Engine Tune Up

Years ago when you could buy fuel with the change in your couch cushions your vehicle needed regular and frequent Tune-Ups.   Services such as replacing ignition points and spark plugs as well as adjusting the engine timing were necessary every 15,000-30,000 miles.  Carburetors would even need little adjustments with the changing of the seasons to keep the engine running properly.  The cars we drove back then didn’t make it to 100,000 miles or if they did it was very irregular.  Today’s modern vehicles last significantly longer than they used to.  Finding a vehicle with 100,000 miles on the odometer can mean that the engine is just about broken in.  This increase in service life is thanks to precision engine parts, Maintenance, and life times of engineering genius and advanced technology.  These technological advances mean that the “Tune-Up” has had to evolve as well.

At Import Auto we understand each step of the Tune-Up process and how they can differ as much as the vehicles themselves.  Each manufacturer uses different mileage or time intervals and even those can change from model to model.  Depending on the vehicle the Tune-up can consist of Spark Plugs, Fuel and Induction System Services, Valve Adjustments, or even Oxygen Sensors.  Some vehicles use spark plugs that can last upwards of 100,000 miles which is longer than the expected service life of some of our older vehicles!  

Does My Car Need A Tune Up? This is a question we get asked almost every day.  Sometimes as the driver you can Feel Like Your Car Is Not Running Ok or that it isn’t running the way you expect.  Maybe the last time you drove to a Jazz Game your fuel gauge didn’t move as close to empty as this time.  Maybe merging onto the highway didn’t feel like it was as much of a struggle as it does now.  With the highly evolved Ignition and Fuel Systems on vehicles such as BMW, Audi, and Subaru these subtle warning signs can turn into check engine lights and tow trucks if not addressed.  You drive your vehicle every day and you know better than anyone how it should feel.  

At Import Auto we follow manufacturer recommendations and use only parts that meet or exceed their specifications.  We know that following these recommendations will help keep you on the road worry free.  With your Tune-Up we will also perform our Digital Safety and Maintenance Inspection.  This Inspection allows us to show you pictures and notes of any current or future concerns on your vehicle. By keeping you informed on upcoming Tune-Ups and services we make sure you can plan accordingly and help avoid the unexpected.  Catching these items before they become a major issue helps keep your money where it belongs: with you.