What Is Involved in a Full Car Tune-Up?

Posted: Apr 09, 2014
Author: Country Town Tire & Auto Service Center

You may know a lot about cars, and you may not. But one thing everyone knows is that occasionally, your car will need a tune-up. If you are more knowledgeable about cars, you probably aren’t worried about what they do because you already know what’s going to happen. But if you don’t know a lot about cars, you may have wondered what is involved in a tune-up.

What are they doing to your car? Is it just a check over to see that everything is functioning? Or are they replacing and repairing things? In truth, a full tune-up is a needed maintenance that will help your car run more efficiently, and the things the mechanic does, although they may seem small and trivial, are important to the keeping your car functioning. A full tune-up should be done about every two years.

• During a tune-up, your air filter will generally be changed. It is recommended to change this at least once a year, as dirt, leaves, and other buildup can cause the engine to get less air and decrease its performance.  
• Your spark plugs will also be cleaned or changed as needed. Having a spark plug misfire due to getting old or getting dirty can damage your car and will cause issues while driving that could include jerking while accelerating, clicking noises under the gas petal, and your vehicle reacting sluggishly.
• The rotor will be checked and/or replaced to be sure your car brake system will work properly.
• The distributor cap will probably also be replaced. Typically, this will also include changing the oil, although oil changes should be done on a more regular basis than a full tune-up.
• Other things that might be checked and replaced during a tune-up include fuel filters, spark plug wires, belts, PVC valves, and the O2 sensor.

If your car is in need of a tune-up, visit us at Country Town Tire & Auto Service Center in Hickory, North Carolina.