WHAT IS A TUNE-UP?
At its simplest, a tune-up is a type of routine maintenance to keep your car performing correctly. Regular tune-ups can extend the life of a vehicle and help ensure it is operating at its full performance potential. Typically, when to do a tune-up is included in the regular maintenance section of the owner’s manuals. Many vehicles require an annual tune-up.
Tuning-up your car can mean a lot of things. It’s a good idea to check the car’s ignition system and all filters, belts, hoses, and fluids. Many may not need to be replaced, but it will give you a chance to stop small issues that could develop into big problems if left unchecked.
WHAT DOES A TUNE-UP CONSIST OF?
1
REPLACE PLUGS, WIRES, AND OTHER PARTS IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM
The ignition system consists of spark plugs, plug wires, coils, and other electrical components that ignite the air/fuel mixture in your combustion chamber. The system has changed over the years. Some parts have been replaced by computer controllers, therefore, some items listed below may not be included in your tune-up.
- Spark plugs have a metal tip that wears down over time from high heat and high pressure.
- A symptom of worn spark plugs is a misfire when the fuel/air mixture in a cylinder fails to ignite.
- When replacing spark plugs, it is highly recommended to use plugs of the original equipment (OE) recommended metal or better. Consult your owner’s manual, repair manual, or the experts at kwikkar Lewisville to learn which is the recommended spark plug metal is right for you.
- Be sure to use a light application of anti-seize on the threads of the plugs before installation (avoid getting anti-seize anywhere else but the threads).
In DIS (distributors) applications that use one coil for multiple plugs, be sure to use either Double Platinum or Iridium plugs as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Ignition wires will break down over time and eventually fail.
- Symptoms of a failed wire are rough idle, performance loss, and eventually a dead cylinder.
- When replacing a distributor cap or ignition wires, transfer one wire at a time from the old cap to the new cap. This prevents the ignition system from becoming cross-wired, which results in a rough running engine. You can make this job easier by using a spark plug boot tool.
- Use dielectric grease in the boots to help prevent arcing and help make future boot removal easier.
Be sure that your wires are secure and routed away from exhaust components.
- Coils transform low battery voltage into thousands of volts. Over time this high voltage electricity wears out the coils.
- Signs your coils may be worn out include engine misfires, weakened acceleration, rough idle, and reduced gas mileage.
- Some vehicles use coil packs, which are typically located near the valve covers, while others use a coil-on-plug design that is over or close to the spark plugs.
- Put dielectric grease on the boot of coil-on-plug coils.
- Numerous rotations of the rotor inside the distributor will cause the metal contact point to wear down.
- A failed distributor cap causes misfires or in more severe cases a non-start.
- When performing a tune-up it is suggested to replace both the cap and rotor at the same time.
- Transfer ignition wires one at a time from the old cap to the new cap. This prevents the ignition system from becoming cross-wired, which results in a rough running engine. You can make this job easier by using a spark plug boot tool.
2
LET YOUR ENGINE RUN CLEAN WITH NEW FILTERS
Filters in your vehicle consist of oil, fuel, air, and cabin air filters. Filters keep contaminating pposts from reaching vital components in your engine and related systems. Having a clean filter improves engine performance and efficiency. Dirty filters make your vehicle work harder to get the air, fuel, and oil that it needs. This can choke off your engine or decrease the ability to deliver air, oil, or fuel at the proper pressure.
- Filters thousands of gallons of air for every gallon of fuel and will clog over time.
- Clogged air filters can reduce performance, but not MPGs on fuel injected engines*.
- Clogged air filters in carbureted engines can reduce MPG’s by 2-6% and up to 14%*.
- Some vehicles are equipped with a cabin air filtration system and thus have a replaceable filter element to keep the air inside the vehicle clean.
- A dirty cabin air filter can allow dust, pollen, exhaust fumes, and other contaminants into your vehicle’s passenger compartment and restrict airflow into the vehicle.
Most cabin air filters are easily accessible and take less than 15 minutes to change.
- Dirty oil can lead to excessive wear on internal engine components.
- An oil filter is used to filter vital engine oil of contamination and can clog if not replaced at recommended intervals.
- It can lead to high oil pressure in severe circumstances of clogging.
Should be replaced with every oil change at recommended intervals.
- Dirty fuel and contaminated fuel tanks can clog your fuel filter and lead to low fuel pressure, sometimes resulting in hesitation while accelerating or rough idling.
- It can lead to premature fuel pump failure in severe circumstances.
Should be replaced with every oil change at recommended intervals.
- Over time the Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve can become clogged by carbon build-up.
- Failure can cause the engine to run rich or consume oil due to the increased crankcase vacuum.
The PCV Valve is usually easy to replace. In many cases, it can be swapped out in a matter of a few minutes.
3
KEEP YOUR AUXILIARY SYSTEMS IN CHECK WITH NEW BELTS AND HOSES
Belts connect the pulleys of your accessory drive system which transfer the rotating force of the crankshaft pulley to the alternator, water pump, power steering pump, and other systems. Hoses transfer vital fluids throughout the engine. Over time, belts and hoses wear down due to the elements they are exposed to such as heat and cold as well as the constant use they see with day to day operations of the vehicle. They eventually wear down, glaze over, turn brittle, crack, and even break.
- The serpentine belt rides in a series of pulleys on the front of your engine.
- The belt wears down and needs replacement because of exposure to heat and stress.
- Inspect the belt(s) for cracks, fraying, glazing, or fluid contamination. Any of these conditions can cause the belt to slip or break.
- The belt tensioner maintains the correct belt tension.
- A weak belt tensioner will cause premature belt wear.
- A ‘tight or sticking’ belt tensioner will cause premature wear to the water pump and other accessory bearings.
- With the belt off, rotate the tensioner through its arc of travel. It should move smoothly and provide firm tension.
- While the belt is off check the idler and accessory pulleys for proper alignment and smooth rotation.
- The timing belt controls the internal mechanical timing of the components that keep your vehicle running properly.
- When a timing belt breaks on some vehicles, the piston can come in contact with valves that are stuck open which causes catastrophic damage.
- The timing belt is an intricate job and should be replaced on the recommended mileage intervals.
- When inspecting your timing belt, take the time to check the cam and crank seals for leaks.
Some vehicles feature a timing chain instead of a timing belt. Timing chains typically do not need to be replaced.
- Radiator hoses and heater hoses circulate coolant through the engine and the radiator to expel the heat absorbed.
- Most hoses are made of rubber and will break down over time. You can find out of it is time to replace your hoses by inspecting them for swelling, bulging, or leaks. When the engine is cool, squeeze the hoses to feel for hard spots and soft spots.
- Check the hose clamps for damage or loss of tension too. You don’t want one to let go while your engine’s hot
If a hose were to fail, the engine could overheat. Overheating can cause serious, sometimes irreparable damage to the engine.
4
MAINTAIN YOUR CAR’S COMPONENTS WITH THE RIGHT FLUIDS
Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid are necessary for your vehicle to operate properly. Contaminated fluids can lead to excessive wear on internal components. You can save money in the long run by servicing these fluids before expensive damage occurs. Regular change intervals exist for each type of fluid and as such, they need to be replaced at recommended service intervals, find out more by consulting your owner’s manual or by visiting MyZone.
- As oil circulates through your engine and is exposed to heat and pressure, the oil will become contaminated.
- An oil filter will keep large pposts from being recirculated, but will not keep the oil from providing a protective barrier of lubrication.
- Replace the oil filter during an oil change.
Oil should be replaced at manufacturer recommended mileage or time intervals, consult your owner’s manual or visit MyZone for more details.
- Your cooling system keeps your engine from overheating in the summer and prevents your engine from freezing in the winter.
- Coolant will eventually break down and become contaminated which results in the degraded flow that leads to a reduction in the ability to protect your engine.
- Flushing your cooling system with a flush product specifically designed to remove deposits every 2 years will improve the performance of your cooling system.
- Always refer to your owner’s manual to determine the recommended coolant for your vehicle. Different manufacturers require the use of different types of coolant and using fluid other than what’s specified by the manufacturer can result in engine damage.
- Be sure to mix the coolant with the correct amount of water or use a pre-mixed product that’s ready to pour in.
- Brake fluid is a vital fluid in your vehicle, without it you would not be able to stop.
- DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid are hygroscopic, which means the fluid will absorb moisture from the air. This added moisture lowers the fluids ability to operate efficiently as a hydraulic fluid.
- The dark or muddy looking fluid is a sure sign of hygroscopic contamination.
- It is recommended that the brake fluid be changed out for fresh fluid and the brake system bled to ensure that new clean fluid is flowing throughout the entire system.
- Constant gear changing inside the transmission results in wear of internal components and contamination of transmission fluid. This wear and tear make it imperative to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for transmission fluid and filter change.
- Brown transmission fluid is an indication that the fluid needs to be changed but, if the fluid is muddy, do NOT change, instead, take your vehicle to a professional for a professional diagnosis.
- Be sure to log into MyZone or consult your owner’s manual for recommended change intervals as well as the correct fluid type to be used.
- Over time contamination can cause wear to the power steering pump.
- Be sure that your power steering fluid does not appear muddy and is between the MAX and MIN levels in the reservoir.
Be sure to log into MyZone or consult your owner’s manual for recommended change intervals as well as the correct fluid type to be used.
THE POWER OF A PROPER TUNE-UP
At kwikkar Lewisville Auto Repair, we often get asked what’s included in a standard tune-up. The answer will vary from garage to garage, but generally, this is a type of preventative and proactive maintenance that targets problem areas and resolves small issues so they don’t increase in size. Most tune-ups include a thorough engine check, to make sure there are no leaks, and that it sounds and feels right when the vehicle is running. For a closer look at some of the other ways, a tune-up can improve your vehicle, check out our list of tune-up benefits.
Better Mileage: A tune-up can fix all the little things going on in your vehicle that you may not have noticed are causing you to shell out more on gas. For example, if your brakes are sticking, it could be causing your vehicle to guzzle more than usual. During the tune-up, your brakes will be inspected and brake pads might be replaced. Poor fuel mileage could also mean that your tires aren’t properly aligned, which is causing them to rotate at an odd angle, and increase friction on axles and against the road. Tire rotation and alignment can easily fix this issue and help reduce the amount of gas your car uses to drive from home to work and back.
Fix a Rough Ride: Let’s face it, as your vehicle ages, it just doesn’t run as smoothly as it used to. Maybe you’ve noticed it shaking a little bit, or having a bit of difficulty getting started in the morning, especially when it’s cold. A power check and energy check by your mechanic can diagnose both these problems and determine what’s causing the rattling and why your vehicle isn’t holding power the way that it should be. From the starter to the exhaust, hundreds of internal components could be the cause. A certified mechanic can find the problem and fix it so that you don’t have to ride uncomfortably from point A to point B.
Glowing Lights on the Dash: Each of the warning lights on your car is designed to tell you something, unfortunately not every driver is bilingual in car diagnostics. For this reason, our professional team of mechanics will work to uncover what the warning lights mean, why they’re on, and how to fix them quickly and effectively.
A Thorough Check-Up: Think of a tune-up for your car the way you would a medical check-up for your body. It thoroughly inspects working components, finds problems, and allows them to be healed. Just as your physician might prescribe medicine to fix an ailment, your mechanic will suggest having something serviced to improve handling, decrease the chance of a breakdown, and give you an overall better ride.
During a tune-up, your mechanic will perform a code scan to check for ignition troubles or exhaust leaks. He or she will also take this time to check everything from valves, rings, and gaskets to battery voltage and engine leaks. Your mechanic may not always find an issue during a tune-up, which is great news to those who love their vehicles, but in most cases, there will be one or two things to fix before you’ll want to drive again. The important thing to remember following a tune-up is that your mechanic is allowing you to fix small ant hills before they turn into molehills. We’d much rather help you repair a small part now than need to perform a major overhaul later.