Car Tune Up Basics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Except for older, more classic-type vehicles, tune-ups have changed over the years. Back in the day, a tune-up meant an overhaul of sorts to the car\u2019s ignition system, including breaker points, condenser, distributor cap, rotor and spark plugs were all adjusted or replaced. The carburetor was tuned and ignition timing was set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Modern cars come with computer-based systems designed to perform much of this work on a constant schedule. Engine timing, plugs and the lubing of joints, bearings and other parts of the suspension system are done by the manufacturer and sealed for life. If something goes wrong, you will most likely get a dashboard alert. Tune-ups today are more about simple, basic maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is a Tune Up?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is a tune-up exactly and can you do it yourself? A tune-up<\/a> typically includes an oil change (with an oil filter inspection), and a check on other components, such as spark plugs, belts, hoses and various fluids. If you don\u2019t feel comfortable doing it yourself, make an appointment with your friendly mechanic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are car savvy, you can probably do most of it yourself. That\u2019s helpful, since the national average for a tune-up<\/a> can run anywhere between $40 and $150 for a regular tune-up and between $200 and $800 for a specialized checkup, depending on the extent of what\u2019s replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your owner\u2019s manual comes with very specific intervals of when your car should have maintenance. Most routine service intervals are six months or 5,000 miles. Your warranty may depend on your vehicle receiving its scheduled service, so don\u2019t disregard it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you bought your vehicle used<\/a> and the owner\u2019s manual is nowhere in sight, you can probably find it online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you aren\u2019t performing service based on your manufacturer\u2019s schedule, there are certain signs you may notice. In a worst case scenario, the dreaded check engine light may illuminate your dash. Other signs to watch for include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n All of these signs may be your vehicle trying to signal you there is a problem and it is time for a checkup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For one thing, if your car is new and under warranty, you may void that warranty if you cannot prove you have followed the recommendations with a documented maintenance history. Routine service intervals are based on the industry standard warranty of 3-year\/36,000-mile, although you may find them as high as a 5-year\/60,000-mile warranty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from voiding your warranty, however, is the possibly even worse outcome of suddenly being reduced to walking or taking public transportation, since a vehicle that is not taken care of will eventually quit running or develop major issues. This can happen whether you drive new or older cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most service and maintenance checks include a standard list of vehicle components. You should probably get an oil change every 3,000 to 7,500 miles, depending on your manufacturer\u2019s recommendation and the type of oil you use, but other mechanisms need servicing, too, just not as often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on the environmental conditions where you operate your vehicle, choosing a good synthetic motor oil may last up to 10,000 miles between changes. The oil filter should be checked and replaced, if necessary, when the oil is changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All filters have important parts to play in keeping dust and debris out of sensitive engines and systems. Air filters keep the engine dust free, while fuel filters help maintain a smooth flow of fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll find belts and hoses throughout your vehicle\u2019s systems. Since they are in constant use, they will eventually wear out somewhere between 50,000 to 100,000 miles. Checking them on a regular basis will help you avoid costly repairs down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Places where belts and hoses play a part include your air-conditioning system, water pump, alternator, power steering in some older vehicles, and in the timing system, which drive your oil and water pumps.<\/p>\n\n\n Most manufacturers want an annual inspection. And, lets\u2019 face it: your brakes have a pretty important job! Most of the service for this important component involves checking for leaks, wear and damaged parts, including brake fluid, brake pads, calipers, drums, and rotors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve seen the images \u2013 an unfortunate person standing next to a car on a lonely stretch, hood up and steam pouring out. That\u2019s kind of what it looks like when you don\u2019t take care of the cooling system on a vehicle. When you have your cooling system serviced, technicians will examine the radiator cap, top off the coolant, possibly flush the system, and inspect and repair or replace the components of the system, including the water pump, the radiator, the thermostat and fan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conventional spark plugs are sparky until about 30,000 to 40,000 miles. These components are responsible for igniting the fuel mixture in the engine, which is what makes your car go. When the time comes, replacing them, as well as the oxygen sensor, spark plug wires, PCV valve and fuel filter is important to keep your car running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In states that still require an inspection, your car may get a failing grade if your windshield wipers are not up to snuff. But that\u2019s not the worst: imagine having a truck pass you and kick up a bunch of muddy water on your windshield. You\u2019ll be effectively driving blind if the wiper blades aren\u2019t in good shape. When you get an oil change is a great time to change these out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, whether you refer to your car as \u201cBaby\u201d or \u201cLovebug\u201d or \u201cPebble\u201d or nothing at all, it\u2019s still an investment. Your trusty steed needs to be dependable so you can rely on it to get you where you need to go while having a long life. And just like any other investment you depend on, it only makes sense to take care of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we leave you, there are a few other systems to put on your checklist for your regular maintenance schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your friends at Freeway Insurance have some great ideas on how you can stay protected on the road in your well-maintained car while spending less money on your auto insurance. Give us a call at (800) 777-5620<\/a>, get a fast and free online car insurance quote<\/a> or stop in one of our convenient locations<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most people who buy a vehicle want it to last a long time. Just like anything else, the more you take care of your vehicle, the longer it will last and the better it will run. Regular preventative maintenance, including oil changes and tune-ups, is necessary to keep your car in peak shape. Just as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1002598,"featured_media":10052,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,78],"tags":[],"importance":[],"type-content":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10050"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1002598"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10050"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10053,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10050\/revisions\/10053"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10050"},{"taxonomy":"importance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/importance?post=10050"},{"taxonomy":"type-content","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/type-content?post=10050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}How Much Should It Cost?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Often Should You Do It?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Are Signs You Need It?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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What Happens If I Don\u2019t Regularly Tune-Up My Car?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Essential Car Tune Up Checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Engine Oil and Filter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Air Filter and Other Filters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Engine Belts and Hoses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Man](\"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/Freeway-car-tune-up2.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nBrake System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cooling System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Spark Plugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Windshield Wiper<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Additional Items to Watch Out for on Your Car\u2019s Maintenance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Keeping Your Car Protected with Regular Maintenance and Affordable Insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n