How do I know when to get a tune up for my car?

Question

I bought a used car, and just wanna make sure things are okay. Im going to get a oil change, along with the other fluids, and I know I need my iac fixed, but what exactly will a tune up do in revelance to all of my "fixing up" and how often should I get one?

Answer 1

Basic tune ups are like oil changes.. they are more prevntative maint. then anything. If you want the car to last here are some suggestions

1) Basic tune: points, plugs, rotor, cap (depends on your type of ignition of course...) about every 6 months or 5k miles

2) Oil change: once a month is great - bi monthly is a minimum (hey.. the manual may say 20k miles or so, but trust me... a $20 oil change monthly can extend your engine by years sometime- my classic chevy has over 300k and my 71 beetle at least 200k both get changed monthly)

That makes it cheap insurance

3) Oil filter (with each change)

4) Air filter ( depends on where you live and the season) but bi monthly is a good target... if it is really dirty do it more often.. if it is really clean extend it a month.

5) Smog filter (attached to the air cleaner) change it with air filter

6) Belts... check them once a month.. replace when frayed or when you see chunks missing (replace those quickly)

7) Fluids: (oil, water, tran.fluid, etc..) check them every other - fillup.

8) Tire pressure... once a month... something else to do while the tank fills... buy a pressure gauge and keep it in the glove box

good luck with your new car.....

.

Answer 2

This one's easy and doesn't involve a trip to a mechanic to answer.

1. Make sure the car is tuned up now, and the tires are inflated correctly.

2. Now check your gas mileage every time you fill it up. Keep the oil changed and the tires inflated. If you see a drop in miles per gallon, get a tune up. This works really well if your commute involves highway driving and you use a full tank of gas between fill ups.

Answer 3

Every 30,000 miles you should get a tune up. (change the spark plugs, spark plug wires, fuel filter, oil change, and check the timing, clean air filter(with air compressor or a kit)). Also regular maintanance of an oil and oil filter change as shown in your manual. Usually about every 5,000 miles not 3,000 like the oil companys want you to do. If you don't have a manual you should get a Chilton or other repair manual for your car available at most auto parts stores.

Answer 4

Follow the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. It'll tell you what to do and when to do it. You don't say if you're the original owner of the car or not. If you are, you know what services have been done. If not, take it to the local dealer and let them recommend what services need to be done. Talk to them. Find out what's due and how much it will cost. Service writers (or service advisors) are a great resource for keeping your car in tip-top shape.

Answer 5

Just get it taken care of now and you'll want need to worry. Ask the mach when they are done or something to come back for tune up. Than you have the... noise thing. When ur car has weird noise than you can go but that's too late cause now there might of be more problems

Answer 6

depends on the age of the car!! older cars needed new plugs and distributor parts every 12,000 miles etc,, todays cars you don't change the plugs until after the first 100,000! change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles!! go to any good shop and they should have a listing of things to be done and when,, especially a dealership shop!! just write all the stuff down or ask if they have any hand outs with that info for you!!

Answer 7

oil change every 3000 miles, good suggestion go to a quick lube place they can set up the schedule for what needs done on your car or go to a respected garage that can do what needs to be done. if you do it this way they give you a little sticker on your window and the other things they will remind you to get done when it is time. on average get a tune-up 1 time a year, change oil every 3000 miles, air filter every 10000 miles

Answer 8

Rule of thumb-- every 4-6 months, depending on how much driving you do. Change oil every 2,000-2,500 miles, tune-up every second oil change. Been doing this for over thirty-five years, regularly get 300,000 miles, or better out of my vehicles, with very few problems. I currently have a chevy dually with over 300,000 miles on it, never have had to do much to it other than starters(2), water pump(1), and of course brakes(2), and one master cylinder. Oh, one thermostat. Remember always use quality parts for best results. (I only use castrol gtx oil,and a/c,or motorcraft oil filters), a/c spark plugs, and autozones best line of caps,rotors and wires). in short, take care of your vehicle, and in all likelyhood it will take care of you. In thirty years of marriage my wife to date has never been stranded along side the road, a record I am very proud of.(we have never had a new vehicle and the newest we have owned was 3 years old when we bought it). second vehicle- 1992 ford aerostar mini-van-- 186,000 miles

Answer 9

Keep track of your fuel mileage and when it goes down then get a tune up and always replace your fuel filter once a year.

Answer 10

if there is an owners manual in the glove box read it, it will tell you all your service needs and what mileage.