Though most car manufacturers have their own idea of when you should take your car in for a tune-up, it’s actually something that you, as the car owner should determine. Of course, there are set standards for tune-ups. Some people say once a year or every two years and some say every 30,000 to 100,000 miles. If you drive an older vehicle without an electronic ignition then you should get a tune-up more often, around 10,000 to 12,000 miles.
Factors That Affect When You Will Need A Tune-Up
Many things can affect how often you get a tune-up, such as your driving habits. Do you commute every day through stop and go traffic? Do you spend a lot of time driving on interstate highways? The area where you live can also affect your car. Cities that are close to the ocean have a much worse problem with salt. It can rust out the body but can also get in the engine. The weather in Florida can be humid as well, causing various issues. Pulling heavy loads like a camper or boat can put additional wear and tear on the ignition system.
Instead of going by some rule book about when to have your car tuned-up, it’s better if you decide based on your driving habits, local weather conditions and other similar factors. If you’re an experienced driver, you can probably tell when something’s wrong in the engine or the steering doesn’t feel right. It’s a good idea to listen to those little clues because an ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure.
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Sometimes you can tell when a tire is low by the way the car handles. There are often clear indications of a clogged fuel line or dirty air filter. If you’re an experienced driver who never puts hard miles on the car or takes it into bumpy, dusty areas, then you should be able to drive anywhere from 25,000 to 100,000 miles before having a tune-up.
If you’ve noticed that the car idles roughly or is hard to start, these are clear signs you need a tune-up. Tune-ups should be performed by an experienced auto mechanic who has the right equipment to check the fuel system, filters, spark plugs, electronic ignition and other important systems.
