
|
| What
do Shocks and Struts do for my car? |
|
Shocks and struts
dampen the movement of your wheels as
they roll over ruts and potholes in
the street. They make your ride smoother
and more comfortable. More importantly,
they make your ride safer. Without a
shock or strut, your wheel will bounce
out of a pothole and then keep bouncing.
Watch the other cars on the freeway.
Ones with worn out shocks will recover
much more slowly from road obstacles.
The most important job of the shocks
and struts is to keep your wheels on
the road, where they belong, so you
can maintain control.
A strut serves the same function as
a shock, but a strut is also an integral
part of your suspension system. The
struts replace the upper control arms
and ball joints on most cars carry the
springs, and serve as the steering pivots.
Their exact functions vary from car
to car, however. A bent or miscounted
strut can affect your wheel alignment.
|
|
| Why
should I get an Alignment for my car? |
|
The wheels on
your car will often get out of "align"
on your car, causing premature tire
wear, as well as handling problems.
On older cars, this problem was limited
to the front wheels, but on most newer
cars it affects all four wheels, which
is why the 4-wheel alignment has become
the standard. Many parts of your suspension
(tie rod ends, idler arms, control arm
bushings, ball joints, struts, et cetera)
have a part in keeping your wheels in
line over a wide variety of conditions.
If any of those are bent or worn, they
will throw your wheels out of alignment.
There are a couple of technical alignment
terms:
Toe - Whether your tires are
parallel to each other. If the front
edges of your tires are farther apart
than the rear, you have "toe-out". If
the front edges are closer, you have
"toe-in".
Camber - This is a measure of
how vertical your wheel is relative
to the road. If your wheel isn't vertical
(perpendicular), it will tend to turn
your car as you drive, causing "pull".
A 4-point alignment aligns goes
beyond the toe and camber adjustments
by also aligning the 4 wheels to each
other. It also checks for vibrations
at different speeds. We do 4-point alignments.
Tires being out of balance can also
cause vibration. We can take a tire
and run it at the speed that you experience
the vibration and check to see if it
is out of balance. (Balancing is done
by attaching small weights to the wheel
rim to bring the weight of the tire
into balance.) |
|
| What
do CV Boots do? |
|
Most newer cars
have fully independent suspension, which
means that power is transmitted to the
wheels through flexible axles. Where
the axles flex, they are covered with
rubber "boots" to keep road dust and
dirt out of the joints. Over time, the
rubber boots harden and crack. The road
dirt then seeps in and rapidly wears
out the joints, requiring replacement
of the axle. When your boots have lost
their flexibility, it is time to replace
them and save your axle.
|
|
| Tell
me about the CV Joints. |
|
The Constant
Velocity Joints on your axles will last
a long time, often 80,000 miles or more.
You have two joints on each axle, an
inner and an outer. When the joint goes
bad, the most common symptom will be
a clicking or popping sound as you turn
a sharp corner. Try putting the car
in reverse and backing in a circle and
it may be even louder. Almost always
the cause of a bad CV joint is a CV
boot that has gotten hard and cracked.
Since the outer CV boot flexes more
on most cars than the inside one, usually
it is the outer joint that goes bad.
CV Joints can be rebuilt. Usually, however,
we find it is more cost effective to
buy an entirely rebuilt axle. Because
there is little or no difference in
cost, we usually recommend replacing
the axle, even when only one joint is
bad.
It is not safe to ignore your CV boots
and joints. A bad joint can seize, or
even cause the driveshaft to drop out
of the car, causing loss of control.
|
|
| Emissions |
| What
is the OBD II pollution standard? |
|
OBD II (On Board
Diagnostics) is a federal pollution
standard applied to all newer automobiles.
It is essentially an on board emissions
policeman. If it detects pollution problems,
it will turn on a light (the MIL - Malfunction
Indicator Lamp) on your dashboard.
OBD II is requiring many changes in
newer cars, including more powerful
computers, more O2 sensors, electronic
EGR valves, and in some cars, sequential
fuel injection.
|
|
| What
does the O2 sensor do? |
|
Modern cars
have one or more O2 sensors. The O2
sensor measures the unburned oxygen
in the exhaust gasses coming out of
the engine. The engine's computer varies
the air/fuel mixture depending on what
the O2 tells it. Over time, the O2 sensor
slows down, giving the computer bad
information. The computer then sets
the wrong mixture, often leading to
a rich-running engine that wastes gas
and pollutes the atmosphere. A recent
EPA study found that 70% of vehicles
failing the I/M 240 emissions test had
a bad O2 sensor. The over-rich fuel
mixture will also lead to premature
failure of your catalytic converter.
An O2's voltage output can be tested,
but the test is not perfect. Considering
how many problems a bad O2 sensor can
cause, some experts recommend replacing
the O2 sensor as a preventive maintenance
item, usually every 60,000 miles. Considering
that a sluggish O2 sensor can easily
cost you an extra $100 a year in poor
gas mileage, it may not be a bad investment.
|
|
| What
does the PCV valve do? |
|
The PCV (Positive
Crankcase Ventilation) valve (along
with the Breather Element) recirculates
unburned gases back into the engine
to be reburned, cutting air pollution.
A plugged PCV can cause rough engine
idle and many other problems, including
engine damage. It is quite important
that the PCV value be working properly
in your car.
|
|
| Why
do you recommend a fuel injector service? |
|
Fuel injectors
can cost a hundred dollars or more a
piece, and you may have one for each
cylinder. Cleaning them before they
are plugged can remove harmful deposits
and keep them spraying in top form.
After they plug, replacement is sometimes
the only option.
The most common form of injector fouling
comes from unused gasoline evaporating
inside the injector after you turn the
car off.
Fouled injectors may give no overt symptoms,
even while they are cutting your mileage
and pumping extra pollution into the
air. When they get bad enough, they
can cause hard starting, hesitation,
and loss of power. On a scope, they
will show the cylinders out of balance
on a power balance test.
The first two things to try for cleaning
your injectors are using premium fuel,
which has more detergents, and putting
a fuel additive in your gas tank. These
will be only partly successful, however.
For the best results, a technician will
disconnect the engine from its gas supply
and feed pressurized solvent directly
into the fuel rail in order to flush
out the injectors.
Failing that, injectors can be removed
from the car, their fuel spray patterns
tested, and they can be more extensively
cleaned. Sometimes, nothing works and
the injectors must be replaced.
|
|
| Fluids |
| What
can you tell me about doing a Coolant flush? |
|
Your coolant
keeps your engine operating at proper
temperatures. As it ages, its efficiency
slowly declines. It is more important
than ever to keep it operating up to
par. Older cars had huge radiators with
excess capacity. Today's cooling systems
are designed "just big enough". A little
deterioration can soon cause big problems.
Keeping your coolant system working
properly is extra important when you
car has an aluminum head or block, because
they are much more prone to warping
or cracking at high temperatures.
The two main ingredients in "coolant"
are water and antifreeze, to keep the
water from freezing and cracking your
engine. Antifreeze is ethylene glycol,
which never wears out.
On the other hand, all coolant includes
a variety of additives to minimize corrosion
in your system and keep your cooling
system healthy. Your cooling system
includes a variety of metals along with
hot water, turning it into a little
battery. Electrolysis will attack metals
in the engine and radiator, redepositing
them in places you don't want them to
be. The additives slow this process.
Unfortunately, these additives quickly
deteriorate as they do their job. Some
people recommend a coolant change every
year in engines with aluminum heads
and iron blocks, which have the highest
levels of electrolytic activity. For
most people, we recommend changing your
coolant every two years or every 30,000
miles.
|
|
| How
do I best care for my Automatic Transmission? |
|
The fluid in
an automatic transmission transmits
power from the engine to your drive
wheels, while simultaneously lubricating
and cooling your transmission. Over
time, it breaks down and becomes dirty.
Operating temperatures will rise and
lubrication will decrease, leading to
premature wear and transmission failure.
Changing your transmission fluid regularly
will extend the life of your transmission.
On most new transmissions, there is
also a filter that needs to be changed
at the same time. Most transmission
specialists suggest changing the filter
and fluid every 30,000 miles, even if
the fluid looks clean. With rebuilt
transmissions costing $1,000 to $2,000,
it makes sense to protect your investment.
|
|
| How
important is it to change the manual transmission
fluid? |
|
Like an automatic
transmission, the fluid in your manual
transmission needs to be changed regularly.
Changing the fluid will extend its life
by removing dirt and moisture and by
maintaining lubrication and minimizing
high speed foaming.
|
|
| Should
I change the fluid in my car's Differential? |
|
Yes. Changing
the fluid in your differential will
extend its life by removing dirt and
moisture and by maintaining lubrication
and minimizing high speed foaming.
|
|
| Should
I change the fluid in the Transfer case? |
|
Yes. Changing
the fluid in your 4X4's transfer case
will extend its life by removing dirt
and moisture and by maintaining lubrication
and minimizing high speed foaming.
Please note that your transfer case
must be serviced even if you almost
never use your 4-wheel drive. Your transfer
case is operating at all times, regardless
of whether all four wheels are engaged.
|
|
| Should
I change the Power steering fluid? |
|
Changing the
fluid in your power steering system
will extend the life of your power steering
pump and rack.
|
|
| Fuel Filter
/ Air Filter |
| What
can you tell me about the fuel filter in my
car? |
|
Fuel filters
are more important than ever to the
proper functioning of your engine. Fuel
injected cars are far less tolerant
of gas problems than the older carbureted
cars. If the filter plugs it can starve
the engine for fuel. If it fails it
can release debris into injectors, causing
expensive repairs. Also, a restricted
filter will stress the electric fuel
pump, leading to early failure. Generally,
your fuel filter should be replaced
once a year or at no more than 30,000
miles.
|
|
| How
important is it to have a clean Air filter? |
|
Your engine
gulps about 9,000 gallons of air for
every gallon of gas that you burn. That
air is full of dirt particles. The air
filter's job is to keep that dirt out
of your engine. In the process, your
filter will fill up with dirt, just
like your vacuum cleaner bag. Over time,
your engine will start gasping for breath,
causing all kinds of problems.
|
|
| Maintenance |
| What
about Manufacturer Recommended Services? |
|
All manufacturers
have schedules of recommended services
for each of their cars. They include
most of the items listed below. We have
the specific recommendations for your
car in our computerized automotive database.
We strongly urge you to do these
services. Today's automobiles are
designed to go 150,000 - 200,000 miles,
with proper maintenance.
With today's high car prices, car
maintenance is a great investment.
Auto Repair Mission Viejo recommends
these interval services for all
cars:
Every
3,000 miles:
- Change oil
- New quality
oil filter
- Lubricate
chassis
- Inspect
wiper blades
- Check windshield
fluid level and top
- Check differential
fluid condition & level, and
top
- Check transfer
case fluid condition & level,
and top
- Check coolant
condition & chemistry, and top
- Check brake
fluid condition and level
- Check steering
fluid level and condition
- Check transmission
fluid level and condition
- Check tire
pressure, front & rear
- Check tire
wear & condition, front &
rear
- Check air
filter
- Check PCV
- Visually
inspect the exhaust system (manifold
and heat shields,
the muffler, and the exhaust pipes)
- Visually
inspect the front end suspension
- Visually
inspect the shocks & struts
- Visually
inspect the CV boots
- Visually
inspect the Universal Joints
- Visually
inspect oil, coolant, transmission,
steering, differential and transfer
case for fluid leaks
- Visually
inspect the battery connections
and cables
- Visually
inspect belt condition and adjustment
- Visually
inspect radiator and heater hose
condition
- Check brake
pedal adjustment
- Check emergency
brake adjustment
- Check clutch
adjustment
Every
15,000 miles:
- All of the
services at 3,000 miles, plus:
- Rotate wheels
- Inspect
brakes: brake linings, lines and
hoses, disc and drum systems
check and adjust parking brake
- Lubricate
and inspect shift linkage
- Lubricate
and inspect steering linkage
- Lubricate
and inspect throttle linkage
- Adjust clutch,
as required
- Check clutch
reservoir fluid condition and level
- Inspect
idle speed control system
- Inspect
power steering lines, steering gear,
linkage & drive shafts
- Inspect
rear suspension system
- Check lights
and horn for proper operation:
(Headlights, high and low, Hazard
lights, Running lights, Backup lights,
License plate light, Brake lights,
Turn lights, and Horn)
Every
30,000 miles:
- All of the
services at 15,000 miles, plus:
- Automatic
transmission service (including
filter and pan gasket where
appropriate) or Standard transmission
service
- Battery
service, including remove, clean
and lubricate the
battery cables, and install battery
pads
- Visually
inspect fuel lines and connections
- Inspect
fuel cap and gasket
- Replace
spark plugs (4 cyl, 6 cyl plus $10,
8 cyl plus $20)
(plus $5 per cylinder for platinum
plugs)
- Visually
inspect cap and rotor
- Inspect
EGR system
- Inspect
emissions filter (charcoal cannister)
- Check and
set ignition timing
- Visually
inspect ignition wiring
- Visually
inspect the vacuum lines
- Inspect
operation of the heater
- Inspect
operation of the air conditioner
- Inspect
operation of the windshield washers
- Reset the
service light
- Road test
the vehicle
MAINTENANCE
SERVICES MEET
ALL MANUFACTURER WARRANTY REQUIREMENTS
Your car may also need additional maintenance
services, based on mileages or manufacturer
recommendations. These are typical items
(which may be added to a 15,000 or 30,000
mile maintenance service at reduced
rates):
- Balance
4 wheels
- 4-wheel
alignment
- Coolant
drain & fill
- Coolant
flush & treatment
- Brake fluid
flush
- Clutch fluid
flush
- Fuel injection
service
- Replace
fuel filter
- Replace
PCV
- Repack non-drive
wheel bearings
- 4X4 Hub
& Lubrication Service
- Valve adjustment
- Replace
timing belt
- Replace
O2 sensor
In addition,
your manufacturer will sometimes have
special recommendations for your specific
car, which you will find listed in your
vehicle manual. Auto Repair Mission
Viejo also uses the an extensive computer
database, which includes manufacturer
recommendations for all makes and models
of cars.
|
|
| Miscellaneous |
| How
have Tune Up's changed with newer vehicles? |
|
The "tune-up",
properly speaking, no longer exists.
It is not a term you will find in any
literature from today's manufacturers.
Traditionally it included checking all
of the ignition components (such as
the distributor cap, points, and plug
wires), replacing the spark plugs, adjusting
the carburetor, and resetting the engine
timing.
On newer engines, many of these parts
and procedures no longer exist. You
cannot "set the timing" on most engines
anymore. The auto repair industry has
been left confused about what to do
when the customer asks for a "tune-up".
For some, it means nothing more than
replacing the spark plugs.
If requested to do a "tune-up", our
shop policy is to scope and adjust (if
applicable) your engine, inspect your
ignition parts, and report the results
to you, including any codes that your
car's computer is displaying, along
with recommended work to resolve any
problems.
We do not automatically replace spark
plugs. Spark plugs will last for a long,
long time if everything else is functioning
properly in your engine. We will only
suggest replacing them if they need
to be replaced.
Two things more to note about a "tune-up":
1) A "tune-up" will almost never cure
a running problem. A "tune- up" is for
maintenance purposes only. It does not
"fix" anything. If you have a problem,
please give us the symptoms so that
we can focus on finding what is causing
the problem.
2) We always recommend that you follow
your manufacturer's interval maintenance
recommendations for your car. They reflect
the best, most expert, most professional
advice for your particular car. So instead
of doing that "tune-up", ask us for
the complete printout of manufacturer
maintenance recommendations on your
car from our Auto computer database.
|
|
| What
do you do in a Used Car check? |
|
When you buy
a used car, you can pretty much expect
a few problems. After all, it is used.
That is why you are buying it: to save
a ton of money. Today's cars can easily
go 150,000-200,000 miles. One with only
80,000 miles is still a baby. Still,
it pays to be careful.
Our technician uses all of his experience,
judgment, tools, references, and equipment
in a used car check to come to an overall
conclusion on the general condition
of the vehicle. The typical used car
checkout will include a visual inspection
and a road test to check the functions
of various mechanical systems. Problems
known by the technician to be common
to your type of car will be reviewed.
Based on symptoms uncovered by the technician's
review, additional procedures will be
performed as warranted.
An used car check is primarily
focused on finding major problems. A
bad engine. A car that has been badly
wrecked. We are looking for things that
can lead to thousand dollar repairs
that may exceed the value of the car.
It is surprising how many cars we look
at that appear OK, but actually are
money pits.
While looking for the big problems,
we also keep an eye out for everyday,
run-of-the-mill problems. We will provide
you with a list of these, along with
estimated repair costs. This list alone
will usually pay for the cost of the
used car check because it provides a
negotiating tool. You can take it back
to the seller of the car and either
demand that the problems be fixed or
negotiate a lower price.
Our review will never catch every possible
problem on a used car. That level of
checkout would cost several hundred
dollars. In any case, there will always
be internal and invisible wear which
will not be detected in our review.
But our inexpensive check over will
often pay for itself, and may save you
from a nightmare.
|
|
| My
car has an intermittent problem. What can
I do about it? |
|
It seems to
be some kind of natural law that any
kind of intermittent problem you are
having will quit as soon as you bring
it to us.
Have patience. Try to be as explicit
as possible about the exact times and
conditions when the problem occurs.
We'll stick with you and find it as
soon as possible.
|
|
|
 |
|
| . |
Come
visit us in our NEW State-Of-The-Art Facility
- Auto Repair Mission Viejo - serves: Aliso Viejo,
Irvine, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita,
Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna
Woods, Ladera Ranch, San Juan Capistrano and beyond.
We specialize in the service and repair of Toyota,
Honda, Lexus, Nissan, Infiniti, Acura, Mitsubishi,
Hyundia, Isuzu, Subaru, Mazda, Hybrids, Deisels, Saturn,
Land Rover, BMW, GM, Ford, Mercedes, Chrystler, Volkswagen,
and more automobiles for over 20 years. We adhere
strictly to Factory Specifications in all our services.
Auto Repair Mission Viejo,
strives to keep abreast of all the latest technical
developments and Factory Bulletins to provide you
with efficient and professional service. Our facility
is equipped with the latest Diagnostic tools to save
you time and money when it comes to troubleshooting
complex problems that might arise with your Automobile.
We feel confident to affirm that we can save you a
substantial amount of money in all your Car repair
needs throughout the year. We
provide quality service on all makes and models, both
foreign and domestic.
For Over 20 Years, people have trusted their vehicles
to Larry and his crew for one simple reason: Exceptional
customer care. Put your car, truck, SUV, RV, Hybrid,
Diesel in the hands of a thoroughly trained, experienced
technician. Larry's Mission Viejo crew has over a
century of combined experience in automotive repair
and service...on virtually every make and model manufactured
in the last 75 years. His techs are ASE certified
and the shop has earned the Auto Club's highest rating
for service and repair facilities.
What
to Expect at :
 |
Exceptional
customer loyalty |
|
|
FREE
Car Rental with any major service or repair |
|
FREE
local shuttle |
|
Comfortable,
Wi-Fi enabled lounge |
|
While-you-wait
quick services |
|
Owner
and/or Manager always on the premises |
|
On-line
appointment bookkeeping |
|
ASE
certified master technicians |
|
AAA
approved 20 years + |
|
18
month / 18K mile Guarantee |
|
Service
on all makes and models |
|
Commercial
Fleet Programs |
|
Better
and fair prices |
|
Better,
fast, friendly service |
|
Service,
repairs, engine replacement, transmissions, alignments |
|
Honest,
careful estimates provided in advance of all work |
Above
All—Empathy!
We are very much aware of how unexpected repair bills
can put a dent in your budget. We will let you know
the items that might need immediate attention and the
ones that can wait for a next appointment. We don't
want you to be a "one time Customer". We want you
to become a Customer and Friend for years to come.
Professional Reliable Prompt
Service, Honestly Serving Orange County
The highest compliment my clients
can give me is the referral of
their friends, family and business partners.
"We're a three-car family and
Larry's is the only shop we will use...period. We took
our
Altima in for a 'wheel alignment' but after diagnosing
the problem, Larry balanced
two tires instead. Any other shop would have just done
the alignment and charged us.
Larry is the best!"
- the Johnsons, Rancho Santa Margarita
New or used; foreign or domestic; car, truck, SUV, RV,
Diesel or Hybrid, when you vehicle needs regular service
or repair, there's no better place than Auto Repair
Mission Viejo! Nothing less and nothing more!
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Every other Saturday 8:00AM - 3:00PM
We
are Located at: 25721 Taladro Circle Unit B, Mission
Viejo, Ca. 92691
"Click
Here for Map Directions to"
We Accept: 
Auto Repair Mission Viejo, - "WE
WOULD LOVE TO HELP"
We
Service Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Irvine,
Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo and beyond...
|
| |
CAR,
SUV, TRUCK MANUFACTURERS
WE SERVICE* |
 |
Toyota |
|
Lexus |
|
Honda |
|
Nissan |
|
Mitsubishi |
|
Acura |
|
Isuzu |
|
Mazda |
|
Infiniti |
|
General
Motors (GMC) GM, Corvette, Daewoo, Holden, Opel |
|
Ford,
Lincoln, Mercury |
|
Hummer |
|
BMW,
Rolls-Royce |
|
Mercedes,
Mercedes-Benz, Daimler AG |
|
Chrysler,
Dodge, Plymoth |
|
Hyundai |
|
Alfa
Romeo |
|
Aston
Martin |
|
Audi |
|
Buick |
|
Cadillac |
|
Chevrolet |
|
Jaguar |
|
Land
Rover |
|
Ferrari |
|
Kia |
|
Oldsmobile |
|
Peugeot |
|
Pontiac |
|
Porsche |
|
Saab |
|
Saturn |
|
Volkswagen |
|
Volvo |
| |
|
| RV
MANUFACTURERS WE SERVICE* |
|
Winnebago |
|
Fleetwood |
|
Coachmen |
|
Gulf Stream |
|
Forest
River |
|
Monaco |
|
Keystone |
|
R-Vision |
|
Jayco |
|
Newmar |
|
Dutchmen |
|
Holiday Rambler |
|
Rexhall |
|
Georgie
Boy |
|
Starcraft |
|
Thor |
|
National
RV |
|
Airstream |
|
SunnyBrook |
|
Blue Bird |
| |
|
| WE
ARE SPECIALIZED IN HYBRIDS AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES |
|
Toyota
Prius, Highlander, Camry |
|
Honda
Civic, Accent, Insight |
|
Nissan
Altima |
|
Lexus
GS 450h, Lexus LS 600h L, RX 400h |
|
Chevrolet
Volt, Tahoe |
|
Ford
Escape |
|
Mercury
Mariner |
|
Tesla
Roadster |
|
Venturi
Fetish |
| |
|
| OUR
SPECIALTY SERVICES |
|
Notification
with Recommendation Lists |
|
Comprehensive
Inspections |
|
Pre-Purchase
Inspections |
|
Before
Warranty Runs Out Inspections
|
|
Bumper
to Bumper Inspections |
|
Vehicle
Safety Inspections |
| |
|
| |
WE
ALSO WORK ON DIESELS
ASE Certified Master Technicians
Commercial Fleet Programs |
|
| WE
DO PREVENTATIVE SERVICE* |
|
5000
Mile Service |
|
15000
Mile Service |
|
30000
Mile Service
|
|
50000
Mile Service
|
|
75000
Mile Service
|
|
100000
Mile Service
|
|
Transmission
Fluid Exchange |
|
Brake
System Flush |
|
Fuel / Air Induction Service |
|
Pure
Air A/C Service |
|
Cooling
System Service |
|
Cabin
Air Filter |
|
Power
Steering Service |
|
Tune-ups,
Oil Change, Timing Belts |
| |
| WE
INSTALL ACCESSORIES |
|
Lo-Jack,
Alarm System Installation |
|
Window
Tint |
|
Car
Stereo, Car DVD, Car HDTV Installation |
|
Trailer
Hitches / Harness |
|
Wheelchair
Lifts |
|
Handicap
Driving System |
|
Installation
of Roof Racks |
|
Handicap
Driving System |
|
Installation
of New Rims and Tires |
|
Installation
of GPS Navigation Systems |
|
Service
Truck / Service Van Configuration |
|
Install
accessory trims and add ons |
|
Additional
Ignition Keys & Wireless Entry |
|
New
Sunroofs, Moonroofs, Windows |
|
New
Trims and Dashboards |
| |
| WE
SERVICE or DO: |
|
Brakes
|
|
Suspension |
|
Maintenance
|
|
Tune-ups |
|
Oil
Changes |
|
Timing
Belts |
|
Steering |
|
Rebuild
Engines |
|
Transmission |
|
Drive
Axles |
|
Computer
Diagnostics |
|
Fleet
Repairs |
|
Tires |
|
Alignment,
CV Joints |
|
Electrical
Diagnostics and Repair |
|
Rebuild
Engines, Engine Replacement |
|
Diesels |
|
Cooling
Systems |
|
AC
and Heating |
|
Glass
Repair |
|
Key
Locks |
|
O2
Sensors |
|
Emission
Work |
|
Exhaust
and Intake |
|
Minor
Dents and Scratches |
|
Fuel
Injection |
| |
|
WE
DO VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
(CAR, TRUCK, SUV, RV, and HYBRIDS) |
|
Check
or change the engine oil and fuel filters |
|
Inspect
or replace windshield wipers |
|
Check
or refill windshield washer fluid |
|
Inspect
tires for pressure and wear
|
|
Tire
balancing |
|
Tire
rotation |
|
Wheel
alignment |
|
Check
or clean battery terminals |
|
Inspect
or replace brake pads |
|
Check
or refill brake fluid |
|
Check
or refill transmission fluid |
|
Check
or refill power steering fluid |
|
Check
and refill engine coolant |
|
Flush
radiators |
|
Inspect or replace spark plugs |
|
Inspect or replace air filters |
|
Inspect timing belts |
|
Clean and adjust throttle body |
|
Lubricate locks, latches, hinges |
|
Check all lights and horns |
|
| |
|
Don't
see something you need to have done? Call (949)
830-4204. Auto Repair
Service Mission, offers a wide range of solutions to
the literally thousands of possible repairs and improvements
for your vehicles.
INSTALL
• BUILD • REPAIR • IMPROVE •
CLEAN
"We
are AAA Approved for 20+
Years and offer 18 month / 18K
Mile Guarantee on our work"
|
|
|
|
|
Larry's
customers come from all over Orange County, please find some of
the zipcodes and cities below:
Anaheim 92801, 92802, 92803, 92804, 92805,
92806, 92807, 92808, 92809, 92812, 92814, 92815, 92816, 92817, 92825,
92850, 92899, Brea 92821, 92822, 92823, Buena Park 90620, 90621,
90622, 90623, 90624, Costa Mesa 92626, 92627, 92628, Cypress 90630,
Fountain Valley 92708, 92728, Fullerton 92831, 92832, 92833, 92834,
92835, 92836, 92837, 92838, Garden Grove 92840, 92841, 92842, 92843,
92844, 92845, 92846, Huntington Beach 92605, 92615, 92646, 92647,
92648, 92649, La Habra 90631, 90632, 90633, La Palma 90623, Los
Alamitos 90720, 90721, Orange 92856, 92857, 92859, 92861, 92862,
92863, 92864, 92865, 92866, 92867, 92868, 92869, Placentia 92870,
92871, Santa Ana 92701, 92702, 92703, 92704, 92705, 92706, 92707,
92708, 92711, 92712, 92725, 92728, 92735, 92799, Seal Beach 90740,
Stanton 90680, Tusin 92780, 92781, 92782, Villa Park 92861, 92867,
Westminister 92683, 92684, 92685, Yorba Linda 92885, 92886, 92887,
Aliso Viejo 92653, 92656, 92698, Dana Point 92624, 92629, Irvine
92602, 92603, 92604, 92606, 92612, 92614, 92616, 92618, 92619, 92620,
92623, 92650, 92697, 92709, 92710, Laguna Beach 92607, 92637, 92651,
92652, 92653, 92654, 92656, 92677, 92698, Laguna Hills 92637, 92653,
92654, 92656, Laguna Niguel 92607, 92677, Laguna Woods 92653, 92654,
Lake Forest 92609, 92630, Mission Viejo 92675, 92690, 92691, 92692,
92694, Newport Beach 92657, 92658, 92659, 92660, 92661, 92662, 92663,
Rancho Santa Margarita 92688, San Clemente 92672, 92673, 92674,
San Juan Capistrano 92675, 92690, 92691, 92692, 92693, 92694 Ladera
Ranch 92694, Coto De Caza 92679 Anaheim Hills 92807, 92808, 92809,
92817 Dove Canyon 92679 Oceanside, CA:92049, 92051, 92052, 92054,
92055, 92056, 92057, 92058, Dove Canyon 92679
|
CALL LARRY FOR HELP, TODAY!
(949) 830-4204
My Favorite Auto Repair Service in Mission Viejo
AUTO REPAIR MISSION VIEJO
Aliso
Viejo, Irvine, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita
TOYOTA - HONDA - LEXUS - NISSAN - ACURA
INFINITI - MITSUBISHI - SUBARU - FORD - GMC
"We would Love to Help Repair Your Car or Truck"
We
Repair Cars, SUVs, Trucks, Diesels, Vans, RVs, Hybrids
All Makes & Models Welcome - Commercial Fleet Programs
We can work on the following Cars, Trucks, Vans, SUVs, and RVs: Toyota,
Honda, Lexus, Nissan, Infiniiti, Acura, Mitsubishi, Hyundia, Isuzu, Subaru,
Mazda, Saturn, Land Rover, BMW, GM, GMC, Ford, Mercedes, Hummer, Jaguar,
Volvo, Chrysler, Volkswagen,
Volvo, Saab, Kia,
Audi, Cadillac,
Chevrolet, Buick,
Aston Martin, Alfa
Romeo, Ferrari, Oldsmobile,
Peugeot, Porsche, Saturn, Pontiac,Corvette,
Lincoln, Daewoo, Mercedes-Benz, Daimler AG, Holden, Opel, Dodge, Plymoth,
Rolls-Royce,
Prius,
Highlander, Camry, Civic, Accent, Insight, Escape, Tahoe, GS 450h, Lexus
LS 600h L, RX 400h, Mercury Mariner, Altima, Datsun, Blue Bird, SunnyBrook,
Airstream, National RV, Thor, Starcraft, Georgie Boy, Rexhall, Holiday
Rambler, Dutchmen, Newmar, Jayco, R-Vision, Keystone, Monaco, Forest River,
Gulf Stream, Coachmen, Fleetwood, Winnebago.
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