Performing a tune-up as part of a routine vehicle maintenance program for today’s modern gas engines is much different than cars of the past. This article looks at what constitutes tuning up a modern gas engine, when spark plugs need to be replaced and goes over a brief summation of cars of the past. First let’s look how vehicles of the past were usually tuned up.
Vehicle Maintenance and Tune-Ups for Older Cars
Cars of the past used a distributor that would send a spark to each individual spark plug. As part of the tune-up procedure, the points and condenser inside the distributor would normally be replaced. Often times the distributor cap would also be replaced. The engine ignition timing would be checked to make sure that it’s functioning correctly. Naturally all the spark plugs would be replaced.
As part of a routine vehicle maintenance program, a tune-up was usually performed at 30,000-mile intervals. At the same mileage interval, many other maintenance services were performed. Some of the other common routine services at 30,000 miles usually included
- engine oil and filter change
- tire rotation
- air filter replaced
- fuel filter replaced
- automatic transmission service
- radiator coolant drain and refill
- spark plugs replaced
- tune-up
Depending on the vehicle make and model, there can be other variations of what the pros call a “major service”. On carbureted engines, a carburetor service may be included. For fuel injected engine, an injector flush service maybe performed. Other service may also include the battery, power steering fluid, axle fluid and brake fluid drain and refill.
Vehicle Maintenance and Tune-Ups for Newer Cars
The majority of new modern cars don’t have a distributor, so points and condenser don’t have to be replaced. For the more modern fuel injected gasoline engines, the basic tune-up may just consist of replacing spark plugs and possibly cleaning the throttle body. Due to modern vehicle technology, some services don’t have to be performed for 60,000 miles or more.
Because of current engine and spark plug technology, the spark plugs don’t have to be replaced at 30,000-mile intervals. In fact as part of routine maintenance, many vehicles don’t have to change the spark plugs for 100,000 miles or more. Some modern vehicles don’t even have fuel filters. Many cars of today don’t have to have a transmission or cooling system service for 100,000 miles!
Manufacturer’s Recommended Scheduled Maintenance
Auto service shops will often try to sell maintenance service that may not be required. If an auto shop recommends a service, the car owner should ask them if the car manufacturer recommends the service at the current vehicle mileage. If the factory doesn’t recommend the service, the car owner should ask why they’re recommending the service. There may a valid reason they’re recommending the service. On the other side to coin, the reason may be they just want to line their pockets.
When in doubt on what service should be performed when, it’s always best to consult the manufactures recommended maintenance schedule. The schedule can normally be found with the owner’s manual packet. In most cases the schedule can also be found on the manufacturers website. The factory-authorized dealer should also have information on recommended maintenance service intervals.
James Clausen - Clausen received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration in Automotive Management and Marketing at Northwood University, graduating ...
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