They say that a man’s best friend is his dog, but his car probably ranks right up there, as well. While pets and cars may not really compare, they do both require attention and care. Cars are too often taken for granted until something goes wrong. 

Instead of taking chances, ensure the longevity, safety, and peak performance of your vehicle with regular maintenance, including tune-up service. The following are some of the reasons why tune-up service results in a more dependable ride:

Enhanced Performance and Fuel Efficiency

Tune-up service involves a comprehensive inspection and adjustment of various components, such as the spark plugs, fuel injectors, and ignition system. These adjustments contribute to the optimization of engine performance. When your engine is running well, it consumes fuel more efficiently, which saves you money at the pump.

Prevention of Serious Breakdowns

A tune-up service allows technicians to identify and address potential issues before they escalate into major problems. By catching and fixing minor issues early on, you can prevent unexpected breakdowns that could leave you stranded on the side of the road. This proactive approach not only ensures your safety but also saves you from potential inconvenience and costly emergency repairs.

Prolonged Engine Life and Cost Savings

The engine is like the heart of your vehicle, and its well-being is crucial for overall performance. During a tune-up, components that experience wear and tear over time, such as belts, hoses, and filters, are inspected and replaced if necessary. Regular maintenance ensures that these components are in optimal condition, leading to a longer engine lifespan. This, in turn, extends the overall life of your vehicle, saving you money on premature replacements.

A Safer and More Comfortable Drive

A well-maintained car offers a smoother and more comfortable driving experience. A tune-up service not only enhances performance but also addresses issues related to steering, braking, and suspension systems. This contributes to a safer driving experience by improving control and handling, which is particularly important when driving in challenging weather conditions or maneuvering to avoid a collision.

Emission Control and Environmental Impact

Modern vehicles are equipped with complex emission control systems designed to reduce harmful pollutants released into the atmosphere. A properly tuned engine ensures that these systems function efficiently, leading to lower emissions. By minimizing your car’s environmental impact, you contribute to cleaner air and a healthier planet.

Maintenance of Manufacturer’s Warranty

Many car warranties require regular maintenance to remain valid. Neglecting tune-ups and other recommended services could void your warranty, leaving you responsible for the full cost of repairs. Following your car manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule ensures that you’re covered in case of unexpected issues.

Care For Your Investment with Tune-Up Service

Your car is an investment that requires consistent care to perform at its best. Car tune-up service is not just a routine maintenance task; it’s a proactive approach to ensure optimal performance, safety, and vehicle service life. Don’t be tempted to skip a tune-up! Remember that this small investment can yield significant returns in terms of both performance and your wallet.

When you should get an oil change depends mostly on what type of vehicle you have. The old rule of thumb used to be 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. Thanks to new, more sophisticated technology, many of today’s cars are equipped with oil-life monitoring systems that let drivers know when an oil change is needed. While some systems are based on mileage and time, more advanced systems detect and analyze the condition of the vehicle’s oil. As with most car maintenance, you should check your owner’s manual to know when you should get an oil change. 

Why are oil changes important? 

As miles accumulate on your car, oil decreases in effectiveness and becomes saturated with dust, water, and combustion residues that cause engine corrosion. The high operating temperatures of your car also cause the thermal breakdown of oil. This makes it less effective as a lubricant. Lubricant is essential in the prevention of engine part wear due to excessive friction. Acid neutralizing additives in oil also decrease in effectiveness over time. 

Even though your car’s oil filter traps much of the dirt, eventually the filter will clog and the contaminated oil will bypass the filter through a relief valve. When oil becomes dirty and thick it also becomes abrasive and causes more wear. 

Consistent oil changes will improve engine performance because clean oil performs much more efficiently than dirty oil. Regular oil changes are essential to a vehicle’s performance and safety and will also help prevent costly repairs throughout the life of your vehicle.

When you get an oil change, your service technician will replace your car’s oil with a full synthetic oil, synthetic blend, or high mileage motor oil, depending on what’s recommended for your particular vehicle. The old oil and oil filter will be removed, replaced, and recycled. Many shops also perform courtesy services such as:

• Topping off fluids
• Checking vehicle lights
• Lubricating chassis as necessary
• Inspecting belts, hoses, steering, suspension, skid plates and undercarriage
• Checking windshield wipers
• Checking car battery

Regarding oil changes, AAA cautions, 

“Less frequent oil changes on newer engines make it essential that you check the oil level monthly and top it up as needed. While many engines will use less than a quart of oil between changes, others can consume as much as a quart every 600 to 700 miles. Maintaining proper oil levels can help you avoid costly car repairs; engine wear or damage resulting from low oil levels will not be covered by your new-car warranty.”

Having auto work done can be a bit of a stressful experience, since most of us do not know a lot about the inner workings of a vehicle. That is why it is very important for you to have the utmost confidence in the experience, capability, and professionalism of your auto service provider. What is the best way to have that confidence? Choose a Certified Technician to do your auto service and repair.

What Makes a Certified Technician Different? 

An independent non-profit organization called the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), has established standards to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals. In addition to passing an ASE Certification test, certified technicians must have completed two years of on the job training or one year of on the job training and a two-year degree in automotive repair to qualify for certification.

According to ASE.com, 

“The tests are challenging. Only two out of every three test-takers pass on their first attempt. To remain ASE certified, professionals must retest every five years to keep up with ever-advancing automotive technology.”

How Do You Benefit From Choosing a Certified Technician?

You will have confidence knowing that your technician knows how to service or repair your specific vehicle make and model. ASE technicians receive comprehensive training on parts used in a diverse range of makes and models. Some technicians also earn original equipment manufacturer (OEM) certifications to perform repairs on globally recognized vehicle brands. These OEM certifications assure that an auto body technician has not only been trained to repair specific makes and models, but they are also tested and evaluated.

Along with up-to-date training, certified technicians understand and use the latest technologies when servicing your vehicle. Shops that use the most advanced technologies will complete your services and repairs with speed and precision.

Another advantage of using certified technicians is their commitment to best practices. Since certification standards must be met, certified auto body technicians develop and implement car repair best practices to keep their shops accountable. 

Perhaps the most important way that you benefit from choosing a certified technician is that your work will be done by a professional who cares about you and your vehicle. Technicians work hard to achieve and maintain their credentials, and they do so to provide you with confidence in their abilities and satisfaction with their work.

Don’t stress about car repair or put off essential vehicle service because you are not sure where to go! Choose an ASE Certified Technician with confidence.

Transmission fluid is an essential lubricant that cools and protects the moving components in an automotive transmission. This lubricant also enables the gears to shift properly. Vehicle fluids tend to degrade over time – transmission fluid is no exception. The deterioration of transmission fluid can be accelerated in the case of a car that does a lot of city driving, or a truck that does regular hauling. Flushing the transmission clears out degraded transmission fluid so it can be replaced with new transmission fluid.

In addition to clearing out old fluid, a transmission flush washes away tiny particles, such as clutch material and metal shavings, which accumulate in the fluid over time. When transmission flush service is neglected, those particles clog passages and wedge between moving parts, causing wear within the transmission. Regular transmission service allows your transmission to function properly significantly longer, which means you’re less likely to breakdown and be faced with a major transmission repair.

Transmission service is typically recommended every 50,000 miles. As with all auto services, it is important to refer to your owner’s manual to see the recommendations for your specific vehicle.