Tune Ups

Maintain Your Vehicle With Regular Tune Ups

Following scheduled maintenance intervals and getting regular tune ups on your vehicle is a great way to keep it running smoothly, safely and efficiently. A properly tuned vehicle can have increased gas mileage, better performance, and improved emissions (better for the environment).

What Is A Tune Up?

Essentially, a tune up is a one over by a skilled mechanic of all of your vehicle’s important systems to be sure everything is in optimal condition.

Common items that are checked during a regular tune up are spark plugs, idle speed check and adjustment, set timing, inspect the choke, throttle linkage, spark plug wires, and distributor cap. Usually a tune up includes checking the battery as well, because this is a very important component in a vehicle’s function, with a known limited life span.

Other things that are routinely inspected during a tune up are tires, transmission and fluid, brakes, exhaust, air pressure, and belts.

Simple things like checking the fluids and air pressure in a vehicle’s tires can lead to a noticeable positive difference in fuel efficiency, meaning you’ll be spending less at the pump!

Fortunately, most newer vehicles need very little when it comes to tune ups, as long as the scheduled maintenance is being performed alongside with oil changes at normal intervals.

Brakes

Stay Safe - Maintain Your Brakes!

Brakes are the most important safety device on your car. If you’ve ever partially lost your brakes in the past, you’ll agree that it’s not something you want to experience again. Inspecting your brakes twice a year for wear and damage can protect you and your passengers. Additionally, it will also help save you money by catching any damage before it becomes too costly.

Brake System Component Issues

The master cylinder, the heart of the vehicles braking system, holds the brake fluid when it is not being delivered to the brakes through the brake lines. If brake fluid leaks because the master cylinder is worn or brake lines are plugged or broken, the fluid cannot be delivered and the brake pads will become ruined.

The brake fluid itself can become dirty or contaminated as it draws rust-causing moisture and picks up other debris, or it can break down from excess heat. Clean brake fluid is either clear or slightly yellow, while dirty brake fluid may be brown or even black. Old and dirty brake fluid can damage ABS brake systems internally.

The brake lines connect to the master cylinder through a combination valve, which combines a metering and proportioning valve. It regulates the pressure on the front and rear wheels to make sure both sets of brakes are applied simultaneously. A malfunctioning combination valve may cause the wheels to lock up.

Brake System Parts Wear Out Over Time

Brake pads and shoes can be made of ceramic, metal or organic materials, while the disc rotors and drums they press against are made of metal. Because the pads and shoes create friction to stop the car, they gradually wear down over time and may wear away completely, letting the metal of the calipers and cylinders they are attached to grind against the rotors and drums and damage them. Some pads have a metal strip attached that sounds a warning whistle when the pad becomes too worn, but this strip sounds only when the car is in motion and the brakes are not applied.

Make sure to have your mechanic routinely check your vehicle's brakes to maintain the safety of your vehicle.

Automotive Electrical Repair

Information About Automotive Electrical Repair

Most of a modern vehicle’s systems are controlled by electrical components, and occasionally these components can fail. Part of what we do at Tune Tech Automotive is diagnose and repair automotive electrical components.

Check Your Vehicle's Starter

One of the most important parts in a vehicle is the starter. This is what turns the engine over when you put your key into the ignition to start it. There are a myriad of conditions that can cause problems with the starter in a vehicle, ranging from minor to major repairs. Because of this, it’s recommended to have a professional mechanic check the state and function of the vehicle’s starter once a year.

A Car's Alternator Is Essential

The next crucial part of a vehicle’s electrical system is the alternator. The alternator keeps the vehicle running continuously by charging the electrical systems. It does this by feeding a charge to the battery, which, in turn, charges the other electrical components of the vehicle. Because it is such a vital piece of the vehicular puzzle, it can be very expensive to replace. However, other things can impact the performance of the alternator, so it’s important to have your mechanic check it regularly. Many vehicles have an alternator warning light that reads “ALT” or a small battery symbol that will light up on your control panel. Some signs of a failing alternator can include erratic dimming or brightening of headlights, or speedometers/tachometers suddenly not working for no apparent reason. If you experience any of these “symptoms”, bring your vehicle in as soon as possible!

Be Aware Of The Age Of Your Vehicle's Battery

As mentioned above, a car’s battery feeds a charge to the rest of the vehicle’s electrical system. Most batteries need to be replaced every 3-4 years on average. Several factors influence battery life, such as extreme heat or cold, vibrations from consistent rough travel, and even driving style. You will find that most vehicle batteries come with a warranty for failure within one year of purchase.When a car battery is getting old and in need of replacement, you may or may not know it. Many car owners find that when their battery is around 4 years old it just dies! However inconvenient, this is actually an easy fix. Many times the life of the battery is checked with every oil change, which is usually around every 3,000 miles.

Other electrical components that we regularly repair are tail and headlights, power steering and windows, windshield wipers, and more. Many times the repairs to these electrical components are relatively simple, and due to a blown fuse or bad wiring. Sometimes car owners change these components themselves, but we can happily make sure it’s done correctly with the right parts.

Trust a good mechanic to diagnose and repair your automotive electrical problems, and be sure to contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment!

Scheduled Automotive Maintenance

Avoid Costly Repairs With Regular Car Maintenance

Everyone dreads the thought of a major car repair, but the bright side is that many major vehicle issues can be avoided by following the vehicle maintenance schedule recommended by your car’s manufacturer. Each vehicle has varying service intervals, but there are common guidelines to follow about what service to perform, and how often. Keeping up with these intervals will ensure that your vehicle keeps running smoothly and safely. The normal service intervals are three months, six months and one year. At these intervals there are several different routinely recommended services that are outlined below.

Auto Maintenance at 3 month Intervals

Every three months it’s a good idea to have your coolant level and mixture checked. Coolant helps regulate the temperature of your engine in all seasons. Keeping the right mixture and level of coolant can help you avoid potentially costly radiator repairs. Also at three months, the oil and brake fluid should be checked to ensure proper lubrication for moving parts. Other things commonly inspected at three months include power steering fluid and lug bolts. Topping off your washer fluid is also recommended.

Brake Inspections at 6 Months

In addition to the inspections above, every six months you should have a brake inspection done on your vehicle, as well as tire depth. The brake inspection will ensure your brakes have enough life in them for maximum stopping power and safety. A tire depth check is a simple check to see how much tread remains on your tires. Other commonly performed procedures around 6 months are cleaning the battery to ensure function and replacing your windshield wipers.

Check Major Running Systems Once a Year

Once a year you should bring your vehicle to a trusted mechanic who can perform some preventative maintenance. Common one year maintenance items include replacing the spark plugs, flushing the radiator, and replacing brake pads. Spark plugs are a fairly inexpensive way to keep the motor of your vehicle running smoothly, and like many other parts in a vehicle, they wear out over time. A radiator flush is just as it sounds- flushing out the radiator to avoid the build up of corrosion over time. Just like spark plugs, brake pads wear out over time. Your mechanic can easily check the wear on your brake pads and replace them if necessary.

Following the scheduled maintenance intervals recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer can save you time, money, and ensure your safety. Be sure to keep up with recommended maintenance, and your vehicle will be in great shape for years to come!