Does your car need a tune-up? (Not if it's model year 1980 and later)

youtube ^ | 3/2/2018 | Scotty Kilmer

[Signalman]

Car tune up explained and if your car really needs one or not, myth busted with Scotty Kilmer. Older cars actually needed to be tuned up, but newer cars don't really need it. The way modern car engines are designed removes the need for a tune up

[WinMod70]

I concur for the most part. But there are times I miss the comfort of having almost every part behind the seat or in the trunk I might need to fix the car along the road.

[ExSafecracker]

The timing of this post is all wrong!

[gibsonguy]

Same here, there was always that one spark plug that was impossible to get to.

[wally_bert]

Usually 7 or 8.

[Sergio]

I see what you did there.

[qam1]

But putting more than 100,000 on a car used to be a remarkable feat, and now it’s commonplace.

True, the odometer on older cars used to flip over at 100,000 miles because the car companies assumed few cars would last long enough to make it that far.

[DPMD]

If this article implies a car shouldn’t be subject to routine service, it’s way off. Such inspections cover much more than the engine, most of which are basic safety items like brakes, fluids, leaks, tires, and being proactive on potential problems.

[moovova]

I guarantee you it would cost a heck of a lot more to take your car in for one of those “not a tuneup” sessions rather than the old days when you pulled your car up under a shade tree, lifted the hood, changed out the points, plugs, condenser, set the timing, changed the oil....and maybe changed out the spark plug cables.

The good old days...when you could open the hood, look down thru the engine compartment...and see the ground....maybe even lots of ground if it was a six-banger.

[Osage Orange]

Ah, and the rotor, too. It goes under the distributor cap.

Wait what? The rotor goes under the distributor cap???

I thought the rotor was on the wheels.

I'm so confused.

[SnuffaBolshevik]

Don’t be a retard. ; )

[fireman15]

Oxygen sensors lose their effectiveness over time and though they may not trip a code, that can affect your gas mileage.

Definitely true! When you are behind a newer vehicle and it smells like gasoline... it is probably because of fouled O2 sensors making it run too rich.

[Psalm 73]

Plugs around 100,000 miles - that’s about it.

[Patriot_MP]

I’ve maintenance several of my vehicles because of this guy !!!

[Peter W. Kessler]

You’re kidding, right?

I sold my 2006 Honda Element with 309,000. Got a pretty good price, too.

I sold my 2009 Chevy HHR-SS with 195,000 miles. Had the original clutch, and the valve train looked brand new.

My wife’s 2008 Honda Accord has 120,000 miles and still looks brand new.

My 2010 Honda Accord has 95,000 miles and also looks brand new. Valve train looks like new, as well.

Each one of these cars (the Element was my work vehicle) had an oil / filter change at 5,000 miles; new plugs at 100,000 miles. I run K&N air filters in all our vehicles that get cleaned and re-oiled at about 35,000 miles.

Each car was polished and waxed three times a year, with shine booster used at every wash.

Cars will last damned near forever if they’re taken care of.

And, yes, they all look like eggs.

Except the Element. That looked like a toaster on wheels.

[discostu]

Actually modern cars are designed to last much longer. Back in the day 100,000 miles was the exception, now 200,000 is the expected.

[mabarker1]

My condensed opinion is BULL SH!T

[Hootowl99]

Yep, what you said.... The wear parts of cap, wires and plugs have to be replaced although they do last a lot longer than in the good ‘ol days. But, no more timing light, dwell meter or tinkering with fuel mixture at the carb:

Errrr.. Everyone knows what a timing light and dwell meter are, right? And, for extra points who can give the proper term for TDC! LOL!

A friend of mine had an E-Type Jag that was sure sweet but after going for his weekend cruising and hot ridding had to put in garage time to adjust the triple carbs. Every weekend. >p> In math terms;

(1 Evening Cussing Brit Cars + 3 Carbs) / 1 Jag = 1 Fun Weekend

[aspasia]

Some engines still require valve adjustment.

[mad_as_he$$]

I agree, so I carry a crankshaft position sensor, a cam sensor, a PCM, a coil, temperature sensor, a MAF and a code reader in all my vehicles.

The only sensor that I have ever had fail(that stopped the engine) was a crankshaft position sensor.

[setter]

“Newer cars aren’t built to last that long”

New cars are not broken until they hit 125k miles. My BIL drove a pos Toyota Corolla to his Pentagon job that had over 300k miles and every body panel had at least one dent due to crazy DC drivers.