Car Tune Up Checklist

Vehicle maintenance is necessary in order to ensure the reliable operation of your car whether it was purchased new or used. Take your vehicle in for a complete turn-up every 30,000 miles. Tune-ups save money over the long run by helping to prevent costly engine repairs later.

Fuel Filter 
Replacement of this part helps keep dirt out of your fuel system and keeps your car running smoothly.

Air Filter 
The air filter should be changed or cleaned at each tune-up. Like the fuel filter, the job of the air filter is to keep debris and dirt out of the engine.

Oxygen Sensor
The oxygen sensor should be replaced, as this keeps a car's fuel burning efficiently and prolongs the life of your catalytic converter.

Spark Plugs and Wires 
Typically, a car has four, six, or eight of these depending on how many cylinders your vehicle uses. Mounted on each cylinder, they produce the spark used to ignite the fuel. When spark plugs become damaged from excessive use, they can cause misfires. Spark plug wires provide the electricity from the distributor in order to make the plugs fire. If your vehicle is firing inadequately, the wires should be replaced.

Belts  
All of your vehicle's belts should be checked with your tune-up. These include the timing belt and transmission belt. If these are worn, they need to be replaced. Failure of one of these belts while the car is in operation can cause it to stop immediately. Furthermore, depending on the belt that breaks, engine damage can occur if the timing belt snaps.

Oil and Fluids 
All of your vehicle's fluid should be checked with a tune-up. Oil and transmission fluid should be changed and new filters installed. Other fluids such as windshield washer, power-steering and brake fluids should be topped off.