Tune-up

Why do you need a tune up?

    As strange as it sounds, the face that your car seems to be running well is no guarantee that problems - even serous ones - aren't developing under your hood.

    The reason you can't detect these problems is yours car's on-board computer.  One of its most important jobs is to keep your engine running as efficiently possible for as long as possible.  When an engine system or component begins to malfunction, the computer tries to compensate for the problem.  As a result, the car seem to be running fine when it really needs a tune-up, making other parts or systems work harder.  This means they're wearing out faster than normal, too.

    Left undiagnosed and uncorrected, engine problems today can continue to worsen until the computer can no longer compensate for them.  Then you've got a serious problem that needs immediate attention.

When do you need a tune-up?

    To diagnose and correct developing problems before they become serious, it's generally recommended that you have your car professionally serviced once a year.  If you haven't had a tune-up within the last 12 months, getting one soon is one of the best investments you can make.

    You also need a tune-up if your car begins to show any of a number of common warning signals.

•     Dieseling.  When your engine keeps sputtering and banging after you've shut off the key, It's called dieseling.  Bad gas can cause it.  But if a tankful of a higher octane gas doesn't cure the problem, call for a tune-up.  Immediately.
•     Engine "knock".  It's also called engine "ping."  Professionals call it "detonation."  You hear it most frequently when accelerating of climbing a hill.  If switching to a gasoline with a higher octane rating doesn't end the knocking, schedule a tune-up immediately.
•     Exhaust odor.  If your car is producing a really nasty smell - like rotten eggs - you've got a problems with you engine or catalytic converter.  Both need to be handled by a qualified service professional soon.
•     Hard starting.  This is the most common form of car trouble, and it's almost always due to some maintenance procedure that wasn't preformed.  A common cause is a failed electronic component.
•     Power loss.  Of all the problems that can cause your engine to loose power, the most common one is a dirty fuel filter.  If you're handy, you can pick one up at any auto parts store and replace it yourself.  If that doesn't work, your next step should be a professional diagnosis and tune-up.
•     Reduced fuel efficiency.  Many different problems can cause a drop in fuel efficiently and not all of them indicate that you need a tune-up.  If it seems you're making too many trips to the gas pump recently, start by:

  • Making sure your tires are properly inflated. (32-35 PSI)
  • Checking for uneven tire tread wear (misalignment).
  • Making certain that your parking brake is off and that no brake is dragging.

      If those aren't causing you poor gas mileage, the problem could be a transmission malfunction or other problems that need to be diagnosed and corrected.

   

• Rough running.  An engine that runs rough is a lot like a engine that stalls.  The cause could be anything from a fuel system malfunction to a burned valve and beyond.  Your best bet is to pay attention to when the car runs rough most frequently - during acceleration, for example, or at idle - and pass on the information to your service professional.
• Stalling.  Stalling is tough to diagnose, because so many different engine system and component problems can cause it.  If you can tell your service professional when your car seems to stall most frequently - when the engine is cold, for example, or when the air conditioning is funning - you'll help to find and solve the problem much faster.

Key reasons to get a tune-up:

• better gas mileage
• Reduced wear on other parts of the motor which increases overall life of the motor
• A smother and more comfortable ride
• More power

Pricing

*prices may vary due to make and module

Call for a appointment today 250-213-1959.

Call for a appointment today 250-213-1959.

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