Is your auto in College Park, MD due for a car tune-up? Find out how to tell when these important adjustments are needed. We go over many tune-up tips in this service blog.
What Is a Car Tune-Up?
In short, a tune-up is basic maintenance on parts of your vehicle that are easily prone to wear and tear. For older vehicles without computer-based fuel injection and distributionless ignition systems, such parts include the carburetor, rotor, and distributor cap. With more modern autos, belts, fluid replacements, hoses, filters, and spark plugs (or other ignition components) are common targets of a tune-up.
Regular tune-ups can help extend the life of your vehicle and optimize its performance. As such, keeping the engine tuned is especially important by taking steps such as cleaning the fuel system. Driving a car where the parts are degrading can ultimately wear down the engine and negatively impact mileage. You may eventually face costly repairs. Now that you know the importance of tune-ups, how often should you get them?
The Timing of a Tune-Up
Several factors can impact the number of tune-ups required, from the vehicle’s age to its make and model. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top considerations.
Vehicle Type
Your manufacturer’s recommended service schedule is the best guide for determining when tune-ups are needed. Your vehicle manual will typically provide a certain number of miles before different parts need to be updated or replaced. For example, with preventative scheduled maintenance, vehicles may need engine oil and fuel replacements around every 5,000 miles or 6 months.
At 15,000 miles, or 12 months, additional parts like microfilters are replaced while a more comprehensive inspection occurs. If you have an EV or hybrid car, maintenance intervals will likely be longer because fewer parts are involved. With a Nissan vehicle, it’s important to get a multi-point inspection, when it’s suggested by the manufacturer.
Driving Conditions in College Park, MD and Beyond
Since weather and climate can accelerate wear and tear on your vehicle, these factors can naturally affect tune-up timing. Nissan vehicles are classified as either Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 maintenance.
Temperate climates, such as in College Park, typically fall under regular Schedule 2 maintenance. More severe climates with inclement weather or drastic temperature changes, on the other hand, will need more frequent tune-ups and maintenance, usually in roughly half the time of a typical tune-up.
Vehicle Age
As the miles accumulate on your vehicle, parts will falter and eventually fail. Tell-tale signs a tune-up is in order include a significant drop-off in gas mileage, stalling or other performance deficiencies, or strange noises emanating from the engine. If you have an old vehicle (pre-1996), these signs may be your only indication of problems. And they will likely necessitate frequent tune-ups.
Newer vehicles will have better barometers via the on-board diagnostics system. This system will alert you with visual and sometimes audio warnings to engine, brake, or other parts problems. If you receive any alerts, you should not delay a tune-up.
Is It Time for a Tune-Up in College Park, MD?
Contact the service department of DARCARS Nissan of College Park for expert inspection and maintenance that’ll help your fine-tuned ride stand the test of time.
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