Tune up

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This article is about automotive maintenance. For the band, see Tune Up!.

A tune up (also known as a major service) is regular maintenance performed on an automobile, or more generally, any internal combustion engine. Most automobile manufacturers recommend a tune up to be performed at an interval of 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or two years, whichever comes first.

[edit] Maintenance performed

A corroded spark plug.

The term "tune up" is derived from the practice of tuning an engine's ignition timing. Modern automobiles use self-correcting, computer-controlled ignition, and so tuning is required very rarely.^[1] However, the term has survived to refer to a single service that covers multiple components, usually the following:

Replacement of the fuel filter.
Replacement of all spark plugs and wires. This may involve removing a manifold on certain engines, especially those with a V cylinder configuration.
Replacement of various other ignition components, such as the distributor cap and rotor.
Adjustment of the distributor cap angle on vehicles without electronic, or 'distributorless', secondary ignition usually with the aid of a timing light.
Inspection of serpentine belts and replacement as needed.
Replacement of the air filter.
Adjustment of the clutch on cars equipped with a manual transmission.
Battery service as needed, including cleaning any corrosion on the terminals.
Replacement of the PCV valve.

[edit] Justification

As with all preventative maintenance performed on an automobile, tune ups can prevent myriad problems from occurring on a vehicle. The filters replaced can clog with use and prevent flow, starving the engine of fuel or air. Spark plugs have a recommended service lifetime of either 30,000 miles or, in the case of platinum or iridium plugs, 60,000 to 100,000 miles (96,000 to 160,000 km), and old spark plugs may cause engine misfire.