Sky-high car repairing costs can be a real headache. Probably the only solution to this problem is conducting preventive maintenance on a regular basis. It will not merely save you a hefty sum of money in the long run by avoiding repair costs, but will keep your ride in a good shape as well. The following are the 9 key car tune-up services you should never overlook.
What is a Car Tune-Up?
Car Tune-Up Checklist
1. Get Your Battery Terminals Cleaned
Long road trips in hot weather conditions can negatively impact the efficiency of your battery. By cleaning the terminals of your battery you can elongate its life and achieve maximum performance. Fortunately, performing this task is effortless. All you need to do is cut off the cables carefully and shower a small amount of baking soda directly on all terminals. Lightly spray water over them and allow this paste to settle. After an hour, wipe the mixture away by using a moist sponge. Lastly, it’s advised to get in touch with an expert in case you find this process a little too complex.
2. Keep All the Car Fluids Checked
You might need assistance of a professional to change coolant, power steering, brake, engine and wiper fluids. However, you must learn to check the levels of these fluids yourself. Some of these fluid levels can be seen directly, while others have dipsticks or gauges which can be pulled out to examine current levels. Reading through your car manual can also be helpful in making this chore done. Keep a close eye on leaks; they can be extremely damaging.
3. Get the Windshield Wipers Replaced
For some motorists wipers might not be so important. In reality, they are responsible to keep the nice visibility through windshield. Good thing is that wipers are not very expensive and can be changed quite easily. Getting them replaced on a regular basis will help you drive around safely and will increase the life of your windshield as well.
4. Tire Rotation and Wheel Balancing is Crucial
Tires and wheels are undoubtedly the most vital part of your vehicle. They make sure that you go from point A to point B securely. Naturally it is the section of car that is prone to a great amount of deterioration since it constantly keeps in touch with the road. Replacing a tire set of tires can be pretty hard on pocket. In addition to this, even a single unexpected tire or wheel failure can lead to fatal consequences. Therefore, getting them tested by experts on a regular basis is a must do.
Many tire manufacturers require regular tire rotation in order to keep their tire warranties valid. Tire rotation preserves balanced handling and helps maintain traction. Regularly rotating your tires helps even out tire wear and it promotes even wear across the tire tread pattern. That prolongs tire life.
5. Brakes
If your automobile is due for a brake job, it’s important you have it done right away. Broken or damaged brakes mean danger for you, your passengers, those in other cars around you, and pedestrians. Without this important component running properly, you run the risk of destroying your car, ending up in a hospital, and damaging other property. You never know when the brakes will go out, but if your car is giving you signs, it’s time for you to pay attention.
6. Check the Pressure of Tires
Similar to wheel balancing, keeping a close eye on tire pressure is another noteworthy car tune-up service. You can use any simple gauge in order to make sure that the current pressure of your tires is in line with advised PSI. It’s generally mentioned in owner’s instruction manual. The tires start bulging out due to low air pressure. It consequently puts extreme pressure on tire’s sideways, which can result into a blown tire. On the other hand, too high pressure will not let the tires make sufficient road contact. It can lead to weaker grip of tires on road, and that will be dangerous, especially in wet conditions. All these aforementioned risks should be adequate to depict the significance of appropriate pressure of tires.
7. Check all the Lights
Make sure all your vehicle’s lights are in proper working order.
Lights play a critical role in safe driving, as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen. From the driver’s seat you may not notice a light that isn’t working, so inspect all your car’s lights and replace those that are out. These lights include your headlights, taillights, all your turn signals, and your brights.
Lights are normal wear items that require periodic inspection and replacement. The vehicle lighting system provides nighttime visibility; signals and alerts other drivers; and supplies light for viewing instruments and the vehicle’s interior. In addition to replacing dimming, rapidly blinking and non-functioning lights, the following tips can help keep you safe:
- Keep headlights, taillights and signal lights clean. External dirt and debris can dim operational lights from being seen by others.
- Make sure that your headlights are properly aimed. Misaimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road.
- If there is any doubt on whether your headlights should be on, turn them on. Lights not only help you see better in early twilight; they also make it easier for other drivers to see you.
- Don’t overdrive your headlights; you should be able to stop inside the illuminated area, otherwise you are creating a blind crash area in front of your vehicle.
Keeping your vehicle’s lights properly cared for will help ensure a safer ride, keeping the road ahead well-lit and giving you a clear view.
8. Inspect the Cooling System
This is particularly essential if you happen to live in an area where sun showers down scorching heat. Under such a situation, you can never afford your cooling system to suddenly break down even for five minutes. It would not be surprising to get heat strokes and heat exhaustion in such severe weather. Hence, it will not be a wise decision to sit back and let your AC running without expert’s assessment till it conks out. Getting your cooling system regular examinations will help you escape massive trouble.
9. Look over All Belts and Hoses
Belts and hoses are spread all inside the car. They act as connectors between different components of the vehicle and are indispensable to keep fans and radiator function properly. As a result, the engine does not get overheated. Hoses must feel solid, not bendy, and soft. Connections must be fastened as well. With the passage of time belts usually begin splitting. That’s why it is important to examine them regularly.
10. Tune-up Your Car’s Ignition System
Ignition system’s another major component of your vehicle that generates and transfers spark to engine’s combustion chamber. Some notable symptoms of faulty ignition system include spark plugs and any worn out wiring, high emissions, hard start, and no start at all. After expert tune-up, your ride must start quickly rendering increased performance and lower levels of emission.
11. Examine Drive Belt
The engine of your car houses a wide array of mechanical components including AC compressor, water pump, and alternator. It’s the drive belt that actually runs all of these sections. Generally, the belt is manufactured by using top-grade rubber material. However, it does wear out with time mainly because of oil leaks, excessive heat, road dirt, and water. A damaged belt will eventually breakdown. In that case, you would not be able to drive your vehicle. Thus, avoiding drive belt tune ups on time can bring gigantic monetary and mental annoyance.
Apart from these major car tune-up services, some other parts that demand consist maintenance include power steering, light bulbs, serpentine belt, timing belt, brake flush, transmission, shocks and other similar components. Regardless of how huge or small, cheap or expensive; each and every section of your vehicle is critical to its dedicated function and performance. Inspecting and maintaining them regularly would definitely save your precious money and ensure your safety too.
Engine Tune-Up Services – Denton, TX
All About Imports, LLC (AAI) serves Denton, TX and the surrounding communities in the DFW area. We provide factory level service and regularly scheduled maintenance for Honda, Acura, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Infiniti and Scion vehicles. We also provide limited services for other select Asian imports. With friendly and honest technicians you can rely on us for car tune-up services, or for advice on how to service and maintain your vehicle. Call us today at (940) 566-2125.