10 Great Car Tune-Up Tips
If you are comfortable tinkering with your car, you can save money and help protect your investment by performing routine maintenance and tune-ups yourself. Of course, for those who barely know a battery from a fan belt, it can be advantageous to have your car checked out regularly by a qualified mechanic. But with a bit of automotive experience, more confident car tinkerers can perform most basic maintenance themselves.
The following 10 car tune-up tips will help keep your vehicle running great, without having to visit the mechanic as often:
1. Belts
Later model cars most often use a serpentine-type belt system. The biggest problem with these is that a single broken belt will render nearly all accessories inoperable, including the air conditioner. Belts should be routinely inspected for cracks and frays. One simple inspection tip is to be on the lookout for any dry white patches on engine belts. These dry spots indicate that the belt is beginning to wear out and should be replaced right away.
2. Hoses
Inspecting your engine hoses from time to time is also critical. Pay special attention to the radiator hose, examining for soft spots, swelling or chafed areas. If you should need to replace a radiator hose, began by completely draining your cooling system. After replacing the hose, refill the radiator with antifreeze and water according to your car manual's recommendation.
3. Spark Plugs
Plugs should be periodically checked, along with the distributor cap and the plug wires. If you should need to replace a plug, always use a spark plug socket to avoid cracking the plug insulator.
4. Fuel Filter
As a general rule, fuel filters should be replaced every 6000 to 9000 miles. Fuel filters are notoriously messy to replace yourself, but if you should decide to go for it, be sure to disconnect the battery first and never allow anyone to smoke in the area while changing the filter.
5. The EGR
The exhaust gas recirculation valve helps to reduce cylinder temperatures in your engine, lowering nitrogen emissions. "Pinging" sounds in your engine can indicate a faulty EGR valve, and will most likely cause you to fail an emissions test. If you have experience with these matters, simply use an external vacuum pump to check that the EGR is functioning properly.
6. Rotor & Cap
In modern cars, little if any maintenance is required on electronic ignitions. But the distributor cap and rotor can still wear out over time. To check for damage, simply remove the distributor cap and look for external cracks in the plug wires, or sparks that may be visible when the engine is running.
7. Air Filter
Dirty air filters are pretty easy to spot with a visual inspection. But regardless of how the filter looks, it's a good idea to replace air filters every 5000 to 6000 miles.
8. Radiator
Besides inspecting the radiator hose periodically, it's also a good idea to check the radiator itself for leaks or corrosion. With the engine cool, remove the radiator cap and use a small clean stick or piece of wood trim to check for obstructions. You can also feel around underneath the radiator for signs of leakage.
9. Power Steering
Be sure to check your power steering periodically and refill as appropriate. Power steering problems are usually very obvious when driving the car. Symptoms include stiffness in the wheel, or too much "play" in the wheel when driving on a straight road.
10. Transmission
Your transmission fluid should be checked every time you change your oil. It is also a good idea to flush out and completely replace the transmission fluid every 8000 miles or so. As with steering problems, any transmission problem will usually be obvious when driving.