Is your car stalling a lot, or are you experiencing trouble getting it started? If the answer is yes, it could be a sign that your vehicle is overdue for a tune-up.
Mac’s Automotive and Radiator Repairs are ready to help you with getting your car back on track. The team at Mac’s puts safety first and is committed to delivering the highest quality automotive services. Now you can take comfort in knowing that your vehicle is in safe hands.
We want to make sure you understand what vehicle tune-ups are and why they are important. Let’s step through what a modern-day vehicle tune-up looks like with Mac’s Repairs.
Vehicle tune-ups explained
Due to the evolving nature of motor vehicles, the term tune-up may be considered a bit outdated or ambiguous. As newer cars are made, older parts are getting replaced with electronic parts. The introduction of electric parts means there is not much mechanics can actually “tune” under the hood these days.
That said, modern day tune-ups still play a key role because they still focus on making your car’s engine run better. Generally speaking, tune-ups involve checking your car’s spark plugs and making other adjustments to maintain or restore your engine to like-new performance.
At Mac’s, our vehicle tune-up is exceptionally comprehensive. For every tune-up, our trusted mechanics perform is a series of inspections that include:
- Checking your car’s spark plugs to ensure they are in good condition and working effectively
- Inspecting the engine’s fuel-system and making sure the fuel filter and fuel injectors are clean and free of deposits and other grime
- Replacing your car’s points and condenser (as required)
- Checking and adjusting the ignition timing and idle (as required)
- Checking your engine’s PCV valve
- Checking your vehicle’s engine air filter and cabin air filter
- Checking oil and coolant levels.
Signs that your car needs a tune-up
There are different ways that your car tells you that it is in desperate need of a tune-up. Keep an eye out for these common clues:
- Regular stalling – This may be due to worn out or damaged spark plugs that have created a gap between the spark plug electrodes or electronic sensing devices
- Shaking or bouncing when idle or accelerating – The reason this is occurring could be due to a vacuum leak, damaged spark plugs, or dirty fuel injectors
- Experiencing trouble starting your car – This might mean there’s a problem with the starting, fuel, or ignition system. Alternatively, it might be due to a faulty electronic component.
Our trusted expert mechanics will identify the underlying reasons you are experiencing one or more of these performance issues at your next vehicle tune-up.
When is the best time to get a vehicle tune-up?
Like an oil change or brake repair service, a car tune-up is also considered as preventative maintenance. The best time to schedule your next tune-up varies based on your car type and driving requirements.
As a rule of thumb, if your car is an older make with a non-electronic ignition, it is ideal to arrange a tune-up either annually or every 10,000 to 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Whereas, if you have a new make vehicle with an electric ignition and fuel injection systems, you can push out your tune-up for longer intervals and arrange for the team at Mac’s to tune-up your car every 25,000 to 100,000 miles.
It is essential to factor in your driving style as this will also help you to determine when it is best to schedule in your next tune-up. For example, if you drive frequently in shorter spurts (e.g., inner-city driving) or are regularly pulling heavy loads like a camper or boat, your ignition may require more regular tuning.
Ultimately, you should always refer to your car manual and adhere to the recommended tune-up intervals. However, if you are already experiencing regular stalling, shaking, bouncing, or are having trouble starting your car, it is essential to take your car to Mac’s to get it looked at straight away.
To recap
No matter what type of vehicle you drive, it is in your best interest to check periodically that your car is working at peak efficiency. Identifying worn or bad spark plugs early, may be key to making your car engine easier to start, improve fuel consumption, lower emissions, and restore lost power.
At Mac’s Automotive and Radiator Repairs, we aim to deliver the best possible automotive service to our local community. We are committed to delivering the highest quality service because we understand how important your car is to you.
Instead of waiting for your car to stall or stop altogether, book your car in for a tune-up, click here to contact your local Mac’s Radiator or complete our online appointment form.
