How To Tell When It’s Time for a Tune-Up

Routine maintenance is the best way to keep your vehicle running properly for as long as possible. By following the service schedule in your owner’s manual, you can save yourself costly repairs and headaches down the road. Vehicles are complicated pieces of machinery, but knowing when it’s time for a tune-up doesn’t have to be.

First and foremost, be sure to follow your oil change schedule. The motor oil is what keeps your engine running smoothly and you want to be sure that oil is clean! Over time, motor oil becomes dirty and begins to break down. If you wait long enough, it turns into what the technicians in the shop refer to as “sludge.” Dirty motor oil can and will damage your engine, the most expensive part of your whole vehicle. Luckily, the oil change schedule can be found in your owner’s manual, and once your oil has been changed, the technicians put a helpful reminder sticker on your windshield indicating when you need to have your car service again.

Your spark plugs should also be changed on a regular schedule found in your owner’s manual. That being said, there are a few telltale signs that you made need to change your spark plugs ahead of schedule.

If your vehicle has a rough idle, you may need to change your spark plugs. When you vehicle is stationary with the engine running, the engine should produce a smooth, constant sound. A rough, jittery idle can be indicative that the spark plugs are not functioning properly.

If your vehicle is not starting up right away, it may be that your battery is low, or it may also be that your spark plugs are not providing the spark needed to get the engine turning.

A faulty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire, meaning that at least one of the cylinders is not firing properly. A misfiring engine is not only jerky and unpleasant to drive; it also produces higher amounts of emissions, and can cause your vehicle to fail a state inspection.

Another sign of spark plugs that need to be changed is lack of acceleration. This is very easy to notice. You will put your foot down on the gas and the vehicle either does not respond at all, or it responds more slowly than usual. On a related note, because the engine is not running at peak efficiency, you will notice that you are going through gasoline faster than usual. Replacing the spark plugs will keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently.

 

Tags: how do i know when to change my oil, how do i know when to change spark plugs, when do i change oil, when do i change spark plugs
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