Tune-up intervals vary from one vehicle to another. Most older vehicles with non-electronic ignitions should be tuned every 10,000 to 12,000 miles or every year, whichever comes first. Newer cars with electronic ignition and fuel injection systems are scheduled to go from 25,000 miles to as many as 100,000 miles without needing a major tune-up.
- An automotive tune up is a scheduled set of specific repair items performed throughout the life of your vehicle. They are intended to prevent a variety of major failures from happening and are necessary to maintain the reliability of your car, SUV or truck on the road.
- Feb 27, 2015 Do Tune Ups for your car really still exist? Learn the myth about the 'Tune Up' and other car parts that have become extinct on this week's Ask the Auto Man video from Brian Bowersock at West.
The word 'Tune Up' is probably the most misused and misunderstood Automotive term. According to the Merriam-Webster's dictionary under the term 'Tune-up' it says: 'general adjustment to insure operation at peak efficiency'
Before electronics came into the picture the term 'tune-up' was applied to the maintenance operation of replacing the spark plugs, distributor points, inspecting or replacing the cap and rotor and possibly replacing the fuel and air filters. There were many adjustments to be done on these cars; point gap, ignition timing and idle mixture and dwell.
This was a preventative maintenance operation that usually needed to be done about every 12,000 - 20,000 miles.
This was a preventative maintenance operation that usually needed to be done about every 12,000 - 20,000 miles.
TODAY'S CARS
Distributors are now gone and even spark plug wires are missing from many applications. Forget those adjustments, the onboard computer handles fuel mixture, timing and idle speed control. On many of the newer cars, just spark plugs, fuel and air filters and PCV valve remain of the items that we used to consider part of a 'tune up'. Someday the spark plugs may disappear also.
Distributors are now gone and even spark plug wires are missing from many applications. Forget those adjustments, the onboard computer handles fuel mixture, timing and idle speed control. On many of the newer cars, just spark plugs, fuel and air filters and PCV valve remain of the items that we used to consider part of a 'tune up'. Someday the spark plugs may disappear also.
Because the word 'tune up' can mean so many different things the manufactures don't list tune ups in their maintenance schedules. They list the items individually at specific miles or duration of time.
Due to the electronics and newer technologies the recommended mileage between 'tune-ups' or spark plug replacement has gone up to 30,000, or 60,000 and even 100,000 miles! This means that a $250 tune-up now, is cheaper than the 2 or 3 tune-ups in the same amount of mileage that were done for $100 25 years ago. Especially when you compare what $100 was worth then.
Every repair shop determines what their particular meaning of a 'tune-up' consists of. What parts are replaced and what types of tests are done. One shop may consider a 'tune-up' as throwing in a set of spark plugs and parking it on the lot, while the next may replace spark plugs and other ignition components, fuel and air filters, PCV valve and include testing to verify the electronic engine management system (if equipped) is doing its job.
If you request a tune-up, always ask what is being done for your 'tune-up' before comparing prices and don't expect a 'tune-up' to cure your performance problems. A 'tune-up' is a maintenance procedure and if it makes your car run better, you waited too long for the service. Performance problems on today's cars are usually caused by something that is not normally replaced during a maintenance tune-up.
What Does A Complete Auto-tune Up Consist Of
Best Option
The best option is to not ask for a tune up, check your owner's manual for a guideline on spark plug replacement intervals. If they are due, replace them and use original equipment style spark plugs for best performance. If you do much city driving, extended idling, towing or high speed driving, reduce that recommended mileage by at least 10 - 15%.
Fuel filters, distributor caps and rotors and PCV valves should be replaced every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Spark plug wires should be replaced every 60,000 miles.
Many new cars do not have distributor caps or spark plug wires. On some vehicles, fuel filters are part of the fuel pump and are only changed when they plug up and ruin the fuel pump.
If your car is misfiring and you don't know if the spark plugs were replaced at the last recommended interval it might be a good idea to have it done. Use the above guide for the other components.
The best option is to not ask for a tune up, check your owner's manual for a guideline on spark plug replacement intervals. If they are due, replace them and use original equipment style spark plugs for best performance. If you do much city driving, extended idling, towing or high speed driving, reduce that recommended mileage by at least 10 - 15%.
Fuel filters, distributor caps and rotors and PCV valves should be replaced every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Spark plug wires should be replaced every 60,000 miles.
Many new cars do not have distributor caps or spark plug wires. On some vehicles, fuel filters are part of the fuel pump and are only changed when they plug up and ruin the fuel pump.
If your car is misfiring and you don't know if the spark plugs were replaced at the last recommended interval it might be a good idea to have it done. Use the above guide for the other components.
A 30, 60 or 90 thousand mile service is not a 'tune-up', it may include tune up items but will also include many other services.
If you are wanting the scheduled services, ask for a price and breakdown on the scheduled service. (such as a 60,000 mile service) Asking for a 60,000 mile tune-up may not get you what is needed.
If you are wanting the scheduled services, ask for a price and breakdown on the scheduled service. (such as a 60,000 mile service) Asking for a 60,000 mile tune-up may not get you what is needed.
A Tune-up does not usually fix problems with a way a car is running.
If your car is running bad, don't expect a tune up to necessarily fix it. Computer's control the fuel and timing and perform all of the adjustments. Many of the performance problems are caused by a malfunctioning sensor, vacuum leaks or other failed components.
If the spark plugs or fuel filter are overdue, get them replaced to see if it helps, but if they're not, have a qualified technician with the correct testing equipment for your car diagnose the running problem.
If your car is running bad, don't expect a tune up to necessarily fix it. Computer's control the fuel and timing and perform all of the adjustments. Many of the performance problems are caused by a malfunctioning sensor, vacuum leaks or other failed components.
If the spark plugs or fuel filter are overdue, get them replaced to see if it helps, but if they're not, have a qualified technician with the correct testing equipment for your car diagnose the running problem.
Auto-tune Up Prices Cars
Origin of the term 'Tuneup'
Many early car's magneto ignition systems were very simple with one ignition coil for each spark plug. Each coil needed to be adjusted to provide the same spark intensity for better idle and acceleration. As these coils worked, they made a buzzing sound. When adjusted properly, they all buzzed in tune, thus coining the term 'tune-up'.
Many early car's magneto ignition systems were very simple with one ignition coil for each spark plug. Each coil needed to be adjusted to provide the same spark intensity for better idle and acceleration. As these coils worked, they made a buzzing sound. When adjusted properly, they all buzzed in tune, thus coining the term 'tune-up'.
CARS.COM -- A car tuneup is an outdated service consisting of replacing parts to bring the ignition and fuel systems up to spec for maximum engine performance and efficiency. A traditional tuneup hasn’t been available or necessary for years. Today’s remaining tuneup services include new spark plugs and cabin air filter replacement. Both are part of your vehicle’s maintenance schedule just as much as checking tire pressure or getting an oil change are — and today’s “tuneup” services are likely to be more like checkups for your car.
Related: More Maintenance Coverage
Spark plugs, for example, are typically replaced every 100,000 miles. And the federal EPA and Department of Energy say that replacing a clogged air filter will not improve gas mileage but can improve acceleration by roughly 6 to 11 percent. The agencies do not say what benefit can be derived from fresh spark plugs, but computers that control today’s engines adjust the air-fuel mixture and spark timing to compensate for wear, such as when the electrodes on spark plugs are worn down.
Even so, some car owners still dutifully take their vehicle in periodically to have it “tuned up.” Instead, what actually happens is that service technicians will inspect and perhaps test the fuel, ignition and emissions systems to look for faulty vacuum hoses, oxygen sensors and various other parts that can hurt the car’s performance. The federal government, for example, says a bad oxygen sensor can give engine computers false readings and reduce fuel economy by as much as 40 percent.
Don’t Ask for a Tuneup, Just Follow Your Car’s Maintenance Schedule
Having your vehicle serviced and inspected periodically is a good way to extend its life and keep it operating efficiently. (Here are some signs your car needs to be checked by a mechanic.) However, walking into a repair facility and asking for a tuneup is a bad idea because it indicates you’re still living in a previous century with no knowledge of what your car actually needs and have extra money to spend. Some in the auto repair business will take advantage of those opportunities.
Look in the owner’s manual for your vehicle (or separate maintenance schedule) to find what the manufacturer recommends, and see if you can even find the word “tuneup.” (Finding it with a hyphen counts; don’t worry, we’ll wait.) For example, we looked at the maintenance guide for the Ford Fiesta that also applies to other Ford vehicles. The first mention of anything related to a traditional tuneup was to replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. The only other related item was to replace the spark plugs every 100,000 miles.
Now, to find a mechanic you trust and get some proper maintenance done, check out the video below.
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