How often should you bring your car, truck, van or SUV in for a tune up in Waldorf, MD, anyway? Depending on who you ask, you’ll get a variety of different answers but our recommendation is every 30,000 miles, or the moment you start noticing any unusual behavior from your normally trusty vehicle.
What do we mean by unusual behavior? Honestly, it could be absolutely anything out of the ordinary, but some of the more common issues you’re likely to see that should raise a red flag include:
- Air flow issues
- Minor electrical issues of any kind
- Strange engine noises including pinging, thumping, or knocking
- Generally slow or sluggish performance in your vehicle
- Changes in the idling speed
- Or sudden reductions in the gas mileage you’re accustomed to getting
If you have an older vehicle that doesn’t have an electronic ignition system or a fuel pump, a good benchmark is to bring your vehicle in for a tune up in Waldorf, MD every 10,000 to 12,000 miles, but again, it’s important to remember that these numbers we’re throwing out here are just that: Guidelines. If you even suspect you’re having an issue, the right answer is to bring it in right away so we can have a look.
The purpose of a tune up is, after all, to ensure the longevity of whatever you’re driving. There are two central components to that. First is to replace parts that are prone to a lot of wear and tear over time. Second, is to give our skilled technicians the opportunity to look under the hood and spot any issues while they’re still in their formative stages.
After all, automotive issues never just get better on their own. They’re only going to worsen over time, and generally speaking, the more quickly we identify a problem, the easier and less expensive it’s going to be to fix it.
As to our tune up service in Waldorf, MD itself, it’s both well-priced and comprehensive, and includes things like:
- Replacing your air filter
- Replacing your fuel filter if and as needed
- Installing new spark plugs and replacing ignition system cables that have begun to show signs of wear
- Checking the valve cover gasket and adjusting the valves as needed
- Inspecting all fluids and topping them off for you
- And replacing the PCV valve as applicable
Regular tune ups should properly be viewed as a very inexpensive form of insurance. By bringing your vehicle in at regular intervals, you’ll go a long way toward ensuring it provides you with years of relatively hassle free service.
If that sounds good to you and you’re not sure how long it’s been since your last tune up, the solution is simple. Stop by our shop the next time you’re in the area and we’ll get you taken care of.