When should I do a tune-up on my car?

Question

It's a '99 and has 109K miles and probably never has had one.

Also, what do i do when i get a tune up? Plugs, wires.........

Answer 1

You should do it now.
If you use platinum tip spark plugs, you can go up to 100k miles before your next, depending on your make and model.

Answer 2

A true tuneup probably won't be possible on a '99 model car, at least not one sold in the United States or Canada and probably not Europe or Japan.

Tune ups in the bad old days involved making adjustments to the carburetor, filing or replacing the breaker points in the distributor, and setting the spark timing. None of these are even possible on a modern car. The only surviving part of the tune-up is gapping or replacing the spark plugs, and platinum plugs have pushed spark change inverals to as much as 60,000 miles or more.

So if you've had such basic maintenance as oil changes taken care of and dealt with such things as spark plugs and timing belts (if you have them) as the need arrises, you should be OK.

Answer 3

Spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap. Change oil and coolant. If trans fluid is dark or smells bad, flush your trans and replace the trans filter. Check your CV boots for tears and rips (front wheel drive) and replace if needed. Check all your belts and hoses and replace if cracked or glazed. Check your front brake pads, rear shoes, struts and shocks. You should be good. Depending on the car model, you might get a quote on a new timing belt. If that breaks, you could wreck the engine. Repace at 75,000

Answer 4

Most cars in the last 15 or so years are built to go 100,000+ miles before a tune up is needed, when they start running rough they need to be checked.

Answer 5

You should look in your owners manual (if you still have it). It will tell you what to do when. You can also pick up a maintenance book at most auto parts stores for your car if your mechanically inclined or know someone who is (this is definitely a money saver). Your third option is to take it to an auto mechanic. Don't do anything by yourself without instr. if you don't know what you're doing. Some things are easy to do others are not. Have fun and watch out for knuklebusters.

Answer 6

It'll need more than a tune-up. You'll need a new timing belt (if it uses a belt) you'll need your o2 sensors replaced, etc.

Get a copy of the manual for the car you have, and check around the 60k mile area for maintenance, there's a lot of big stuff that has to be done around that time.

Answer 7

Most car makers have platinum spark plugs in their cars now and require a tune up every 100,000. miles. This is in order to keep your engine running at it's best. Look at the service handbook that came with your car.

Answer 8

it would definitely benefit you to do a tune up at this milage. i would change the plugs and wires. also change the cap and rotor if youre vehicle has one. i also reccomend not using the cheapest parts out there. you usually get what you pay for .

i tune my cars up every 40-60k depending on how the car is running.

Answer 9

I suggest you shouldnt tune up your car, it sounds kind of old. 109K mileage and a '99, get a new car.

Answer 10

evry 35,000 miles. Should be tuned up or at least checked. Don't for get the fuel filter,And the Transmission filter too.These items are over looked often. Out of sight out of mind.