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If you haven’t had a vehicle tune-up in a while, you may be wondering: how do you know if you need a tune-up? And, if you’re experiencing performance issues, will a tune-up stop your car from shaking? Every vehicle is different, which makes it harder to know when it’s time for your next service appointment.
So, how often should you get a tune-up on your vehicle? Typically older cars with non-electric ignitions should be serviced at least every 10,000 to 12,000 miles or yearly. Vehicles that are newer with fuel injection systems and electronic ignition can be serviced every 25,000 to 100,000 miles without needing a serious tune-up. Whether your car is an older or newer model, the service professionals at Toyota of Cedar Park can help keep it running in peak condition on the Austin roads! Below are five symptoms to watch for that will let you know that your car, truck, or SUV may need to schedule service for a tune-up.
Fuel mileage can be difficult to gauge unless your vehicle has an MPG monitor, but if you’ve been driving your vehicle a while on the Leander streets, you should notice this drop in fuel efficiency. There are many factors to take into account when determining your vehicle’s fuel economy, including the operation of your engine, the performance of your emissions system, and how your vehicle drives. That said, there are many other reasons your vehicle may lose fuel efficiency. For instance, poor wheel alignment can drastically affect your vehicle’s gas mileage, but it can also be a strong indication other problems are occurring under the hood. The best way for any issue to be diagnosed is to know the signs that your car needs a tune-up and bring it in accordingly.
Have you heard any strange noises that you’re not familiar with coming from your vehicle while driving? Some of these noises may be harmless, but they may very well be a serious indication that your vehicle may have a new problem. For example, a thumping noise could mean that a part is loose; a screeching noise could be a sign that you’re low on fluids. There is a series of interconnecting moving parts to continue running smoothly. If any of these parts become loose or broken, it may cause noises, and those noises will get louder and worse if your car isn’t serviced. Don’t ignore these tune-up symptoms and bring your vehicle in to Toyota of Cedar Park as soon as possible.
We know safety is important when you’re driving, and the brakes in your car are as important as your airbags. They should be responsive, functional, and, of course, effective while driving. You may not know when you will need that extra braking capacity, especially since all brakes decline gradually on their own. Or, you may have a sudden issue where your car begins to shake while braking. Either way, it’s time for a tune-up. Will a tune-up stop your car from shaking? Yes! During the tune-up, our professionals will diagnose the issue, whether it’s declining brakes or an out-of-line suspension, and get you back on the Georgetown roads. Don’t wait too long, though. Driving with bad brakes or when your car is shaking is dangerous, and should be remedied as soon as you can.
How do you know if you need a tune-up? If you have noticed any warning lights, it is probably a sign you should bring your vehicle in to be inspected. People often don’t take their warning lights seriously—like the check engine light—which usually results in more costly repairs. This is one of the biggest signs that your car needs a tune-up, so don’t ignore it!
If your engine is struggling to start this could be a sign of several issues, most of which are preventable if you are proactive with your tune-up schedule. It could be that the spark plugs in your vehicle are misfiring and preventing your vehicle’s engine from turning over. By simply replacing one of these spark plugs, you can save on time and costs with your mechanic. A regular tune-up is important because these issues can be caught early on, so you won’t cringe from costly repairs.
Getting a tune-up means bringing your vehicle in for service. So, how long does a tune-up take if you follow the recommended schedule? While it will depend on whether or not your vehicle is a more recent model year or an older used model, tune-ups can take anywhere between one to four hours. Typically, cars that are well-maintained and brought in before issues occur will spend less time getting their tune-up done than cars that haven’t been serviced in a long time.
Contact us today with any questions about how often you should get a tune-up on your vehicle or what a tune-up means for your specific model. Our service team will be able to assist and provide more information on this essential service.
Now that you know what getting a tune-up means and how often you should get a tune-up on your vehicle, it’s time to bring your car in for maintenance. No matter which of these signs you have noticed happening to your vehicle, you should be looking to schedule an appointment at our Cedar Park service department. Our team is here to identify issues and talk you through what’s going on under your vehicle’s hood so you can get back out onto the road as soon as possible.
