Tuning a Guitar and a Car

What Musicians and Cars Have in Common

Everyone knows that musicians who play the guitar like to keep it in tune. It’s important to them because it impacts the quality of the sound and, therefore, the beauty of the music that can be produced from that guitar. Similarly, tuning up a car keeps it at its best, and car enthusiasts take great pride in the rumbling of a well-tuned machine. But even if you’re not into using your vehicle’s motor to make a mechanical melody, you’ll benefit from having your truck or car tuned up as needed. A tune-up addresses routine maintenance needs that can keep your vehicle running better, longer. For assistance with a tune-up or other service and repair needs, visit Jeff’s Auto Repair in the Windermere area of Seattle, Washington.

A Typical Tune-Up

While a tune-up can mean anything from a simple oil change to a fairly complex maintenance visit, most auto service shops address the ignition system, belts and hoses, filters, and fluids in a standard tune-up. When checking the ignition system, technicians will replace the spark plugs because the electrode wears down over time, potentially causing misfires. Worn ignition coils can also cause misfires, poor gas mileage, etc. Old ignition wires can fail, making the car run poorly, and a failing distributor cap can even prevent the vehicle from starting. Your mechanic will also check/replace belts and hoses. Over time and with use, these components weaken. Worn belts with cracks or frays can break at any time, and old hoses in poor condition are more likely to develop leaks. Your car’s filters, of course, need changing because they become dirty and clogged. This is their job–to catch the particles and debris you don’t want circulating through your vehicle’s systems–but they have to be replaced periodically. Otherwise, filters are ineffective and not really filtering anything. Finally, all fluids need checking and changing or topping off, depending upon which fluid. These include oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. Any one of these things can cause more serious problems and expensive repairs if ignored, yet they will help keep your car running well for a long time to come if kept in check.

When and Where

When you need a tune-up depends upon the age of your vehicle and whether you are noticing any problems. If your ride is older (predating electronic ignition), you will likely need a tune-up every 10,000-12,000 miles or once a year. If you drive a newer car, however, you will not need a tune-up as often. Consult your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation (which is likely somewhere between 65,000 and 100,000 miles). And where should you go for your car’s tune-up? To Jeff’s Auto Repair in the Windermere area of Seattle, Washington, where our ASE certified technicians are ready to perform a tune-up on any make or model passenger vehicle.