Remember the old days when people would take their cars in for a “tune up” once in a while? These days, you really don’t hear that term being used much anymore. Is the reason just because the lingo is outdated, or is there more to it than that? Is there such a thing as a tune-up anymore, or has it become a x,000 miles service? Read on to find out.
How Often Should I Get a Tune Up?
Turns out, the answer to that question is “never.” What you need is specific scheduled maintenance for your car. There is no longer such a thing as a standard “tune up.”
The Computer Age Hits the Road
Believe it or not, engines nowadays don’t have nearly as many parts as they used to. Cars have come a long, long way. And we’re not talking in the last 75 years, either. We’re talking in just the last 15 to 20 years. Thanks to modern technology, many processes that once took place under your hood as a result of moving mechanisms are now controlled by your engine’s on-board computer.
As a result, there are far fewer parts that will need replacing throughout the life of your car. Hence, no real need for a traditional “tune up”.
You’re Still Not Off the Hook…
This isn’t to say that you can get away with not taking your car in for periodic maintenance. Your car still has plenty of moving parts that can and do wear down and will eventually need to be replaced – like belts, hoses, spark plugs, fuel filters, air filters, and fluids and brakes too. Every single one of these is critical to ensuring your car stays roadworthy and doesn’t end up giving up the ghost when you need it the most.
Taking Care of Business
If your car isn’t performing as well as it used to, don’t automatically assume it just needs “tuning up.” There might be something serious going on under the hood, and the longer you wait to deal with it the more expensive it could be to get it back in shape again.
If you go to the mechanic and ask “so, how often should I get a tune up?” they’re going to have follow-up questions for you. Be prepared.
Our advice is to get a diagnosis from a trustworthy mechanic local to you. To find one and get a bead on the best rated and most highly skilled service shop in your area, start with Openbay. Compare pricing and book service from quality local shops with the click of a button. Openbay is car repair for today’s world.
