Many times customers call and ask to schedule a “tune-up”. The problem is that the term “tune-up” can mean different things to different people.

Sometimes what the caller really wants is an oil change and a check of their fluids. Other times they are requesting the 30, 60 or 90,000 mile service recommended for their vehicle. Often people will call because their car is not running or starting correctly and they will request a “tune-up” without mentioning that there is a specific problem the car is having.

On occasion the caller is asking for what we would call a “tune-up," which would be servicing and replacing the secondary ignition components and the related filters. So, you can see how calling to schedule a “tune-up” can leave both us and you confused as to what needs to be done.

So, what is a “tune-up"?

A full tune-up on modern vehicles will include replacing the spark plugs, and if so equipped, the spark plug wires, distributor cap and ignition rotor. Additionally, the technician will replace the air filter, fuel filter and the pcv valve. The technician will use the scanner to see if there are any current or stored trouble codes in the computer system.

Also, an inspection of the throttle body will be done and if there is excessive carbon build up the advisor will call to let you know the throttle body should be serviced. The fuel injection system should also be serviced every 50,000 miles.

The recommended mileage at which this should occur will vary depending on the make and model. A good rule of thumb is 30,000 miles for regular spark plugs and 60,000 miles for the spark plug wires, cap and rotor on cars so equipped. On cars that have platinum spark plugs, the plugs and wires will be changed together every 70,000 miles.

Your service provider should keep you up to date in regards to the tune-up needs of your specific vehicle.

Do I really need do this tune-up? If the “tune-up” is performed at the recommended interval, the car should be running fine and you will not notice much difference between how the car ran before and how it runs after.

If the secondary ignition components are not replaced in time, however, the car can begin to run quite rough and can eventually not start at all. This last month we had two cars towed in that died while driving, and after initial testing was performed, found that had the cap, rotor and wires been replaced earlier, the breakdown would have been avoided.

While spending money on a car that is running well is hard to do, avoiding a breakdown is (to quote a popular commercial) priceless.