Car Tune Up Basics: Everything You Need to Know

Tune-ups are all about engine maintenance so your vehicle starts well, runs smoothly and operates as efficiently as possible. Today’s cars need tune-ups far less often than older vehicles did, but regular work is still required.

“Taking care of your car doesn’t require you to be a mechanic,” says Alex Black, chief marketing officer at EpicVIN. “A little attention can save you a significant amount of money, and simple tasks like changing wiper blades, checking fluid levels and replacing your air filter are easy, quick and beneficial.”

All the basic tune-up tasks you’ll read about here are possible for any handy person working in a driveway or garage with a set of sockets and wrenches. More advanced tune-up work involving diagnostic equipment is best handled by a professional. 

Before you get started, obtain a copy of the maintenance schedule for your vehicle. This will alert you to exactly which engine tune-up procedures are required at specific mileage intervals. 

Signs Your Car Needs a Tune-Up 

The odometer reading is the most important sign you need a tune-up. All vehicle manufacturers specify when to complete engine maintenance procedures based on mileage, and it’s best to follow their guidance. Poor starting, erratic running, decreased gas mileage and lack of power can all be signs that your car really needs a tune-up badly, but you shouldn’t let things go that far. 

Why Does a Tune-Up Help? 

Vehicle engines include many parts working together. As these parts wear down and deteriorate with usage and time, they change slightly. A tune-up re-establishes the critical adjustments and components needed for best engine performance. 

What’s Included In a Tune-Up 

This varies depending on the design of the vehicle and the mileage, but these are some of the basics: 

Air Filter Replacement

Your car engine consumes a much greater volume of air than fuel, and this air needs to be clean before it enters the engine for combustion. Most automotive air filters have pleated paper elements, and although you can clean air filters after removing them from the vehicle, it’s best to replace a dirty air filter with a new one. Specific air filters are made for your particular make, model and year of vehicle. 

Spark Plug Replacement

There’s one spark plug for each engine cylinder, and most vehicles are designed to allow at least reasonably easy access to spark plugs. If you’re changing spark plugs yourself, apply anti-seize compound to the threads of each new plug before installation so they come out more easily next time. 

Ignition Component Renewal

As with spark plugs, the distributor cap, rotor and spark plug wires are all part of your vehicle’s ignition system. The distributor cap accepts all the spark plug wires and is part of the system that distributes gas-igniting sparks to different engine cylinders as needed. The ignition rotor (not to be confused with a brake rotor) sits inside the distributor cap and is responsible for the direction of electricity to the various contacts within the distributor cap. Spark plug wires need to be replaced less often than the distributor cap and rotor. 

Fuel Filter

As dirt accumulates in a fuel filter, it slowly restricts fuel flow to the engine. Fuel filters are usually inexpensive and easily changed, so it makes sense to install a new one regularly before your engine shows signs of trouble. Lack of power and stalling after a few minutes of running can be signs of a clogged fuel filter. 

PVC Valve

This simple, emissions-related component wears out over time and is usually easy to change. 

Computer Diagnostics

This requires special equipment but gives insights into the performance of the fuel system, ignition system and emissions system. It can alert you to weak engine components before they start to cause trouble. 

Change Engine Oil and Filter

Strictly speaking, changing engine oil is not a traditional part of any tune up, but it is vital to change oil at the intervals specified by the manufacturer. So you might as well change the oil while you have the hood up for the tune-up tasks. 

FAQ

How Much Does a Tune-Up Cost?

It varies depending on your vehicle’s model, age and specific needs, but if you do it yourself, count on $100 to $200 for parts including filters, belts, spark plugs and fluids. If you take it to a shop, double or triple that number.

The repair shop bill could also rise with additional services like cleaning the fuel system, ignition coil replacement and computer diagnostics, says Timur Gizzatov, owner of Gleamworks. “More than likely you’re looking at higher costs if the vehicle is expensive or old, but frequent tune-ups can save you a lot of repairs as time goes by,” he says.

Which aspects of a tune-up are most important?

Changing the engine oil and filter, spark plugs and air filter are the most important tasks to prioritize. Also, check the fluid levels, including coolant, brake, oil, gearbox and washer. After that, make sure to stick to manufacturer recommendations for the proper intervals in which to check or change the ignition coils, fuel filter, belts and timing belt/chain.

“Tune-ups typically focus on the enhancement of ignition parts and the general efficiency of the engine, so key areas include anything that impacts fuel combustion, plus ensuring filters are clean to optimize airflow and fuel delivery,” says Joe Giranda of CRF classic.

About the Experts

• Alex Black is chief marketing officer at EpicVIN. He has been car expert for more than 15 years, working at car auctions, vehicle history providers and more. https://epicvin.com/
• Timur Gizzatov is owner of Gleamworks Paint Protection Film & Ceramic Coating Centre in Vancouver, BC, and has been working as an automotive expert since 2007.
• Joe Giranda is Director of Sales and Marketing for CFR Classic, where he’s worked as an automotive expert for 23 years.