3 Questions You May Have About Car Tune Ups
If you do not normally perform regular maintenance on the cars you drive, your vehicles may end up wearing out way sooner than they would have if you spent a little money on regular auto maintenance services. Car tune-ups are one of the best services you can choose for maintaining a car, and they are helpful in many ways. Here are three questions you may have about car tune-ups.
Are They Really Necessary?
To determine whether a tune-up is necessary or not, you could compare a car tune-up to your body. If you take good care of your body, visit a doctor regularly, and make the right choices for your health, you will probably stay healthier and live a longer life. The life of your car is similar to this. With regular tune-ups, your car is more likely to stay running longer, and you may be less likely to encounter major problems with it.
During a car tune-up, an auto mechanic will perform a number of steps. The main steps include the following services:
- Oil change
- Air filter replacement
- Spark plug replacement
- Fuel filter replacement
- Battery test
- Belt tests
- Fluid top offs
- Visual inspection of many other parts
Each of these services is designed to keep your car running more efficiently and longer. If you fail to have these things completed, your car will not be able to run at its best.
When Should You Get One?
You may also wonder when you should get a tune-up on your vehicle, and there are two main ways to determine the answer to this big question. The first way you can decide when to get a tune-up is by looking at a recommended schedule. Your car manual might state when your car should get tuned up, but if it does not you may want to go by a standard tune-up rule. This rule states a tune-up is needed every 30,000 miles or every two years, whichever comes first.
The other way you could decide when to get a tune-up involves waiting until your car begins experiencing issues. The problem with this method is that you may end up allowing a lot of damage to your car's engine if you wait too long. Still, a lot of people choose this method, and they may wait until the car has the following issues:
- Trouble starting the vehicle
- Reduction in engine power when driving
- Misfiring of the engine
- Poor gas mileage
If you are currently experiencing any of these issues, getting a tune-up may help you find the causes of these problems.
How Much Will It Cost?
Car tune-ups do not come with just one standard price; however, you can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $1,000. The exact price will depend on your location, the shop you choose, the services included, and the work your car needs.
If your car is in good condition overall, the amount you will pay will be on the lower end. On the other hand, you may end up paying a lot more if the mechanic finds a lot of problems that need to be fixed in order to get your car running properly.
Once the complete tune-up is finished, you can expect your car to run a lot better. Your car is likely to start easier, have more power, and get better gas mileage. You may also have an easier time passing an emission's test if needed. In addition, if you choose to get tune-ups on a regular basis, you may see less of a decrease in the value of your car if you choose to sell it at some point in the future.
If you have not hired a mechanic for a tune-up on your car recently, you may want to consider doing this now. It could help you save money in the long run, and you will probably be pleased with the way your car runs after having this service completed. To learn more, contact a business that offers car tune-ups to schedule an appointment.