Four Parts to the Total Tune-up

It customary for people in this business to break jobs down to their elemental parts; they cannot, so to speak, see the forest for the trees.

An oil change consists of a an oil filter and, of course, the requisite amount of motor oil. And despite the fact that the tune-up has changed dramatically since the days of points and condensers–I’ll bet there are a few rookies who will have to look up what those are–it is often dealt with one part at a time.

However, those who have had the dubious opportunity to repair cars in a region where there is mandatory emissions testing have learned that a package of services is the best bet for ensuring an improvement in emissions.

It is also, coincidentally, a strong strategy for dealing with lengthening service intervals.

When cars show up less and less often, consider suggesting a package of services that your trade customers should think about offering their customers.

And, if you have a retail component to your business, it should be part of your conversation with a consumer seeking maintenance advice and parts.

Total Tune-Up Package Part 1: Oil Change Service

Any time a vehicle shows up at a service operation, it should be a candidate for an oil change. There are of course, ample opportunities for upgrades, from long-life filters (which may be a necessity for vehicles that specify extended drain intervals) to synthetic lubricants. An oil change can also reduce the hydrocarbon emissions for those cars whose engines are a little frayed around the edges, and may suffer from a quantity of unburned fuel in the crankcase. Of course, it is also true that a car that has failed an emissions test is likely one that has not seen regular service. This puts the oil change at the top of the list by removing one variable in the vehicle’s service history, made all the more advisable by the reasonable cost of this service relative to many other vehicle service occasions. Enhanced options to consider: Premium oil filter Synthetic oil High mileage oil

Total Tune-Up Package Part 2: Filter Service

One of the most often overlooked elements of a tune-up is the air filter. Filtering intake air is critical, as foreign particles can damage components, but according to Car Care Canada, a U. S. study estimates replacing a clogged air filter can also improve fuel economy by as much as 10%. With rising fuel costs, this is becoming increasingly beneficial to the car owner.

While the professional technician would certainly be aware of the importance of good airflow in ensuring an engine operates well, in the midst of tracking down an elusive drivability problem, it could get overlooked. The DIYer, on the other hand, may be completely unaware. What may motivate them to change is the myriad of performance options that improve airflow and, in some cases, offer lifetime service.

The fact remains that good, unrestricted airflow is essential to ensuring proper combustion and, consequently, emissions and fuel mileage.

Enhanced options to consider: Premium air filter Performance air filter Cabin air filter

Total Tune-Up Package Part 3: Ignition Components

Like many components, the lifespan of today’s ignition components has increased dramatically. Nowadays, 160,000 km is not unusual, and on many cars ignition wires are a thing of the past. Coil-on-plug systems eliminate many of the problems suffered by plug wires such as bleeding off voltage and uncertain performance in inclement weather when they deteriorate.

And, of course, platinum spark plugs are a big part of the reason many consumers believe their car may never need a tune-up. It is, of course, not true. What is true is that they can go longer between changing plugs, provided the rest of the fuel and ignition systems are operating properly. If they are not, however, even the best plug technology can reach an early demise.

When a car arrives with a drivability or emissions problem, it is wise to check plugs, as both a diagnostic procedure and to ensure that the reason for the drivability or emissions problem has not caused the spark plugs to deteriorate to the point they require replacement.

Enhanced options to consider: Performance plug wire sets Platinum spark plugs Iridium spark plugs

Total Tune-Up Package Part 4: Emissions Components

The use of emission control technology is the key development of the automotive world. It is complex, intertwined with other systems, and notoriously difficult to diagnose. Yes, trouble codes can help immensely, and their use should be taken as recognition of how difficult these systems would be to repair otherwise. However, as technicians know, those trouble codes only provide a broad indication of trouble spots–despite the proliferation of consumer-priced code scanners, few consumers are any closer to becoming technicians.

Emissions failures can be the result of any one of a dozen or more components not operating up to specification. And, while such components as EGR valves, catalytic converters, idle air controllers, fuel injectors, and various vehicle system sensors like coolant temperature sensors do not have a specified service life, oxygen sensors do (or close to it).

While older oxygen sensors had an expected life of less than 100,000 km (government regulations required a five year/80,000 km life), today most oxygen sensors can be expected to last 160,000 km or more. However, they should be checked and suspected of being the culprit at close to this mileage, and earlier when a vehicle has not had regular service to keep all systems humming. Enhanced options to consider: Emissions component functional test Scanning for trouble codes Four or five gas emission test

The possible fifth key, as it were, is consistent maintenance. Whether it is an avid DIYer you are dealing with or professional technicians, the path to better emissions, fuel mileage, and longevity of the automotive investment is maintenance, not breakdown service.

It saves the car owner money, provides a more orderly service schedule for the shop, and makes for a more pleasant overall automotive experience all round.