Tune-ups
Having a healthy vehicle that won’t break down starts with maintenance. Unfortunately, many vehicle owners neglect their vehicle’s maintenance, believing that their car will last without key services or tune-ups. This is a mistake.
Neglecting tune-ups and scheduled service often causes extra wear and tear on your vehicle. This can lead to big repair bills down the road as parts that do not normally wear out fail due to dust, grime and clogging.
At Torrance Transmission Service, Inc., we go the extra mile to ensure that your vehicle is working right. Our family-owned shop has been in business since 1976, so we know how to provide expert auto repairs at affordable prices.
What Is a Tune-Up?
No matter the type or make of your vehicle, it will eventually need a tune-up. The term comes from back when cars had ignition systems with breaker points, condensers and distributor caps. At around every 12,000 miles these vehicles would need ignition timing adjustments, part replacements and carburetor adjustments. These services were known as tuning and getting these services performed was called a tune-up.
As time rolled into the modern era, cars stopped using carburetors and distribution caps in favor of fuel injections system and engine computers. However, the term tune-ups stuck around.
Regular tune-ups often involve inspecting key areas of your vehicle for wear, tear and cleaning. Parts that are often checked and sometimes replaced in a tune-up include:
- Spark Plugs
- Air Filters
- Oil Filters
- Fuel Filters
- Oxygen Sensors
- PCV Valves
- Wires
How Often Should I Get a Tune-Up?
This service is less frequent than something like an oil change. Different manufacturers recommend different tune-up intervals, such as every 100,000 miles. However, most repair technicians agree, you should try to get a tune-up at least once a year.
How Do I Know If My Vehicle Needs a Tune-Up?
The easiest way to find out if your vehicle needs a tune-up scheduled is by checking your owner’s manual. Manufacturers will provide a maintenance schedule based on the number of miles you have driven your car. However, it is important to note that driving conditions can change how often you need a tune-up.
Cars that are lightly driven around the neighborhood three times a week can probably stick to the maintenance schedule. But if you drive your car 10+ miles a day in heavy traffic, or drive through dirty construction sites regularly, you may need more maintenance than the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Signs You May Need a Tune-Up
How your vehicle drives from day-to-day will determine the time intervals between maintenance. The following symptoms may indicate if you need to give us a call to run a diagnostics check.
- Your Check Engine Light Coming On – Don’t panic. This light can come on for many reasons, some dire, some not that important. Just be sure to schedule an appointment to get the problem checked out.
- Vehicle Stalling – Random losses of power, if not addressed quickly, may lead to big repair bills. Do not delay when it comes to getting this checked out.
- Gas Mileage – Is your gas mileage lower than it should be? You may need a tune-up. Call today to schedule an appointment. Remember, servicing your vehicle can improve your gas mileage up to 4 percent.
- Misfiring and Knocking – These are both signs that there is something wrong with your ignition system. Trust our reliable mechanics to set this problem straight.
- Rough Idling – If your car will not run right when it is stopped in one spot, it probably is not running correctly while it is moving. Tune-ups can help smooth out your idling and your drive.
Trust the Experienced Touch of a Torrance Transmission Auto Tech
Engine tune-ups are an important part of caring for your car. Do not trust the job to just anyone. At Torrance Transmission Service, Inc., we do more than fix transmissions. We have decades of experience fixing all sort of problems in vehicles of all types. Call (310) 378-9217 to find out more about how we can help keep your car on the road.