keeping cool in hot climate traffic

Posted on: 22 September 2015

A tune-up in the traditional sense was a process once used to keep older model cars in good running condition. When you took your vehicle in for a tune-up, your mechanic checked points and spark plugs, the timing, the air filter, and the carburetor. He changed and refilled fluids and may have flushed the radiator or the transmission. But times are changing. Today's newer model vehicles are operated by computer chips, and today's "tune-up" typically involves hooking your vehicle up to a diagnostic machine to see what transgressions pop up. Use the following tips when taking your car in for regular maintenance, and you'll be happily surprised with the outcome:

Choose Your Terminology Wisely

Unless you're still driving a car from the early 1990s or before, it's likely wise to stop using the word "tune-up." Your mechanic will know that you aren't very familiar with what actually keeps your engine running. Educate yourself a bit on how today's direct fuel injection systems work, and you'll better understand exactly what sort of work your mechanic performs when he does routine engine maintenance on your vehicle. If your car regularly stalls, has trouble starting, misfires often, or experiences surges, ask for a "diagnostic check" on your fuel injection system -- not a "tune-up."

Know What's Involved

So what exactly happens when you take your newer model car in for routine maintenance? If you familiarize yourself with the process, you'll be better able to predict what it's going to cost and how it's going to improve your car's performance. Routine maintenance typically consists of the following:

• Tire check
• Brake check
• Air filter check and/or replacement
• Inspection of belts and hoses
• Fluid check -- oil, engine coolant, transmission, brake
• Steering and suspension check
• Wiper blade inspection
• Engine and transmission inspection

While some of these are self-explanatory, others are a bit more detailed. A fluid check, for instance, involves more than just topping off levels. Fluids are inspected for sediments and then flushed and replaced if found unsatisfactory. And a check on your steering and suspension can help identify worn springs or shock absorbers -- two important parts that affect how well your tires adhere to the road surface and how much stopping distance your vehicle requires. Much of this is identified by hooking your car up to diagnostics. 

Keep a Responsible Schedule

Recommendations for routine maintenance vary according to make and model, but savvy car owners keep to a regular schedule to ensure the best performance. General guidelines include the following:

• Check your tire inflation, working condition of your exterior and interior lights, and windshield washer fluid level frequently. These all have a direct impact on your car's safety and should always be in the back of your mind.
• Make sure you adhere to regular oil changes. The old recommendation was about once every 3,000 miles. In most newer model cars, it's unnecessary. Changing your oil once every 5,000 to 6,000 miles is generally fine. 
• About once every three months you should consider having your mechanic check the condition of your belts, hoses, battery cables, filter, and fluids. 
• Take your vehicle in once yearly for alignments, a battery check, and to have your exhaust system inspected. 

If you follow these basic tips when approaching your mechanic for routine car maintenance, you'll both have peace of mind. He'll realize that you understand the exact nature of the work he needs to perform, and you'll look like you know what you're talking about. It's a good start to a relationship that benefits both parties, and that's more important than you may realize when it comes to keeping your car running smoothly.