Do You Already Know What a Car Tune-Up Is? Here’s the Explanation
Most car owners are certainly familiar with the term tune up. Although it is not much different from servicing, the execution of these two activities is very different from one another. A tune up is performed to enhance the performance of your beloved vehicle.
The origin of the term "tune up" can be traced from the combination of the words "tune" and "up," which means to make adjustments or restore performance. Overall, a tune up refers to the process of recalibrating and cleaning all components and systems in a car engine to restore or even enhance its performance. If there are components that are not optimal, inspections and replacements are made as needed.
To gain a deeper understanding of car tune ups, we provide information about the definition of car tune ups, their costs, and how to perform them.
Definition of Car Tune Up
A car tune up is a routine maintenance procedure designed to ensure optimal performance and efficiency of the engine. The stages of a tune up involve inspecting and adjusting components such as spark plugs, air filters, fuel filters, and ignition systems to ensure optimal and efficient performance of the car.
Additionally, a tune up may involve the replacement of worn or damaged parts, such as spark plugs, spark plug wires, rotors, or ignition capacitors.
By performing regular tune ups, a car can remain in prime condition, reducing the risk of more serious engine damage in the future.
A tune up is performed with the aim of maintaining and maximizing the car's performance. It can be said that a tune up is maintenance on all internal engine conditions of the vehicle, including the condition of the combustion system.
Cost of Car Tune Up
The cost charged to you for a tune up at a general workshop usually ranges around Rp. 350,000. However, this price only applies to standard tune ups. If your car requires special maintenance, the cost may be higher.
It is important to note that the process of performing a tune up and the methods used have their own standards and SOPs at official service centers. Therefore, the costs charged are much higher than at general workshops. In addition, the way a car tune up is performed at official service centers is done by experts who are accustomed to handling similar cars.
How to Tune Up Fuel Injection Cars
In the process, a tune up will go through several stages. The first step is to check the battery. This is necessary to inspect the support, terminal connections, and battery water level. After checking the battery condition, the next step is to check the air filter in the car's engine.
To check the air filter, you need to open it first and then clean it by blowing compressed air from the inside.
Next is to check the fan belt for wear, cracks, or tension. To check its flexibility, you can apply a pressure of 10 kilograms in the middle of the pump.
If the fan belt condition is safe, the next step is to check the spark plugs inside the engine. Inspect the center electrode on each spark plug to avoid erosion, breakage, or porcelain damage on the spark plugs.
Finally, check the high voltage wires by disconnecting them from the distributor cap while removing the spark plug wires.
Manual Car Tune Up
It is important to know that a fuel injection car tune up is different from a manual car tune up. Usually, before performing a tune up, there is an inspection of several components such as radiator water, engine oil, and visual condition of the engine.
Once the inspection process is complete, the tune up will be performed sequentially and according to the established procedures.
The first step is to clean the air filter located inside the car. Remove the air filter, then clean the components inside the filter using compressed air.
Next, check the cooling system condition by checking the coolant level to see if it has reached the full line or not.
The next part that needs a tune up is the radiator cap using a radiator cup tester. After this part is checked, the last step is to check the fan belt, battery, distributor, and compression pressure.
Read Also: The Dangers of Delaying Oil Changes
Time Required for Tune Up
As a mandatory activity, a tune up is one of the routine maintenance activities for every four-wheeled vehicle. In essence, performing a tune up cannot be done at just any time.
The most appropriate time to perform a tune up is when your beloved vehicle has reached the mileage limit for servicing or at least once a year.
Considering the number of checks that need to be done, the estimated time required for a tune up is approximately one hour. This one-hour process includes engine tune up, fuel, and various other stages.
That is the complete information regarding what a car tune up is, its costs, and how to perform it. In general, a car tune up is a routine maintenance process aimed at improving engine performance that involves inspecting and adjusting components such as spark plugs, air filters, and ignition systems.
A tune up keeps the car in optimal condition. Although costs vary between general workshops and official services, performing regular tune ups helps prevent serious damage. The right time is when reaching the service mileage limit or once a year. With a limited investment of cost and time, a tune up ensures the car remains reliable and efficient.
