Archive for Car Maintenance

The Basics of Headlight Car Care: Cleaning and Replacing

headlight car care

Headlight car care is easy to overlook, but it’s something that becomes especially important as your car gets older. Headlights can sometimes acquire a yellow film as your car ages, which can limit visibility. You should also perform routine headlight care to ensure that one of your bulbs isn’t out, as it can be surprisingly easy to miss at night.

According to Your Mechanic, headlights can sometimes turn yellow or opaque (or both) over time because the plastic materials tends to oxidize. Headlights can also become hazy if there is grit and grime buildup that isn’t removed. To fix this, you can rub headlights with toothpaste to help remove oxidation and dirt. You’ll want to rinse off the headlights when finished, and be sure to apply car wax to protect lights from future damage.

Replacing bulbs can be a little more complicated. For those who aren’t that mechanically inclined, you may want to bring your car to Larry Jay Mitsubishi for maintenance. Headlights can be removed if you loosen a series of screws that secure the headlight cover (you may need to pop the hood), and then unscrew and replace the bulb. Be sure to consult an auto expert and your owner’s manual to ensure you’re using the right bulb.

The Basic Steps to Changing Your Oil

changing your oil - Larry Jay Mitsubishi BlogOne of the most common car maintenance activities is an oil change. Most vehicles need an oil change once every three months or every 3,000 miles, assuming it requires a non-synthetic oil. While our professional staff at Larry Jay Mitsubishi can perform this type of maintenance for you, many drivers prefer to do it themselves. That’s why we’ve put together a post on changing your oil.

According to Edmunds, you’ll need a few tools. This includes a wrench that fits the drain plug, an oil filter wrench, oil drain pan, funnel, a jack, and jack stands. You may also prefer to use latex gloves to protect your hands. You should also have fresh oil and a new oil filter.

First, raise the car using the jack, and secure it using jack stands. Next, position the drip pan under the oil plug. Following this, you can remove the oil plug and let the oil drip from the car into the pan you have under it. You’ll need the pan when removing the old filter as well, as oil will drip from this part of the engine.

Next, replace the drain plug and the new oil filter. Many technicians suggest rubbing the gasket of the new oil filter before installing it to ensure a tight fit.

Finally, fill the car with fresh oil. You may need to check the dip stick a few times to be sure that it’s full. Then, remove the blocks and lower the car. It’s as simple as that.

Fall Car Maintenance: The Basic Checklist

fall car maintenance - Larry Jay Mitsubishi Blog

Fall is the perfect time of year to perform regular maintenance. You can do most of the work yourself, or simply bring your car into Larry Jay Mitsubishi. From changing the oil to checking the brakes, there are some basic things to keep in mind during the autumn months.

First, according to the Car Connection, you should check your tires when doing fall car maintenance. Tire pressure decreases as the temperature dips, which means you may be riding on low tires. This not only increases the risk of a blowout, but it also decreases fuel economy. Be sure to check tire pressure as soon as possible. Additionally, you should check tire tread using a tread-depth indicator or a simple penny. Invert the penny and place it in the middle of the tread—if you see above Abe Lincoln’s head, you may need new tires.

Next, replace the wiper blades and top off fluids. In addition to changing the oil (which you should normally do every three months or 3,000 miles), be sure to check and top off the coolant, wiper fluid, transmission fluid, power steering, and brake fluid if necessary. Changing the wipers in the fall is suggested because rain and snow are usually less frequent. Why wait until it’s too late?

Finally, check your heater! It can be easy to forget the heater since you’ve been using the A/C all summer, but be sure to check the heater to make sure the element and fan are working properly. These are just some of the many things you can do to help maintain your car for fall.

How to Change a Tire



Follow these steps.

  4. Remove the lug nuts.
  5. Remove the tire.
  6. Put on the spare tire.
  7. Tighten the lug nuts by hand.
  9. Lower the vehicle completely.
  10. Put away all your equipment.


Everything You Wanted to Know about Tire Pressure

Know About Tire Pressure

When you think about the most important safety features on your car, you might think of your traction control, brakes, or even airbags. However, these features are nearly useless without your tires. That is why it is important to take good care of your tires. And, the simplest way to do that is by making sure they have the right air pressure.

Here are five things you need to know about tire pressure.

  1. Tire pressure measures the amount of air in your tires. Too much or too little air can cause undue stress on your tires making them wear out sooner than they should.
  2. Proper tire pressure is important. Not only does it prolong the life of your tires, but it keeps your fuel efficiency where it should be and helps prevent tire emergencies, like blow-outs.
  3. Your tire pressure decreases over time because of things like air slowly leaking through the rubber compound, an actual puncture in the tire, leaking valve stems, and impacts, like running into the curb.
  4. To check your air pressure, you will need a pressure gauge. Unscrew the cap on the valve stem and touch the pressure gauge to the stem until you hear a stream of air. Quickly remove the gauge and read the pressure. Repeat to ensure accuracy.
  5. Adding air to your tires is simple. Most gas stations have air pumps. The correct pressure should be indicated on your tire’s sidewall. Add air until all tires are properly inflated.

If you have any questions about your tires, stop by Larry Jay Mitsubishi and we’ll inspect them for you.

How to Get Your Car Ready for Spring

Car Ready For Spring

Spring is just a few weeks away. This means, it is time to shake off the last residue of winter and get your car ready for spring. Here are five simple steps to follow to get you prepared for the season ahead.

  1. Wash your car. Winter can leave a layer of grime and salt all over your car. Give it a thorough wash, including the underbody, to help prevent corrosion.
  2. Replace your wiper blades. Your wiper blades have spent months working hard to keep your windshield clear of frost, ice, and snow. This can make them dry and brittle. Your wiper blades should be switched out about every six months. If your blades are leaving streaks or stuttering, it’s time to change them.
  3. Check your tire pressure. Give your tires a good inspection. If you switched them out for winter grade tires, put your all season tires back on. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and check the tread depth. Look for signs of cracking and other extreme wear.
  4. Top off fluids. Check your fluid levels and make sure everything is where it needs to be.
  5. Change your oil. Start off the spring with fresh oil.

If you need help getting your car ready for spring, schedule an appointment with us here at Larry Jay Mitsubishi.

What is Camber?


As a car owner, you’ve undoubtedly heard about wheel alignment. You’ve probably agreed to have your wheels aligned upon a mechanic’s recommendation, if nothing else. Wheel alignment is an important part of maintenance. It helps your tires to last longer by ensuring that they get even wear on their tread. This helps them grip the road better, and in turn keeps you and your passengers safe.

Some people, however, like to tweak their alignment for performance purposes. When this is the case, they start to get into the details about alignment, which includes three elements: camber, caster and toe. Here we’ll look at camber, what it is and how that affects performance.

Camber refers to the angle of a car’s wheel in relation to the surface of the road. It’s a measurement in degrees that explains whether the wheel is tilted inwards towards the fender wells, our outward away from them, and by how much. A 0º camber would mean that the tire is perfectly perpendicular to the ground. A negative camber means that the top of the tire tilts in, where a positive camber means that it tilts out.

Negative cambers are popular among drivers who like a thrilling performance. With negative camber, the tires grip the road better during tight corners. However, it doesn’t offer a strong grip on normal roads. For most people, a neutral camber is the best and safest bet for everyday driving.

To schedule your wheel alignment, contact Larry Jay Mitsubish!

What to Do In Case of a Dead Car Battery







Winter Car Prep Tips for Drivers

person cleans frozen windshield - winter car prep


Check Your Fluids


Switch to Winter-Grade Oil and Wiper Fluid


Gauge Tread Depth and Tire Pressure


Pack a Winter Emergency Kit



Signs of a Bad Transmission

Maintenance Worker






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