Here's the article....
Tune-Ups Are Dead: The
Truth About Today’s Routine Auto
Maintenance Schedules
Automobile
maintenance is nothing like it used to be. In the past, automobiles required regular
replacement of a variety of parts: spark
plugs, ignition wires, PCV valves, distributor caps, ignition rotors,
and more.
With the
exception of spark plugs, technology has replaced most of these with
advanced, integrated ignition systems. Nevertheless, automobile
maintenance is still vital. So what does your vehicle really need in
order to maintain it? Put another way: What am I paying
$300, $400, $500 for anyway?
Let’s put the general
requirements of today’s vehicle maintenance management into
two categories:
- Tune-Ups
- Regular Vehicle Maintenance
IMPORTANT:
always refer to your manufacturer’s guidelines for your individual car
or truck maintenance information.
Tune-Ups,
Car Maintenance and Problems
Let’s
start with tune ups. Tune-ups are a thing of the past. As mentioned
above, most of today’s vehicles are equipped with advanced
technology, which has replaced many wearable parts. While there are still many vehicles on the road with the above
parts, they are fading fast.
Today’s
tune-ups are incorporated into regular vehicle maintenance. In the
past, they were often considered separate auto maintenance.
This is
helpful. If you're wondering when you need a tune-up, just follow your
manufacturer's maintenance interval. More importantly, find a shop that
will actually follow your manufacturer's
maintenance interval.
What
makes up today’s tune-up?
There are
generally only four primary tune-up components, many of which have
extended replacement time intervals (auto extended maintenance).
For
example, some fuel filters last the life of the vehicle, others last
60,000-miles. Today’s platinum spark plugs easily last
100,000-miles.
This
reduces primary tune-up components down to only two:
Air
Filters: Some air filters can last 60,000 miles.
Although most last between 15,000 to 30,000 miles. There are lifetime
performance air filters, but these require maintenance.
Cabin
Filters: Cabin filters filter the
incoming air of dust and debris, helping to keep your interior clean
and dust free. They require replacement starting around 10,000 miles.
Not every vehicle is equipped with cabin filters.
Following
is a break-down of today’s most common tune up parts:
Tune
Ups:
1. Air Filters
2. Fuel Filters
3. Cabin
Filters (also called dust filters, or HVAC filters)
4. Spark Plugs
Now, if we add
tire maintenance—rotation, balance, replacement, and
alignments, that about covers the extent of vehicle maintenance services for
today’s vehicles.
Then there are various maintenance inspections: brakes,
front end, under-carriage, belts, hoses, and battery. Lastly, we
can’t forget wiper blades and miscellaneous lubrication
services.
But generally, that’s
it!
Important
Note on Tire Rotation: many manufacturer guidelines neglect the importance of tire rotations, which
creates confusion. To keep it simple: rotate your tires approximately
every 5,000 miles, as applicable.
Car
Maintenance Online Help & Car Maintenance Schedule
Vehicle Maintenance Management procedures are variable, pending the year, make and model. Again, vehicle maintenance is separated from the Tune-Up section above for
clarity. Tune-ups and maintenance procedures are performed together
during service intervals.
Follow
your factory maintenance interval and you're set!
Below
is a general break-down to five vehicle maintenance services:
General
Vehicle Maintenance:
1.
Oil and Oil Filter Service
2.
Coolant/Antifreeze Flush
3.
Brake System Flush
4.
Transmission Fluid Service
5.
Differential/Gear Box/Transfer Case Services
And
that’s about it!
Now here's a question: If
auto maintenance has been drastically reduced by technological
advancements, why are the prices still so high?
A big clue is provided @ car maintenance costs
The short answer? They can get away with it.
