Car Tune Up
A car tune-up is a suite of preventive maintenance services performed on a vehicle to ensure it continues to perform well.
A tune-up typically includes replacing several important wear-and-tear parts, like the air filter, fuel filter, oxygen sensor, positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve, and spark-plug wires. Spark plugs inspection and cleaning are a must. An oil change and oil filter change, tire rotation, cabin air filter, brake inspection, transmission fluid change, and coolant-system flush may also be on the agenda. Check your owner’s manual for your manufacturer’s recommended service intervals for all systems.
Regular vehicle maintenance is one of the best ways to protect your investment; performing a tune-up will extend the life of your vehicle. Check out our guide to see a few ways you can get your ride back in tune.
WHAT DOES A TUNE-UP CONSIST OF?
1. REPLACE PLUGS, WIRES, AND OTHER IGNITION PARTS
- Coils transform low battery voltage into thousands of volts. Over time this high voltage electricity wears out the coils out.
- Signs your coils may be worn out include engine misfires, weakened acceleration, rough idle, and reduced gas mileage.
- Some vehicles use coil packs, which are typically located near the valve covers, while others use a coil-on-plug design that are over or close to the spark plugs.
- Put dielectric grease on the boot of coil-on-plug coils.
DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR AND BREAKER POINTS (IF APPLICABLE)
- Numerous rotations of the rotor inside the distributor will cause the metal contact point to wear down.
- A failed distributor cap causes misfires or in more severe cases a non-start.
- When performing a tune-up it is suggested to replace both the cap and rotor at the same time.
- Transfer ignition wires one at a time from the old cap to the new cap. This prevents the ignition system from becoming cross wired, which result in a rough running engine. You can make this job easier by using a spark plug boot tool.
- Older vehicles pre-1974 usually contain breaker-points which need to be adjusted / replaced on a regular basis.