Does My Car Need a Tune-Up?
Does My Car Need a Tune-Up?
Posted on April 12, 2020
Vehicles are very expensive investments that most people want to last a long time. That is only possible when the vehicles are maintained regularly, including both preventative and unexpected maintenance. A car tune-up is one of those preventative maintenance items, performed once a year or so, in order to maintain a vehicle's performance and extend its lifespan.
So, the short answer is yes, your car does need an annual tune-up in order to ensure all parts are in working order.
What car issues should concern me?
There are several signs that your car needs a tune-up. These signs often occur due to regular wear-and-tear on the vehicle. If the vehicle does not start as easily as it did previously or it starts fine but runs and idles roughly, it needs to be taken to a mechanic or service centre. In addition, if the car misfires, lacks power, or suddenly starts getting really poor fuel economy, it should be taken in for a tune-up. Mechanics should be informed of all possible concerns and what is going on with the vehicle, in order to tailor the tune-up to address those concerns.
What is a car tune-up?
A tune-up includes the checking and replacing of vehicle parts that are subject to a lot of wear and tear. If the parts are not replaced, vehicles can start to see decreased performance, as well as a host of other issues. Common parts that are checked and replaced during a tune-up include air filters, spark plugs, fuel filters, and batteries.
When do spark plugs need to be replaced?
It is fairly obvious when spark plugs need to be replaced. Like the name indicates, spark plugs provide a spark to initiate combustion in the engine. If they are worn out, the engine will not run properly--misfiring, poor fuel economy, and a lack of power are all indicators that a vehicle's spark plugs need to be replaced. Depending on the type, spark plugs can last anywhere from 30,000-120,000 miles. This could be a short while or a long time, depending on the amount of miles driven annually on the car.
When do air filters need to be replaced?
Depending on the vehicle, air filters are recommended for replacement every 15,000-30,000 miles. If the car is driven on unpaved or dusty roads, an air filter might need to be replaced sooner because its job is to prevent dust and sand from getting inside the engine and damaging it. A car's engine will breathe better once the filter is replaced, reducing the stress placed upon it.
Who Should Perform a Car Tune-Up
It is a good idea to keep on top of maintenance items before they become issues--a car's owner's manual can inform drivers of what type of maintenance is recommended and when. Be mindful of your vehicle while driving to determine if anything feels or seems out of sync. Catching a problem and replacing a wear-and-tear item early can save you a lot in the long run.