Other than changing your oil, the most important thing you can do for your vehicle is to give it a basic tune-up ever so often. This will ensure that your vehicle runs as smoothly as possible and will see you get the most life out of your vehicle.
Though you may think so, performing basic tune-up to your vehicle is not rocket science and you can do so with minimal effort and a dedicated afternoon of sweat. Here are the items you should tackle when performing a basic tune-up:
- Spark Plugs and Plug Wires: Using a spark plug socket you will take out the old plugs and prepare the new plugs for installation one at a time. When you take the plug wire off you will not want to take them off of the rotor until you are ready to replace them. Once you have the first plug out, use some never seize on the new plug’s threads and replace it in the spark plug hole. Be sure that you gap your spark plugs if they call for you to do so. You can find out the gap by asking your local parts store. Once the new plug is in replace that wire only so that you know you have the right wire going from the rotor to the spark plug. Repeat this process until all plugs and wired are replaced.
- Cap and Rotor: Take the old cap off and let it just hang for a minute. Replace the rotor that resides just beneath the cap and throw the old one away. Then use the old cap as a guide and replace the plug wires one by one. Once the plug wires are on the new cap put the cap back in place.
- Air Filter and Fuel Filter: It is also a good idea to go ahead and replace your air filter and fuel filter when doing a basic tune-up. Filters have a tendency to clog after use so replacing them will greatly increase both the fuel efficiency of your vehicle and the performance. If you are not sure where either are located, again ask your local parts store.
- Oxygen Sensor: This is also known as the O2 sensor and while some say it is not necessary to change when conducting a basic tune-up if it is bad your MPG will suffer and your car could idle very badly. While the part is sometimes an expensive one it is certainly recommended that you change it at least every 40,000 miles.
While you are already dirty this is the perfect opportunity for you to check all the levels in your vehicle such as oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and the like and also a perfect time to be sure that you tires are properly inflated. Once you have completed everything on your basic tune-up checklist and topped all of your fluids off, your vehicle should be running as good as new and a noticeable difference in performance and fuel economy is not going to be out of the ordinary.
