Many years ago, you would often hear someone talking about having a tune-up done on their vehicle. With the newer, computer-controlled vehicles, it seems to be a less common subject when it comes to car care. You may even be wondering if cars still need tune-ups. The answer is “Yes.” Read on to find out why you should have a tune-up done on your car and what it entails.
Though the exact services may differ depending on the make and model of your vehicle, a typical tune-up is considered a major service. It usually includes an oil change along with changing of the engine air filter, spark plugs and spark plug wires. Tune-ups should be thought of as a preventive maintenance measure. One may also be recommended if your car’s engine begins to misfire, hesitate or stall. Other symptoms that a tune-up may be needed include poor gas mileage, a car that’s hard to start or one that has failed an emissions test.
What happens during a tune-up?
During a typical tune-up:
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- Spark plugs and wires are replaced. The spark plugs are needed to ignite the fuel in your engine. If one or more spark plugs are dirty, they will misfire and you’ll begin to notice a decrease in fuel economy. Your car’s engine may even hesitate on accelerations.
- Timing is corrected.As it undergoes wear and tear, the timing for your car’s engine will be off. When this happens, the spark plugs can fire or the gas can be release at the wrong time. Timing is especially critical to the performance of older vehicles.
- A scan of the onboard diagnostic (OBD) system is completed.During a scan, our technicians are looking to see if the computer is showing any codes that would indicate a problem. They are also checking the idle speed of the engine.
- The fuel filter, PVC valve and air filters will be replaced. Replacing these items will make sure the engine is receiving the proper gasoline/air mixture for the combustion process.
Has it been a while since you’ve had a tune-up? Are you experiencing problems with engine performance and gas mileage? It may be time for a tune-up. Click here to schedule an appointment to have a tune-up completed by the ASE-certified technicians at Country Road Automotive in Lincoln Park, New Jersey.
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