Staying in Tune with Your Vehicle: What is a Tune-Up?
The Meaning of Tune
You’ve probably heard the word “tune” applied to various situations. You strive to sing in tune, you tune a guitar, hope to stay in tune with reality, and you tune in to watch a live broadcast. You also need to tune up your vehicle periodically. For that and all other preventive maintenance services and mechanical repairs, count on the team at Silver Lake Auto & Tire Centers in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Since 1973, our ASE-certified technicians have been helping drivers just like you keep their automobiles running in peak conditions.
What Is a Tune Up?
Perhaps you’re wondering exactly what is meant by tuning up your vehicle. Broadly, it means that a technician checks, cleans, and/or adjusts any combustion-related components or systems. Typically, this includes changing the spark plugs and the spark plug wires and coil boots, cleaning the throttle body and intake area, and resetting the computer(s) that regulate the fuel-to-air mixture. The staff at Silver Lake Auto & Tire Centers are always happy to discuss in detail with you the steps we take to ensure that your vehicle is operating at its best and with maximum efficiency.
Is It Time?
One way to stay ahead of potential major repairs is to schedule a tune-up periodically as recommended by your automobile’s manufacturer in the owner’s manual. (If you drive under extreme circumstances, we can help you determine a planned maintenance schedule.) In the meantime, a few signs might tell you it’s time for a tune-up. The most obvious is an illuminated check engine light. That’s your reminder to bring your vehicle in for fuel system, combustion, and exhaust attention. Another indicator might be new noises that you hear while driving. Examples include squeals and knocks. Finally, a fuel economy drop probably means something needs replacing or adjusting. Regardless of the issue, you never have to worry about bringing your vehicle to Silver Lake Auto & Tire Centers for a tune-up.