How Often Does a Car Need a Tune-Up?

Most vehicle owners know that they need to take their cars in for regular maintenance like oil changes or tire rotations. One commonly requested maintenance procedure at our auto repair shop in Salt Lake City, UT is a tune-up. What most vehicle owners don’t know, though, is how often a tune-up needs to be done or what it entails.

With today’s cars, a “tune-up” is very different from what it used to be. Older cars had to be adjusted to maintain the correct ignition timing, fuel delivery and more, but newer cars have computers that control all of those things for us. Instead, today’s tune-ups largely consist of replacing spark plugs, air filters, PCV valves and other parts that can fail over time.

Generally speaking, your car should go in for a tune-up every 30,000 miles or so, although some cars can go longer based on their make and model and the parts they use. To know exactly how often your car should get a tune-up, you should refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or speak to an auto repair professional.

However, there are also some general signs that you should take your car in for maintenance that don’t rely on mileage. If you notice one or more of these signs, your car should probably get checked out:

• Check engine light: The check engine light on your dashboard is designed to come on when something in your vehicle is not running how it should be. While this doesn’t necessarily mean you need a full tune-up, you may need a single part replaced. Take your car into an auto repair shop in Salt Lake City, UT as soon as possible to find the source of the problem.
• Difficulty starting: When you put your key in the ignition and turn it, the car should start right away. If it doesn’t, or runs for a few seconds before shutting off, there might be an issue with the battery or ignition system, which can be addressed in a tune-up.
• Stalling: If you put your foot on the gas and your car doesn’t move right away (or at all), it probably needs a tune-up. Don’t delay in taking a stalling car in, because stalling can be extremely dangerous in traffic.
• Vibrating: If your car vibrates when you steer to the left or right or while braking, you should take it in for a tune-up as soon as possible.
• Poor gas mileage: If you are filling the tank more often than usual without driving significantly more, your car might be in need of a tune-up. Cars typically decrease in fuel economy over time, but sudden changes usually indicate that something is amiss.

Getting a tune-up will help increase the longevity of your vehicle by keeping it at peak operating performance and maximizing gas mileage. Additionally, taking your car to a repair shop allows a mechanic to identify any other issues your vehicle might have, potentially saving you money in repair costs down the road.

AMR Auto Repair & Towing can help you with any and all vehicle issues, from towing to roadside assistance to major auto repair. Our auto repair shop in Salt Lake City, UT is backed by over 15 years of experience, so you know your car is in good hands. Call us today!

Categorised in: Auto Repair Shop

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