The Tune Up And Why It Matters

Over time, any machine will degrade in terms of its mechanical efficiency. A car is not just a machine, but a series of them, all working in conjunction to move two thousand pounds of steel from place to place. At this job, it is exceedingly competent. But like all machines, your vehicle will work better when it is serviced from time to time. This service comes in the form of a tune up. Once every year or so, a mechanic can do a full session of preventative maintenance, bringing your vehicle back to the tip top condition it should be in.

Part of what makes a tune up so valuable is the replacement of parts that are worn out. Not major parts, but things like the air filter, spark plugs, and other pieces that aren't designed to last forever. When you replace these parts, you are extending the life of your vehicle and preventing major car repair from being in your immediate future. Mechanics will differ when it comes to exactly what they do during this preventative maintenance, but it will usually include taking a look at the air filter, the spark plugs, the distributor cap, and various other parts of the engine to see if they need to be cleaned or replaced.

Of course, one of the reasons a tune up is important is that it gives a mechanic the opportunity to take a good look at your car and see if anything out of the ordinary needs to be done. Often, car problems begin in such a way that you won't know for some time. When they begin to make noise, cause the car to run poorly, and display other obvious symptoms, it can sometimes be too late to fix them cheaply. This is one of the reasons so many people are burdened with expensive car repair bills. By taking your vehicle in for preventative maintenance, you can avoid those huge bills.

If you are in need of a tune up, seek out an honest mechanic in your town to perform the service. This is a ripe opportunity for the disreputable shop to go on an "upselling" spree. Upselling is when a shop tries to push more expensive services on you, even if they aren't necessary. Knowing the customer has no clue whether or not they need these services or not, shops are able to make a tidy profit in this way. This is why it is a good idea to do your research and find a shop you can trust.