Bumber to Bumper

Ask Randy
Q. It seems like low-priced tune-up ads are everywhere these days – with tons of fine print. Just what is a “tune-up”? What should be done, and when?Tune-ups aren’t what they used to be, so the first thing to consider is the age of the car you drive. For example, a 1972 Chvy Camaro might need to have the spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, points and condenser replaced, along with adjustment of the timing, dwell, idle speed, and air/fuel mixture. That tune-up might have been done 30 years ago for about 50 bucks.

A 2002 Chevrolet, on the other hand, could require little more than a new air filter and connecting the scan tool to observe how the engine is running and to check for any current or history fault codes. Of course a trained and skilled ASE-certified technician who knows how to interpret the results should do this. Many cars today don’t require as frequent or as extensive “tune-up” service as they did in the past, but in our severe climate conditions, it varies. It also costs more nowadays due to the shop’s investment in advanced tools and highly skilled technicians.

Therefore, there’s no simple answer that applies to all models and years. Generally, standard copper-core spark plugs last about 30,000 miles, while platinum plugs can last 60,000 and new high-tech iridium spark plugs might last up to 100,000 miles. The best solution is to have your regular maintenance performed by a trusted repair shop and ask them what your car will need and when. As a rule of thumb, about every 30,000 miles your car will need additional services beyond routine oil change and tire rotation, which are done more frequently.

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