What Is A Tune Up And Does Your Car Need One? - Vol.289
That's a good question, this is something most people don't think about or forget about all together. Every vehicle's owner manual will have a schedule in it, listing when you should have this performed. A tune up on vehicles manufactured before 1990 and one's after 1990 are not the same. On older vehicle's they would actually go in and tune or adjust things on your vehicle engine such as timing, spark plug gap etc. On modern vehicles everything is electronic and non adjustable so it is more of a checkup.
What Is Involved In A Tune Up?
A tune up on modern vehicles typically includes replacement of air and fuel filters, checking of the spark plugs and plug wires and replacement if necessary. They may also check your timing belt and water pump as these components must be replaced at certain times which vary depending on the vehicle. There are many other components that are not checked during this process, such as the breaking system, cooling system and other important parts. If you are going to take your vehicle in annually for a tune up it is a good idea to have a complete vehicle check up at the same time. That way they will be able to inform you of any problems, no matter how small and this could prevent a much larger and expensive problem down the road.
How Do I Know If I Need A Tune Up?
As stated your vehicle owners manual will list the recommended times or millage you should have one performed. This will vary depending on make and model, it may also be necessary more frequently, depending on the age, driving conditions, and mileage of a vehicle, but annually is a good rule of thumb. Your vehicle may also give you indications of a problem or that a tune up is needed, the following are signs to watch out for.
- Decreased or poor gas mileage: If your gas mileage begins to plummet this may indicate you need a tune up, as this could be a result of bad plugs, wires, or a clogged or dirty filter.
- Hesitation when accelerating: Hesitation or stuttering when you accelerate can indicate an issue with your fuel to air ratio and the need for a tune up.
- Excess smoke: A large amount of smoke from the exhaust can indicate the need for a tune up, and can have a number of causes which a tune up will identify.
- Problems starting: Longer than normal start time or excessive noise when starting could indicate a problem with the ignition system and the need for a tune up.
- Unusual engine sounds: Strange or unusual noises from the engine can indicate the need for a tune up, ignoring them can lead to bigger problems.
These are just some of the indicators to watch for, but basically any unusual or abnormal behavior of your vehicle may be it telling you that it needs a tune up. Ignoring these indicators and not addressing them can turn a small problem into a much larger problem and that can cost you large amounts of money in the future and can even permanently damage your vehicle.
Understanding what a tune up is, why it is important, and how often they need to be performed is an integral part of keeping your vehicle healthy and in proper operating condition for years to come and can help prevent costly repairs. If you ask yourself when is the last time I had a tune up and can't remember, you need a tune up.