A Tune-Up Will Save You Money In The Long Run

It's difficult to part with hard-earned cash for car maintenance. After all, you can't really see or hold what you get in return for spending your money like you can shoes, clothes or electronics. Car tune-ups, however, can save you a large amount of money in the long run. Tune-ups from trusted mechanics such as Advanced Auto Care help keep your vehicle in good working condition, making it less likely that something will go wrong, costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair. Keeping a few worst case scenarios in mind might make it a bit easier to part with the cash next time your car needs a tune-up.

The Engine

An engine tune-up includes a careful inspection of the engine itself, but also the fuel filter and spark plugs. A clean and clog-free fuel filter and spark plugs help boost the performance of your engine, which can improve your gas mileage and reduce the risk of a more severe engine malfunction. An engine tune-up also includes a check of the oil levels in your car. If your car doesn't have enough oil, the engine isn't lubricated and won't work properly. Driving around without enough oil can cause such severe damage that you'll need to replace the entire engine. Replacing the air filter is also part of the process, and a clean air filter will keep proper air flow in and around your engine.

The Battery

Most tune-ups, especially on newer cars, usually include a battery check. This is often done with a piece of computerized equipment that checks how much voltage your battery is putting out. Car batteries are relatively inexpensive, but checking the voltage can save you the trouble of your battery dying and leaving you stranded on the side of the road. A battery that isn't using it's full voltage might also negatively impact the function of your alternator, which is much more costly to repair.

The Smaller Parts

A tune-up includes an inspection of all the little parts that work together to keep your engine running. For example, an inspection of the exhaust valves and head gaskets can reveal leaks or damaged parts. Leaky or damaged parts can interfere with proper compression and function of the engine.

The Fluids

In addition to checking the levels of fluids, such as antifreeze, power steering fluid and brake fluid, a tune-up also includes an inspection of the fluids themselves. Clean fluids maximize the performance of your car, but having dirty or sludgy fluids can lead to bigger problems down the road.

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