Extend the Life of Your Car – Book it in for a Tune up Once a Year

Posted: Aug 15, 2012
Author: Country Town Tire & Auto Service Center

A car is a complicated machine and, as such, it needs preventative maintenance to keep performing well. A tune up once a year is a good opportunity to have this maintenance done. If you ensure that your vehicle has a regular tune up, you’ll maintain its performance and extend its life.

A tune up typically includes replacement of certain parts that might seem superficial, but failure to replace them on a regular basis can cause decreased performance and other problems.

For instance, the air filter should be replaced every year (much more often if you do a lot of driving). A dirty filter robs the engine of the air it needs to run efficiently. If the filter is not replaced, the air-fuel mixture becomes too rich. This means that there’s not enough air and too much fuel in the mixture and, eventually, other parts will fail. It also hurts your gas mileage.

In addition to replacement of the air filter, a tune up includes cleaning or replacing the spark plugs, rotor, distributor cap, PCV valve, fuel filter and the oxygen sensor.

Some Signs That Your Car Needs a Tune Up

• Lower Gas Mileage: You notice that you’re using more gas than usual.

• Difficulty Starting: When you start the car, does it battle to crank or turn over?

• Brakes Feeling Spongy or Soft: This could indicate low brake fluid. Another symptom of this is a squelching or squeaking noise when the brake pedal goes down too far.

• Chugging/Sputtering: When you turn the car off, it chugs or sputters.