Webster's Dictionary defines a tune up as: a general adjustment to insure operation at peak efficiency.

With today's modern technologies, there is very little to do in the way of adjustments. Most engines use hydraulic lifters so the valves self adjust. Points have been replaced with electronic ignitions. Carburetors have been replaced with fuel injection. Computers that control the fuel and ignition events are found in every car made these days. These computers make hundreds of minute adjustments every second. This makes cars virtually "self tuning".

From the beginning of the automobile until the mid 70's, gasoline contained lead. This lead combined with the low voltage output of a point ignition system would form deposits on the spark plugs. Plugs required changing every 6 to 12,000 miles. Points would wear and would require changing also at 6 to 12,000 miles. Carburetors would go out of adjustment periodically and required frequent adjustments. Valves would wear and require periodic adjustments. For 70+ years a tune up commonly involved replacing the plugs and points, and adjusting the dwell, timing, carburetor, and valves.

Today we don't have lead in our gas, we don't have points that wear out, our valves self adjust (most cars), and carburetors are a thing of the past. Our ignition voltage has gone from 15,000 volts to 50,000 volts or more. There is almost nothing left to adjust and spark plugs wear out instead of foul out.

What is a "tune up" today?

Today our non-platinum plugs last about 30,000 miles. Our platinum plugs last about 100,000 miles. This is where the idea of "it only needs a tune up every 100,000 miles" comes from. We still need to change our air filters at least twice a year because of the large quantity of dust and dirt in the air. Even if you don't drive your car, your air filter will get dirty if it is in the Antelope Valley. Fuel injected engines run high pressure and volume of fuel. Fuel filters get restricted and plugged rather quickly. A restricted or plugged filter will drastically shorten an electric fuel pump's life due to it over working to deliver fuel. A fuel filter should be replaced every 15 to 30,000 miles in most cases.
A modern tune up can be as simple as replacing worn plugs or plugged filters to "scan" checking the sensors that tell the computer how and what to adjust, and replacing the faulty sensors. It could be cleaning dirty fuel injectors or replacing failing ignition or injection components. The truth is that there is no "one size fits all" tune up. A "tune up" should be custom tailored to each automobile based on any symptoms it displays - like loss of power or rough running, or loss of fuel mileage. Other indicators might be illuminated malfunction indicator lamps or difficulty starting. These are only a small amount of things that can indicate the need for a "tune up". It is a good idea to find a service facility that can identify your needs and tailor the "tune up" to your car. At QH Automotive we don't believe in changing parts that are still good or not necessary. We custom tailor all of our "tune ups" to each vehicle. We can perform a wide variety of diagnostic procedures to identify your cars needs.

Call us at (661) 949-8484 to set up an appointment and get your automobile "operating at peak efficiency".