How to Tune Up a Car

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Categories: Cars & Transportation | How Tos

  • Tuning up your car on a regular basis (about once a year) is important to increase the car's performance and prevent future problems. Depending on your knowledge of cars, you can tune up the car yourself or pay a mechanic to tune the car up.

  • Introduction

    • If you are familiar with car maintenance and performance, you can perform a tune up on a car yourself. If car maintenance is new to you, you should visit a mechanic for the service, but it's still useful to know what type or services the mechanic should perform on your car. This page covers some aspects to consider when tuning up a car, but your car might need additional services, depending on the condition and your driving habits.

  • Step 1: When to Tune Up a Car

    • A car requires tuning up about once every year to two years, or about every 30,000 miles. When to tune up a car will also depend on how often and under what conditions you drive. Keep in mind that even if you visit a car mechanic for the tune up rather than doing it yourself, you can save money in the long run by preventing future problems and increasing the performance of the car.

  • Step 2: Replacements

    • Tuning up a car includes replacing several parts on the car. Some of the items that might need to be replaced are:
    1. The fuel filter
    2. The air filter (should be changed every 15,000 miles)
    3. The spark plugs (you have to detach the battery before you do this)
    4. The distributor cap and rotor
    5. The positive crankcase ventilation valve (PCV)
    6. The gasket on the oil pan
    7. The oil filter

  • Step 3: Checking Up

    • You should also check on several items under the hood.
    1. If you have an older car, you might need to check the ignition timing.
    2. Check the belts and replace them if they look worn.
    3. Check the level of oil.
    4. Check the level of brake fluid.
    5. Add distilled water to the battery if required and clean the ends of the cables.
    6. Make sure the cooling system is running correctly and at the correct temperature.
    7. Make sure that the wiring and insulation look intact.

  • Conclusion

    • Tuning up a car includes replacing several components and checking on others to make sure they are functioning correctly. If you are not familiar with how to perform these tasks, it's best to have a car mechanic tune up the car.


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