Car Tuning,Car Finance,Auto Loans

Posts Tagged ‘Tune Ups’

Your car should get a tune-up, or major service, every 30,000 miles. And, this is probably the best preventative maintenance tip a car owner could get. The components of a good tune-up will check into and replace all the things that cause normal wear and tear on your car. If tune-ups are missed, this could lead to damage and further problems that cost a lot more than a tune-up. In addition, tune-ups can give you better gas mileage. Best of all, tune-ups can be done on your own, saving you the high cost of labor.

Here are the things you will need to do as you tune your own car, as well as an explanation why it is strongly recommended.

1. Fuel Filter- You will want to replace your fuel filter. Dirty fuel filters can lead to difficulty starting the car, can restrict the engine, and cause the car to lose power.

2. Sparkplugs and sparkplug wires- you will want to replace these, as bad plugs can rob your car of fuel efficiency and even take away from drivability. Bad spark plugs can even cause breakdowns, meaning an expensive tow. Bad wires can also cause problems. (See our article on this process)

3. Distributor cap and rotor- these two parts are usually made of plastic, therefore they deteriorate with age and use and cracks may develop, allowing moisture in. Because of this, metal contacts on both can corrode, which causes misfiring.

4. Valves- you will want to check and adjust your valves as needed. Also, you will want to replace the valve-cover gasket, especially when you see oil on the top of your engine.

5. Belts- you will want to check all of your belts to make sure that they are not worn. If they show signs of extreme wear and tear (fraying, tension) you can replace those as well.

6. Air filter- A dirty air filter blocks airflow to the engine, making it work harder. This results in a decline in horsepower and fuel economy.

7. Fluids- check all of your fluid levels underneath the hood. If any appear to be thirsty, give them what they need. (Transmission, brake, etc.)

8. Battery- give your battery a cleaning. (see our article on this process)

9. PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation)- this should be replaced because a clogged breather filter prevents the PCV from siphoning the blow-by gases and moisture created by engine combustion. This results in oil breakdown and sludge buildup.

The previous nine tips are the usual for tune-ups. When giving your car a once-over, you may also want to check your brakes, wiper blades, lights and other gauges. Also, while much of the aforementioned parts can be changed with a major service every few years, from time to time, you may need to replace one or more as a stand-alone project. But, all in all, following this guide will keep you with a smooth, reliable ride!

Younger drivers who own late model vehicles may not remember a time when they needed to be tuned up frequently. Decades ago, any number of parts could slowly lose their ability to perform their jobs. To correct the issues, a mechanic would have to pop the hood and spend a couple of hours adjusting, tightening, and often replacing certain parts. If this wasn’t done on a regular basis, drivers could expect their vehicles to operate far less efficiently with less power over time.

Cars are built much differently these days. Automakers have designed fantastic driving machines that can perform well without a tune-up for over 80,000 miles. That said, millions of people are still driving older vehicles that need a good tuning every now and then. Below, I’ll describe a few car parts that you should consider asking your mechanic to check periodically.

Which Parts Need Tuning?

In the old days, when vehicles mostly used carburetors and other mechanical parts, there was plenty for a technician to tune. After all, springs, weights, and similar components always become unbalanced with time. So, they kept mechanics busy. Most newer cars, trucks, and SUVs have gotten rid of a lot of the analog systems, replacing them with parts that are controlled by computers. That leaves fewer components for technicians to tune.

Of course, all cars still use spark plugs that collect carbon deposits and need to be replaced. And tens of millions of cars have distributor caps that experience corrosion. Air filters still get jammed with dirt, debris and other materials. Drive belts can get frayed. And the rotors in a vehicle’s ignition system can sustain wear and tear. If neglected, each of these can erode your car’s performance and fuel-efficiency. You probably won’t notice the difference immediately, but over time, their aggregate effect can have a significant impact.

The Future Of Tune-Ups

Until the bright minds inside automakers’ research labs design an automobile that doesn’t require parts that wear out, there will always be a need for tune-ups. If you recently bought a new vehicle, you probably won’t need to visit a repair shop for years. However, if you’ve purchased an older, used model, ask a mechanic how often you should have it tuned up.

At the very least, you’ll want him to check the distributor cap for cracks and wear and tear on the ignition’s rotor. Plus, have the spark plugs and air filter replaced periodically to maintain your engine’s performance (important even in late models). And while you’re at the repair shop, it couldn’t hurt to flush the fluids, check the battery posts, cables, wheels, and belts. Remember, the secret to avoiding costly repairs is doing consistent maintenance. Tune-ups are still an important ingredient.