Stay Tuned In and Get A Tune Up (Pun Intended)
We have talked a lot about being proactive when it comes to vehicle maintenance so that it saves you time and money from experience costly repairs or interruptions to everyday life. And a tune up is just an extra step to go a mile. Typical tune ups do not go through all vehicle maintenance systems and their “to-do’s” but it does put a large focus on the engine and the components that keep the engine healthy and productive.
A tune-up helps improve fuel economy, restore lost power, and reduce emissions, keeping the vehicle running smoothly. The frequency of a tune-up depends on the vehicle’s age, model, an owner’s driving habits and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The main items for attention when vising an auto shop for a tune up are:
- Spark Plugs: Depending on the vehicle, these can last anywhere from 30k 60k and in some instances up to 100,000 miles.
The name spark plug is self-explanatory to some degree. When you start your vehicle injectors spray fuel into the engine (where the plugs are) and from there the spark plugs ignite the fuel and combustion occurs to keep the engine running. When you accelerate the injectors will spray more fuel, therefore creating a larger combustion and therefore allowing you to accelerate at higher speeds. - Engine Air filter: Filters the air that enters the engine before it combusts with the fuel via the spark plugs. This filter ensures the air is cleaner & free of dangerous particles before the combustion phase of the process. The interval to replace this is dependent in large part of the environment where the vehicle drives most. For example, if you live on dirt roads you might have to change this more often than someone who does not.
Numerous warning signs will alert you that it might be time to schedule a routine Tune Up. However, it is up to you to “tune into” what your vehicle might be trying to tell you.
- Poor Acceleration or You notice poor fuel efficiency
- “Crank NO Start:” When you turn the key in the ignition and all you hear is a knocking or obnoxious cranking/ticking sound with no engine turn over.
- Check Engine Light Appears
- Engine Misfire: When the mixture of fuel & air does not ignite properly or right away and you’ll then notice vibrations, jerking motions, idling, etc. takes place properly in one cylinder but no
- Rough Idling or a constant or infrequent knocking sound coming from under the hood of the vehicle
Tune ups are a great and proactive way to prevent expensive and irreversible engine damage down the road. Here at Smoky Hill Auto, we want to educate our customers on tactics that can save money and prevent the headaches of everyday inconveniences. The information you’ll find on all of our pages provide insight, understanding and proper courses of action to keep you on the road safe & sound.
Call Today 303-766-9227 and make an appointment for your next fuel injection service.