Fresno is the largest inland city in California with a population of 510,365 and just as many cars, if not more.  We know that Fresno residents often drive long distances to the Bay Area or Los Angeles.  With long drives and occasionally hot weather, the wear and tear on your car can come before you know it.  Regular car maintenance is key in preventing serious damages to your car so that you can travel with ease of mind.

Consider getting the following checked out: a/c services, battery services, drivetrain services, electrical services, fuel system services, transmission services, and windshield services.

If you need more information, get the expertise from our auto technicians by calling the respective location.  Access driving directions, business hours, and special offers by visiting the location pages:

• 3896 Blackstone Ave. – Print out a Fresno oil change coupon for this location
• 5316 W. Spruce Ave. – Get a Fresno oil change service and print out a tire rotation coupon at this location

Jiffy Lube’s Blackstone location is conveniently located near E Shaw Ave. and N Blackstone Ave. where you can shop, eat, or run errands while you wait for your oil change service in Fresno.  Jiffy Lube’s Spruce location is located right where W Spruce Ave. and W Herndon Ave. meet.  You can spot us next to Subway.

Jiffy Lube is a big supporter of the local community, specifically of youth sports.  Whether driving to work or taking your kids to practice, we’ll make sure your car is running properly and efficiently.  Come on in to find out more about sports in the Fresno community and/or get your car checked out.

Leave the candy to the kids.  For adults over 18 years of age, Jiffy Lube is giving out over $2,500 in prizes and gift cards to some of your favorite places.   Bring your word-solving skills because we’ll be sending out a hash tag clue everyday at 9am from 10/10-18 via Twitter and Facebook.  What you will do is follow the clues and write down your guesses each day.

EXAMPLE:
CLUE: Pumpkin
HASH TAG: # _AC_ _ _ _NT_ _ _
The correct hash tag answer would be #JACKOLANTERN.

At the end of the seven days, you will fill out an entry form with all your hash tag answers, along with an answer to a tie-breaker question.  Mention the contest on Twitter using the #tricksANDtreats hash tag so others can follow the conversation too.

What could you win?  The Grand Prize Winner will receive $1,000 in prizes and or gift cards from Jiffy Lube, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Sacramento Zoo, Esquire IMAX and other Greater Sacramento merchants.  Nine other winners will receive prizes and/or gift cards from the same merchants.

Be sure to enter in your guesses by October 19, 2011 at 11:59pm PST.  Winners will be announced the following day at 10am. Please see full set of Official Rules here.

On July 18th,  Jiffy Lube launched its brand new application on the iPhone.  This free application enables users to have all their vehicle and maintenance information conveniently in one place with easy access to information on Jiffy Lube locations and essential car care tips.

In a simple format, the application’s interface displays four tabs:

• Locator – GPS-enabled location to pinpoint surrounding Jiffy Lube locations up to 50 miles away from a user.  Hours, directions, contact information, services, and coupons are available for each location.
• MyGarage – Schedule reminders for routine maintenance such as oil changes, tire pressure, coolant levels, wiper blades, and exterior lights.  Each task also comes with how-to instructions.
• MyInfo – Store vehicle documents such as VIN, license plate, registration, insurance card, inspection information (safety inspections, driver’s license expiration, and emissions due date), and oil change intervals.  The app lets you enter this information easily by taking a picture (ex. of your oil change sticker) and storing it.
• Jiffy Lube – Serves as a knowledge base for information on oil changes, warranties, services offered.  A link to Jiffy Lube’s Facebook page is also available where one can view updates and interact with other fans.

Taking care of your vehicle has never been easier.  For more information, read the full press release here or call your local Jiffy Lube for more information.  Android users can expect the app to be available sometime this year.

If you visit a Jiffy Lube center today, it is likely you will see an Oil Change Schedule (OCS) kiosk.  As of July 2011, Jiffy Lube will have implemented the new Oil Change Schedule (OCS) service throughout 70% of all locations across the country and we expect it to be in all stores by the end of 2011.

Oil Change Schedule (OCS) service is an in-store kiosk that stores all automobile manufacturer guidelines combined with individual driving habits and conditions.  Customers can now be more involved in the preventive maintenance process by understanding what their vehicle manufacturer recommends for oil changes.  They can then choose from three different oil change schedules:

• manufacturer’s recommendations for normal driving habits,
• manufacturer’s recommendations for severe driving habits, or
• a customized oil schedule upon the customer’s choosing.

With this information, customers will receive a Jiffy Lube window sticker after each visit reminding them when to come back for their next oil change, based on the schedule they select.

No longer confined by the 3,000-mile, 5,000-mile, or even 10,000-mile recommendations, this new service will help merge manufacturer’s recommendations, operating conditions, and driver habits to create a tailored schedule for each individual and to extend the life of each vehicle.

Need to determine your driving conditions?  Take this simple questionnaire to properly evaluate if your car falls in to the normal or severe category.  For more information on this service, visit the Oil Change Schedule (OCS) section of the Jiffy Lube website or call your local Jiffy Lube.

During May several large recalls were announced. Hyundai, Kia, Chevrolet, Honda, Acura, Audi,  Toyota, and Volvo all issued recalls this past month for everything from engine stalls to malfunctioning gear indicators. Here are some of the biggest recalls of the month. Below these highlights you will find a complete list of all of the recalls from May with links to read more. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for all the latest recall news, car care tips, and coupons.

GM Recalls All 2011 Chevrolet Cruzes

General Motors issued a recall for all Chevy Cruzes because of concerns over both the shift indicator, steering shaft, and automatic transmission linkage. This affects about 129,000 vehicles. GM will make sure that the steering wheel is properly installed, regardless of which transmission they have.

Additionally all automatic transmission Cruzes are being recalled for issues involving the transaxle. The shift lever may appear to be in Park when it the vehicle is actually in gear.

No crashes or injuries have been reported involving either issue, GM says. Unsold vehicles at dealer lots will be inspected before being sold.

GM encourages customers to contact their dealerships and schedule for an appointment for inspection, which should take less than an hour. Concerned owners can call Chevrolet at 800-630-2438 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

Honda Recalls 833,000 Honda and Acura Vehicles

Honda has expanded their earlier recall for a faulty airbag indicator, which may cause the airbags to deploy with too much pressure. This is a serious defect that has resulted in one fatality since the recall was announced in 2008; it was expanded in July 2009 and again in February 2010.

Recalled models now include the 2001 and 2002 Honda Accord and Civic; 2002 Honda Odyssey; 2002 and 2003 Honda CR-V; selected 2002 and 2003 Acura 3.2 TL; and 2003 Acura 3.2 CL vehicles. This raises the total number of recalled vehicles to about 833,000.

Honda will notify owners later this month. Owners can bring their vehicles to dealers for repairs as soon as they receive the letter. Dealers will replace the airbag inflator for free. Owners may contact Honda at 800-999-1009, or Acura at 800-382-2238, or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236. Honda also has a recall website for owners and so does Acura.

Toyota Recall Alert – 52,00 Toyota Prius Vehicles

Toyota has issued a voluntary recall for 52,000 Prius vehicles from 2001-2003 because of possible steering problems. The affected vehicles have a nut on the pinon shaft in the steering gearbox which may become loose if the steering wheel  is repeatedly and strongly turned to the full-lock position. Over time, drivers may gradually notice increased steering effort when making a left turn.

Toyota dealers will install improved nuts for free. The repair could take about four hours, Toyota says. Notification letters will be sent to owners next month.

For more info, call Toyota at 800-331-4331 or visit www.toyota.com/recall.

Recall Alert: 2012 Volvo S60

Recall Alert: 2001-03 Toyota Prius

Recall Alert: 2010-11 Volvo XC90

Recall Alert: 2012 Honda Civic

Recall Alert: 2007-11 Toyota Tundra

Recall Alert: 2011 Chevy Colorado, 2011 GMC Canyon

Recall Alert: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Recall Alert: 2011 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana

Recall Alert: 2001-04 Audi A6, 2003 Audi RS6, 2002-03 Audi S6

Recall Alert: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Recall Alert: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Recall Alert: 833,000 Honda and Acura Vehicles

Recall Alert: 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

Recall Alert: 2011 Kia Sorento

Recall Alert: 2010 Hyundai Tucson