Car owners who have a little bit of mechanical know-how can often save hundreds of dollars by performing tune-ups on their vehicles at home instead of taking them to repair shops. A tune-up is a regular part of vehicle maintenance that is basically intended to keep the vehicle running as efficiently as possible. Some parts need to be replaced every so many miles or after a certain number of months or years to keep a vehicle running properly. Due to its extensive electronics, a new vehicle's tune-up does not involve as much as labor as an older vehicle.
Spark plugs are the part of your car that provides the initial spark to start your car when you turn the ignition. Your motor runs by burning fuel, but if your spark plugs can not provide enough spark to allow the engine to fire, your car will not start. Spark plugs age and become less effective over time, so tune-ups provide a regular maintenance time to replace them before you encounter a problem. Older vehicles may also need spark plug wires, which connect the spark plugs to the distributor in older model engines.
The air filter in your car collects the dirt and debris that your car takes in as it pulls in cool air from outside the vehicle. Over time, your air filter becomes clogged with this debris and needs to be cleaned or replaced, depending on the type of air filter your vehicle has.
Your car's PCV valve performs the task of removing built-up gases from the crankcase and engine. If these gases build up, it can affect the way your motor operates. The PCV valve is checked, adjusted, cleaned or even replaced during a tune-up.
A clogged fuel filter can keep your vehicle from receiving enough gasoline and affect the way it operates. Replacing your fuel filter during regular tune-ups or as recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer will keep this from happening and can improve fuel mileage.
Generally, most vehicles get an oil change at the same time as a tune-up. Periodically replacing the oil and oil filter is an important part of keeping your engine running smoothly. Old oil or a clogged filter can cause oil to clump up and not circulate properly. If oil is not circulating, your engine will run dry and may be damaged.
