As the kids are heading back to school, now is the perfect time to “tune-up” your car!  Since you will more than likely be chauffeuring your children back and forth from their fall activities or school, it’s a good idea to make sure your car is running  in peak condition.

The phrase “tune-up” is an old-fashioned maintenance term that only applies to older cars.  For today’s cars that are equipped with electronic ignition and at least one on-board computer which automatically adjusts fuel mixture, ignition timing and idle speed, ” engine performance maintenance” is a more accurate term.  But whatever you call it, it is necessary to have your car serviced at least once a year to maintain peak engine performance or restore the engine to its original operating efficiency.            

A tune-up is a process of inspecting, diagnosing, testing, and adjusting or replacing parts on your car that if left unchecked could cause decreased performance or other problems.  A basic tune-up includes removing and checking the spark plugs,  cleaning or replacing the spark plugs and installing them in the engine.  Your car’s distributor cap and rotor are checked for wear and cracks.  If there are cracks, moisture can get in and cause corrosion of the metal, which causes your car to misfire.  These parts should be replaced at recommended intervals or if they show excessive wear.  A tune-up also includes setting the idle speed to your car’s specifications.  These are the basic procedures performed during a tune-up but you can take this opportunity to have other systems checked out as well, such as brakes, clutch, fuel lines, hoses and belts.

The terminology used and services performed on our cars may have changed with time, but the importance of having your car serviced regularly hasn’t, so call your automotive technician and make an appointment for your fall “tune-up” today!