Why Are Tuneups Important?

It was rare for cars before the ’80s to have any form of computer in them. Humans were involved in each step of assembling the vehicle, and the machining of engine parts was far less exact than those of today. The modern engines on today’s vehicles will go much farther without regular service. However, mechanical parts still need replacing and cleaning. These days, mechanics need computer literacy to keep an engine running at peak performance. A tuneup can give you back the power and efficiency it has lost through hours of burning fuel.

When Does a Car Need a Tuneup?

It will depend on the age, but most modern vehicles will need an oil change every 5,000 to 15,000 miles. Some manufacturers will prefer that you give your car a full service every 40,000 miles.

If you notice that your vehicle feels sluggish or seems difficult to start in the morning, this might be a sign that it’s time to take have it serviced. Dusty environments can shorten the life span of filters, and bad driving habits can wear down mechanical parts, resulting in more frequent tuneups. Driving in extreme conditions as well as on dirt tracks or construction sites can also result in having to take your vehicle in for service more often.

Here are some telltale signs that it’s time for a tuneup:

• The exhaust smokes all the time, even when the engine is idling.
• You seem to be using a lot more fuel than normal.
• The engine temperature changes a lot when you go from acceleration to a standstill.
• You have trouble starting the engine on a warm day.
• The engine struggles to stay running when idling.

What Needs Tuning?

Some parts of your car are more resilient than others, but this is not a reason to leave them alone. If you look after your vehicle, it will look after you. Regular tuneups give you better fuel economy and can lessen the chance of high repair costs later. Here are some parts that should be regularly serviced to keep your vehicle in good condition.

Oil

Modern vehicles have service lights that illuminate when they hit a certain mileage or time limit, such as every six months. There is also an oil warning light on your dashboard, but if this turns on, it usually means there is something wrong.

Oil mixes in with gasoline, soot, and small pieces of metal from the engine, making it thick and less lubricative. A mechanic will be able to change the oil and reset the warning light to remind you the next time you need to take the car in for an oil change.

Spark Plugs

Gasoline engines need spark plugs to fire the fuel between compressions. There is at least one plug per cylinder in your car’s engine. A spark plug should last up to 75,000 miles in a new car and half of that for one that’s older. Unclean fuel can damage plugs faster and lead to some cylinders not firing.

A mechanic will be able to plug your car into their computer to determine if any spark plugs need replacing. Catching problems sooner can help you save money in the long run. It may be the case that a simple solution will clean the engine and extend the life of the plug.

Diesel vehicles have glow plugs and will have trouble starting the engine when they fail.

Air Filters

Engines are like people — they thrive on smooth and clean air to function well. Fine particles in the air will reduce the efficiency of the combustion process. All engines have filters, which remove any particulates from the air passing into the sensitive injectors.

Even living in a dust-free area, soot from traffic and particles from the road will become stuck in the filter membranes. Air filters are disposable consumables and inexpensive to replace. You should replace your air filters every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. The improvements in fuel economy will easily cover the cost of the filter.

Fuel Filter

Gas stations don’t always look after the fuel in their storage tanks. Sometimes the bottoms of the tanks can accumulate sediment and residue. The same can occur with the fuel in the tank of your car, which is why there is a filter. The fuel filter prevents dregs from flowing into the carburetor and blocking the injectors.

This is another example of a simple and inexpensive service that is worth doing every couple of years or over 30,000 miles. By putting additives in with the fuel the next time you fill up, you may be able to extend the life span of your existing filter.

Timing Belt

The timing belt is vital to proper engine function. Without the belt, the piston and valves will meet in the middle, resulting in a catastrophic engine failure. If the belt fails and the valves break, you’ll need to have the entire engine rebuilt.

A timing belt is a more expensive part to replace, and it takes a professional to do the job. You can expect a timing belt to last between 40,000 and 75,000 miles, but it’s worth having an inspection with each oil change. The timing belt is a part that you don’t want to take a risk with.

Scheduled Maintenance

Taking your car in for its regularly scheduled maintenance can give a mechanic a chance to take a quick look at some other parts that might need service. You can check the oil level and the radiator levels between services to help prevent any unwelcome surprises.

The older the car, the more in tune you need to be with the way it feels. If you do sense that something is wrong, don’t make the classic mistake of shrugging it off. Follow the maintenance schedule for your vehicle and keep up with the fluids between tuneups to extend its life and ensure that you have a safe and reliable ride.

Where To Go for a Tuneup?

Independent mechanics may have some impressive credentials, but Hiley Mazda of Fort Worth has both the parts and the experience to keep your car happy. Our knowledgeable mechanics have the equipment to pinpoint issues and the expertise to fix them with genuine parts.