“Sounds like you need a tune-up!” It’s probably something you’ve heard someone say in a movie, or even to you after a rough engine turnover. It’s enough to get you thinking about visiting a mechanic. The problem is, most people know they need routine service, but aren’t sure exactly what they’re paying for when they ask for a tune-up. What is a tune-up, exactly? What do tune-ups do?
In short, tune-ups keep your vehicle functioning optimally. A simple tune-up is enough to help you maximize your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, and it could be what keeps you off the side of the road while you’re rambling through Conway, AR. Here’s a look at what tune-ups are, what they cover and why they’re worth paying for.
A type of preventative maintenance
Like an oil change or a brake flush, a tune-up is a form of preventative maintenance designed to save you time, money and frustration, while improving the performance of your car. If you don’t get an oil change, for example, friction will overtake your engine, old oil will gum up and you’ll find yourself paying thousands for delicate engine repairs. Tune-ups are a much broader form of service, but just as important.
A tune-up usually covers all the incremental things that make your car run—things that aren’t generally serviced during other routine procedures. Examples include checking the tension on your belts, cleaning or replacing your spark plugs or cleaning the heads of your fuel injectors.
Generally, you should get a tune-up once per year. Many dealerships and service centers will advertise tune-up services as part of other routine maintenance, making it easy to remember to get one the next time you’re in the shop for something else.
What does a tune-up cover, exactly?
Tune-ups generally focus on three things: cleaning, replacement and recalibration. For example, you might have your fuel injectors cleaned, your spark plugs replaced and your belts re-tensioned (adjusted).
The scope of a full tune-up is larger than you might expect, making it well worth the money to have one annually. Generally, if you visit a service center and ask for a “full tune-up,” they’ll clean, replace or recalibrate the following parts and components:
- Air and fuel filters
- Spark plugs
- Battery
- Belts and hoses
- Distributor cap
- AC system
- Fuel injectors
- Oxygen sensor
- PCV valve
A good rule of thumb is that the older your vehicle, the more thorough a tune-up will be. Newer cars typically have better technologies and systems to manage their operation, and don’t need as much human intervention to stay running right.
Here’s why it’s worth it
Now that you know what a tune-up is and what it covers, you’re probably wondering if it’s worth it. Absolutely! Your vehicle is a delicate piece of machinery that needs full cooperation of all its systems to work. Paying mind to the little things—items that may be overlooked during other routine service—ensures your vehicle stays in top functional condition.
What do tune-ups do? In a nutshell, they keep your car running! So, if you’re wondering if they’re worth it, wonder no more. Instead, call up your local, trusted mechanic in Conway, AR at Riverdale Automotive and ask to schedule a tune-up appointment without delay.