Tune-Ups: A Misnomer Of The Automotive Industry
Anyone over the age of 30 remembers when tune-ups were a regular part of auto maintenance. If you neglected taking your vehicle in for one, you might have eventually found yourself stranded by the side of the road. Times have changed and cars have changed with them. They no longer have carburetors. They don’t use distributors. In fact, most of the mechanical parts that were recalibrated during a traditional tune-up have been replaced by more advanced parts and systems. For example, carburetors have given way to sophisticated fuel injection systems.
Despite this automotive evolution, millions of drivers still think they need to get a “tune-up.” Of course, most repair shops are only too happy to let the myth persist. In this article, I’ll explain what the term actually means today. I’ll also describe the parts under the hood that are usually replaced when you take your car in for a routine check-up.
What It Means Today
Unless you’re driving a vehicle that is old, the term actually has very little meaning these days. As I noted, the original purpose of a tune-up was to adjust a vehicle’s mechanical parts. Like a watch, those parts would slowly get out of sync over time. The mechanic would put them back into sync.
Today, cars don’t use mechanical parts. Computers and electronics have largely taken their place. Having said that, most drivers should take their vehicles in for periodic “servicing.” An auto technician will replace the spark plugs and make a few tweaks to the engine in order to improve its overall performance. Your car’s ignition timing, idling, emissions, and even the air-fuel mixture are all controlled by the computer.
Other Parts That Are Typically Checked
When you take your vehicle in for servicing, the mechanic will normally check the voltage generated by both your battery and the charging system. He’ll also check for any air leaks that may have developed in the engine vacuum. And even though your computer is running the show, your mechanic may also look at your vehicle’s idling speed and ignition timing.
Can Spark Plugs Really Last 100,000 Miles?
Spark plugs that come with newer cars can reportedly last for up to 100,000 miles. Let me clarify two important points. First, even though the spark plugs can last that long, they often go bad before that. Second, just because they can potentially last for 100,000 miles does not mean your car can do without regular maintenance and servicing. You still need to have the oil changed every 5,000 miles (but, refer to your owner’s manual for the last word on this). You also need to have the air filter changed once in awhile.
The main point here is that tune-ups are really a misnomer that has lasted much longer than its usefulness. Instead, your car simply needs regular maintenance and servicing to stay in good running condition.
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Tags: Car Maintenance, Tune Up