Posts Tagged ‘Car Maintenance’

Do Cars Still Need Tune Ups?

Monday, February 21st, 2011

You may have heard people questioning whether or not cars and trucks still need tune ups.

Over the past decade there have been lots of technological advances in automobiles. Despite all the changes and upgrades, most car and truck engines are somewhat similar to those that your parents and grandparents drove back in the day.

Depending on your car or truck, you should still take it in for a tune-up every year or every 30,000 to 60,000 miles.

Tune ups have change over the years. For example, the cars of today no longer need its points and condenser regularly changed.

Today’s tune ups include some car care necessities that every car owner should do if they want their car to run smoothly. These include:

  • Replacing Filters: During a tune up, a mechanic will replace most of the filters in your vehicle. This will help to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly. Filters help to catch any dirt or debris that can harm your car or truck’s engine.
  • Check and Fill Fluids: It’s very important to have your vehicle’s fluids checked and refilled if necessary. Fluids are the lifeblood of any vehicle and must be refilled and sometimes replaced to prolong the life of your vehicle.
  • Chang Spark Plugs: Depending on the type of spark plugs in your car or truck, they may have to be replaced during a tune up. Old spark plugs waste gas and hurt the performance of your vehicle.
  • Check Battery: During a tune up, mechanics also check your car or truck’s battery. It’s important to have your battery regularly checked, so you’re not stranded in a parking lot with a dead battery. It’s especially important to have your battery check in areas with warmer climates because batteries wear out faster.
  • Check And Replace Belts: During a tune up, a mechanic will also check the condition of the belts in your car or truck. It’s important to replace worn belts to ensure your car or truck’s engine operates smoothly.

Before getting a tune up be sure to check your car or truck’s owner’s manual to see when it recommends routine maintenance on these parts. You could also talk to a certified mechanic before your next El Paso car tune up or your next Las Cruces car tune up.

Tune Up Check List

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Planning to do a Las Cruces car tune up by yourself? It’s something you have to do every two years or 30,000 miles if you want your car to last. Here’s what you need to do when it’s time for your next tune up.

• Check your vehicle’s service manual for recommended repairs
• Install a new fuel filter and a new air filter
• Replace the spark plugs
• Change the distributor cap and rotor
• Adjust valves
• Replace old or damaged timing belts
• Replenish fluids
• Adjust clutch (manual transmission only)
• Clean battery
• Spot check engine for any signs of trouble

If you don’t feel comfortable doing your own Santa Fe car tune up, find a professional auto mechanic to help.

Extend the Life of Your Vehicle

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Some simple ways you can add years onto the life of your vehicle.


Purchasing a car is a significant investment for most people. To help your vehicle retain value and continue to operate well, you must remember to properly maintain your car with a regular Las Cruces car tune up. Here are a few tips to help keep your car running both safe and smooth for a long time to come.

Stay On Top of Your Maintenance Schedule

Reading your owner’s manual may not be exciting, but it might save you a lot of money in the long run. Read through your owner’s manual and develop a calendar of when particular services need to be performed on your vehicle. This includes a Phoenix oil change, tire rotation and replacement, checking your brakes, fluids, filters, etc. By staying on top of maintenance you will hopefully avoid major problems in the long run. You will be glad you spent a little time developing a schedule in the long run.

Find a Trustworthy, Reliable Mechanic

If you are not knowledgeable when it comes to car maintenance, make sure you go to a repair shop you trust. You will want to ask family, friends and check online reviews to determine which place is best for you. Some companies specialize in working on particular types cars and therefore are familiar with the upkeep and typical issues that arise with that vehicle. If you can find one of these, check their references and consider working with them.  Above all, make sure you work with someone whom you trust to offer you fair prices and honest, reliable work.

Check Out Anything Unusual Right Away

If your car is not driving correctly or if you hear it making a funny sound, get to your mechanic as soon as possible. If you wait, the problem may get worse and end up costing a lot more money to fix and it may not be safe to drive.

Remember that you made an investment in your vehicle and in order to retain the value of your car, you need to maintain it properly.

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About Us

Brake Buddy's Auto Repair Blog is your resource center for the straight scoop about car repairs. We cover tips and best practices for auto repair do-it-yourselfers and those interested in getting the most out of their vehicles. Brake Buddy's Auto Repair Blog is owned and operated by Brake Masters, an auto repair center with 55 locations in Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada and New Mexico. Interested parties are invited to contribute to this blog. Send your contributions to BuddyBlog at BrakeMasters dot com.

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