Depends on mileage, altitude, fuel quality, oil changes.
But sure, never get a tune up ...
Not.
What’s the point(s)?
REV UP YOUR ENGINES!
Well, yes and no. The spark plugs, spark plug wires and distributor cap should be replaced every now and then, especially if there is misfiring, for example, when the weather has been wet outside.
Ah, and the rotor, too. It goes under the distributor cap.
Well, yes and no. The spark plugs, spark plug wires and distributor cap should be replaced every now and then, especially if there is misfiring, for example, when the weather has been wet outside.
Supposedly at 100k miles I was supposed to get new spark plugs and related for the 16 Tacoma.
126k and mileage/performance is normal.
I never rule them out.
I do not have time to watch the video. What defines a tune-up? You do have to replace the spark plugs eventually. And I always considered part of the tune up. Obviously with computerized ignition there are no points or condenser. And the plugs are replaced much less often, but they’re still replaced.
I am at work and can’t go to youtube but I bet the title of the video is
“My last Video ever! The Feds are shutting my business down because I dared to ask this question.......”
Newer cars aren’t built to last that long. Might as well have been built by BIC. Looks like they hired the same designers. Belly button cars. Start pushing 75-80K miles, trade it in for a new one. Let the Used Car dealers tune it up...
I have a 2003 Buick Century 72,500 miles. Yes...I’m the sweet old lady who keeps driving around the block.
Scotty is using a play on words, you see. Hot rodders did the real tuning yesterday mechanically, as they do today with computers (timing, fuel and air adjustments to fit engine modifications). Most others work with the original manufacturer specifications.
Tune-up is just a generic term for periodic car maintenance, so yeah, they still need a tune-up.
Cars don’t need points, timing, dwell, and condensers anymore. “Lube jobs” are generally a thing of the past.
Tune-ups mostly consist of oil changes now. I still do my own, in addition to tire rotations. It keeps me in touch with longer term needs, like brake pads. Then there are accessory drive belts, spark plugs, nowadays stretching to 100k mile intervals. Also keep an eye on transfer case and transmission oil. Manufacturers have actually reduced those service intervals to keep high dollar repairs at bay, and save their reputations.
Ford was especially bad with transmission failures. My son’s Focus recently had a transmission replaced at $2500. He bought it used and the service history was unknown. Another Focus we owned from new made it to 135k miles until it was lost through an accident, and I have an Expedition with 205k miles running strong with regular maintenance.
A tune-up on my car just entails changing the spark plugs which are 50k platinum tipped. OTT - regular oil changes.
Tune-ups on most cars on the road are a thing of the past. Not to be confused with routine maintenance. However, today’s cars are highly tune-able with the right equipment and know how. A lap top has replaced the timing light, engine analyzer and dwell meter. Which reminds me, I have a three on the shelf under 20 years of dust.
I’ve wondered whether the low-viscosity oils being recommended are for the purpose of fuel economy at the expense of engine life.
Its a little bit of a misleading headline. A lot of people ignore their check engine lights these days because they are typically indicating that either a sensor has gone bad or the seal on their gas cap isn’t sealing well. The sensors some time can mess up your fuel economy, and as others have noted plugs that are worn out, fluids that need to be changed, filters that need to be replaced all constitute what most people would consider a tune-up these days.
I went 250000 miles on my lastTundra. No tune ups. Engine ran like new when I traded it in on my new Tundra. I only traded it in because I needed the 4 door. I’ve got 150,000 miles on the new one. Still runs like new.
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.
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.
Plugs around 100,000 miles - that’s about it.