Does my Car need a Tune up
There is a universal truth about mechanical devices. At the time of manufacture, they are very near their best working condition. As they are used, some parts may need to wear in before they are at their best. After which, all mechanical devices will slowly tear themselves apart until they no longer function.
An automobile is a perfect example of this as it is a very complex mechanical device. A 'tune up' is simply the inspection of individual parts and the replacement of the ones which are near the end of their useful life. While today's vehicles are built to log more miles between tune ups, they are still a necessity if you want your car to last and not leave you stranded along the road.
When most people speak of a tune up, they are usually referring to the engine. Oil must be periodically changed. Certain parts, such as belts and hoses, become worn and weathered until they fail. To keep your car running, these parts must at some point be inspected and replaced. Let's look at a few other parts whose limited lifespan require occasional replacement.
If your car burns gasoline, it has spark plugs. This lowly part can have a big impact on your engines performance. Each plug has an air gap at one end that forces the high voltage pulse provided by the electronic ignition to jump between two electrodes igniting the air/fuel mixture. When performing properly, they ignite the fuel every time. However, as they wear, they begin to lose their effectiveness, and occasionally the fuel goes unburned and provides no power for the engine. This is commonly called a 'miss', meaning that cylinder of the engine missed its power stroke.
How can two metal electrodes wear out? Well, there are three problems a spark plug can develop. The first and most common is a build up of carbon near the electrodes. Carbon is one of the byproducts of burning gas. It also conducts electricity. If enough of it is present, the electric pulse will travel down the path of least resistance through the carbon and not jump the gap, resulting in a miss.
The second possibility is that the electrodes deteriorate. Every time a spark jumps between them, a tiny part of the electrode burns away. This is a very small amount, but considering the spark jumps the gap numerous times per second whenever the engine is running, it ads up.
The third is simply physical damage to the plug. Maybe it was dropped when it was being installed or maybe an engine malfunction did major damage to it. Any of these three problems warrant cleaning, checking the air gap, and replacement if necessary. This is part of a tune up.
Another part that commonly malfunctions during the life of a car is the EGR valve or exhaust gas recirculation valve. This valve is used to readmit some of the exhaust gases back into the intake system to be re-burned, thus lowering combustion temperatures and increasing mileage. The same carbon that can ruin a spark plug can plug up the EGR system or cause the valve to stick open. In either case, cleaning or replacement is necessary. Again, all part of a tune up.
We can see then, even though today's cars are built to log many more miles between tune ups, they are still a necessity. Hoses, belts, plugs, fuel filters, EGR valves, etc. all must be inspected and periodically replaced. Check your owners manual. Most have a maintenance schedule in them. If you can't find it there, go online. You should easily be able to find a tune up schedule for your particular car.
