What is a Tune-Up?

Regular servicing is essential for maximizing the life of an automobile, and one particularly important service procedure is the tune-up. The term, as it’s used today, is largely outdated, but the procedure continues to have a huge impact on the performance and usability of a vehicle. See what a tune-up really entails and why it’s so vital.

What Is a Tune-Up?

A tune-up is a service procedure whose purpose is to improve the functionality of a vehicle’s engine. In the contemporary age, an exact definition of this term is hard to determine, as it has changed over the course of automotive history.

Initially, a tune-up referred to a specific set of tasks—tuning of the carburetor, adjustments or replacements within the ignition system, setting of the ignition timing, and installations of new components such as spark plugs, a distributor cap, and a rotor. Today, ignition systems are computerized and largely self-monitored, but the term “tune-up” persists. Now it often refers to maintenance procedures in general, particularly those intended to improve a vehicle’s operation. Issues concerning start-up, fuel efficiency, acceleration, or emissions are all common reasons for seeking this procedure.

What Does a Tune-Up Involve?

The specific activities involved in a tune-up can vary depending on where you take your vehicle for maintenance, though there are usually some commonalities.

Evaluations

The procedure typically begins with a series of evaluations to help the mechanic understand the condition of your engine and establish a baseline for performance. During this phase, they may examine factors such as the battery voltage, dynamic compression, ignition timing, and idle speed. They may also check for engine vacuum leaks, proper operation of the fuel feedback control loop and EGR valve, exhaust emissions, and fault codes.

Sensory Inspections

Sensory inspections are typical as well. This means the mechanic looks at the hoses and belts to check that they’re in proper working order and observes the levels and conditions of all the necessary fluids. For example, the oil should be free of sludge, the antifreeze free of sediment, and the brake fluid free of impurities. Should the mechanic find any faults, they’ll address the matters accordingly.

Replacements

In addition to the above inspections, tune-ups also involve replacements of particular components for the sake of preventive maintenance. One such component is the air filter, which protects the engine from contaminants such as dirt, dust, and sand. When an air filter becomes too dirty, insufficient amounts of air reach the engine, which can lead to problems with fuel efficiency and damage to related parts.

Spark plugs are another component that may need cleaning or replacing. These are what create the spark necessary for the ignition of the air–fuel mixture that powers your vehicle’s engine. As you can imagine, spark plugs get a lot of use. Over time, fuel residue builds up on them or the gap between the plugs’ electrodes widens. In either case, you may experience problems with starting up, idling, misfiring, or fuel efficiency.

Other parts that may require replacement are the fuel filter, oxygen sensor, and PCV valve. In older vehicles without electronic ignition, traditional tune-up replacements—such as the rotor and distributor cap—also apply.

Cleanings

Sometimes, a tune-up includes cleanings of the fuel injectors. Clogged injectors can cause misfires in the engine, which can lead to sputtering, vibrations, and stalling. Eventually, it can cause your engine to become less responsive and even deteriorate. Cleaning the injectors when necessary can preempt such problems.

Broad Diagnostic Inspections

Finally, your mechanic may elect to use the tune-up as an opportunity to perform a broad diagnostic inspection of your vehicle, in addition to examining systems such as its air-conditioning. Though these activities aren’t typical in most tune-ups, they can help identify problems that can affect automotive performance.

The Importance of Regular Vehicle Maintenance

Regular vehicle maintenance, in the form of a tune-up, can help ensure that it performs optimally. Over time, an engine becomes less efficient, using more fuel to travel shorter distances and operating more weakly. Such performance loss affects not only the speed and fuel economy of the vehicle but also the safety. Tune-ups help to bring your engine and ignition system back up to a satisfactory level. After this procedure, you may notice some immediate differences, such as a smoother ride and an overall better feel behind the wheel.

Maintenance in general is fundamental to optimizing your vehicle. It keeps your vehicle from breaking down and keeps small problems from growing. As a result, you get many years of use from it and maximize its resale value. With that in mind, consult your owner’s manual to ensure you’re keeping to an appropriate tune-up schedule. Also, monitor your vehicle’s performance for any signs of deterioration, such as decreased fuel efficiency or engine problems. If you notice any trouble, schedule a tune-up right away.

Service Specials at Keith Pierson Toyota

When you come in for maintenance at our dealership, consider taking advantage of our service specials. Just select a relevant coupon on the specials page, print it out, and present it to an associate when you arrive.

As we carry out your tune-up and other maintenance services, you can make use of our shuttle facility, which can take you anywhere you’d like within 10 miles of our location. We’ll notify you when we’re finished and your vehicle is ready. That way, you can continue your daily activities while we return your vehicle to top working order.

If you’d like to schedule a tune-up for your vehicle, let us know. Fill out our online contact form with your name, contact information, and message, and we’ll reach out to you as soon as possible. You can also call our parts department at 866-706-4236 if you’d prefer to speak with a specialist directly.

Then, when you’re ready, come on down to the dealership. Find us at 6501 Youngerman Circle here in Jacksonville, Florida. Our parts department operates seven days a week. On weekdays, we operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday hours are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., while Sundays are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We look forward to helping you get the most out of your vehicle.

Image by Nina Mercado is licensed with Unsplash License

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