If you own a car, you should know that cars need routine maintenance, like oil changes. While these things will help keep your car running well, your car also needs a tune-up from time to time. A tune-up is best performed by a dealership, like Thompson Crysler Dodge Jeep ram Baltimore. Most dealerships offer a tune-up that includes an oil change, air filter replacement, check and replacement of spark plugs and usually a few other things. Oftentimes, after a tuneup, the car will run better. While it might have fixed a small issue, it is not meant to fix problems but to extend the life of an engine.

Does a Car Need a Tune-Up?

Before it was recommended that you get a tune-up every 30K- 40k miles. With the newer cars, you can drive much longer before you need to get a tune-up. When the car starts to perform at a less than optimal level, it is time to get a tune-up.

Fuel Filter

Fuel filter used to need to be changed often because it keeps the debris and particles from getting into the engine. With the fuel today, it is cleaner and improved. Now, a fuel filter replacement is not required as often. During the tune-up, the technician will look to see if you need a new fuel filter or not.

Fuel Injector Flush

In older cars a fuel injector flush can be very beneficial. It cleans the pistons, valves and fuel injectors. This can help the engine compression and help older cars get slightly better gas mileage.

Battery

Depending on the age of a battery, it could be getting weaker. As the battery ages, it starts to hold less of a charge. After checking the battery to see how it is holding a charge, the mechanic might recommend a new battery.

Spark Plugs

Spark plugs give the engine the spark that starts the combustion, which runs the car. If the spark plugs are not working properly or are worn down, the engine will not run the way it is meant to. The engine could have misfires, the ignition coils could fail, have a lack of power and the gar would have poor gas mileage. Depending on the type of spark plugs used in your vehicle, conventional or long life, you will need to have them replaced every 30,000-50,000 miles or 50,0000-120,000 miles.

Air Filter

It is important to have the air filter changed. If the air filter is dirty, it puts a strain on the engine. The more strain the more everything has to work harder. This causes the engine to use more gas and it causes parts to break down faster. An air filter isn’t expensive and it is something you can do yourself. It is recommended that the air filter is changed during your tune-up unless it was done with 3,000 miles. Once the air filter has been changed, the engine can breathe better and makes it more efficient.

If the car is idling roughly

If the engine is idling roughly, stalling or there is a check engine light on, the mechanic might suggest cleaning the throttle body sensor. The throttle body can become dirty with carbon deposits and this will keep it from working properly.

Belts

One more thing the mechanic will look at during a tune-up is the belts. The serpentine belt and the timing belts are extremely important and if one breaks it can cause damage to the engine, but it will definitely leave you stranded wherever you are. If the belts are looking worn, dry rotted or show cracks, it is better to plan on having them changed rather than waiting for them to break.

Routine maintenance keeps your car performing well and helps to prevent larger issues. The tune-up will help maintain the life of the engine.