Is It Time to Tune Up Your Car?
If your car is losing power when going up a slight incline, or if you are having trouble overtaking a vehicle in the slow lane, it may be time to tune up your car! Even though car manufacturers may only recommend a tune up on today's cars about every 100,000 miles (versus older vehicles that required a tune up every 10,000-12,000 miles), pay attention to how your vehicle responds to your commands, such as accelerating, starting, etc. Don’t neglect routine service items, or ignore the warning signs of problems. Take care of your vehicle and it will give you reliable service, and cost less than replacing it with a new one!
Here are a few warning signs that it’s time to tune up your car:
- Warning lights: When the warning lights on the dash panel start lighting up, it’s an indication of a potential problem with a system or component. Don’t delay in scheduling a car diagnostics. The problem may simply be a burned-out taillight, a failing sensor, or a more serious problem, such as transmission failure.
- Stalling: If your vehicle suddenly begins stalling, such as when you come to a stop and then try to accelerate again, it can put you in a dangerous situation. The problem could be a bad spark plug, a clogged fuel filter, or something more serious.
- Hard starting: If your car takes several tries turning the key before it starts, or if it won’t stay running after it starts, it could be a bad battery, a bad starter, or bad spark plugs.
- Decrease in fuel mileage: This is a sign that your vehicle isn’t operating as efficiently as it should. It could be caused by improper tire pressure, a sticking brake pad, or that it really is time to tune up your car.
- Loss of power and sluggish acceleration: This could put you in danger, such as when merging onto a highway, passing another vehicle, or towing a trailer uphill.
So how do you know what does a car tune up include? Your owner’s manual is the authority on the maintenance service schedule for your vehicle. It explains the recommended mileage and time interval for each service. Refer to your manual regularly and follow the recommended service guidelines and you will be able to drive your vehicle with confidence.
Is it time to tune up your car? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about what does a car tune up include and to schedule an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.
If your car is losing power when going up a slight incline, or if you are having trouble overtaking a vehicle in the slow lane, it may be time to tune up your car! Even though car manufacturers may only recommend a tune up on today's cars about every 100,000 miles (versus older vehicles that required a tune up every 10,000-12,000 miles), pay attention to how your vehicle responds to your commands, such as accelerating, starting, etc. Don’t neglect routine service items, or ignore the warning signs of problems. Take care of your vehicle and it will give you reliable service, and cost less than replacing it with a new one!
Here are a few warning signs that it’s time to tune up your car:
- Warning lights: When the warning lights on the dash panel start lighting up, it’s an indication of a potential problem with a system or component. Don’t delay in scheduling a car diagnostics. The problem may simply be a burned-out taillight, a failing sensor, or a more serious problem, such as transmission failure.
- Stalling: If your vehicle suddenly begins stalling, such as when you come to a stop and then try to accelerate again, it can put you in a dangerous situation. The problem could be a bad spark plug, a clogged fuel filter, or something more serious.
- Hard starting: If your car takes several tries turning the key before it starts, or if it won’t stay running after it starts, it could be a bad battery, a bad starter, or bad spark plugs.
- Decrease in fuel mileage: This is a sign that your vehicle isn’t operating as efficiently as it should. It could be caused by improper tire pressure, a sticking brake pad, or that it really is time to tune up your car.
- Loss of power and sluggish acceleration: This could put you in danger, such as when merging onto a highway, passing another vehicle, or towing a trailer uphill.
So how do you know what does a car tune up include? Your owner’s manual is the authority on the maintenance service schedule for your vehicle. It explains the recommended mileage and time interval for each service. Refer to your manual regularly and follow the recommended service guidelines and you will be able to drive your vehicle with confidence.
Is it time to tune up your car? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about what does a car tune up include and to schedule an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.
