HOW TO PERFORM A BASIC TUNE UP FOR YOUR CAR

Part 1: Performing a Basic Inspection

Check the oil and top it off if necessary. One of the most simple ways you can extend the life or
your automobile without paying for costly tune-ups is to check your oil level regularly and add
more oil, if it's low. It only takes a minute or two to check the level, and the dipstick included in
your engine block makes the job a snap for even the novice.
Inspect the tires. Nothing's worse than a busted tire at the wrong moment, when you're running
late to work in the rain. No thanks. Regularly inspecting tires and rotating them can help to avoid
this irritation. Check both the air pressure in your tires, and check the tread for wear and replace
the tires if you need to.

Check other fluid levels. Find the windshield washer fluid compartment, transmission fluid,
brake fluid, as well as the anti-freeze compartment to make sure they're both full and clean, and
add more fluid if necessary. This isn't something you'll need to check every week, but doing it
semi-regularly will ensure that your car is in good working order.

Inspect the battery. Inspect your car's battery for corrosion and other signs of wear. The battery
terminals can become caked with fluid from the battery's components, which can gum up the
contact points and cause trouble when you're trying to start it up. If you're noticing the car
doesn't start up as crisply as it used to, inspect these contact points.

Test your brakes. Periodically, when you're driving around and the coast is clear, pump your
brakes hard at a slow speed to get a feel for how they react. Do they initiate right away? Does
the ABS engage at the proper moment? Do you notice any grinding, squeaking, or unevenness in
the action? Any abnormality could be a sign of worn-out brake pads, which is a good indication
that you've got some tune-ups to make.
Check your lights.[13] It's a good idea to regularly perform light checks to make sure all your lights
are functioning properly and that nothing is burned out. Have a helper turn on the turn signals
and pump the brakes while parked to check for burn-outs or misalignments.

Part 2: Performing Routine Tune-Ups

Change the oil every 3,000 miles. To keep your engine functioning to its maximum potential, you
need to drain the old oil completely and fill with fresh oil appropriate to the kind of engine in
your car. You'll also want to change the oil filter, which usually has a life of about 15,000 miles
(24,000 km). While you're doing an oil change, though, is usually a good opportunity to change
the filter, which increases the life of your vehicle.

Rotate your tires and replace them, if necessary. To even out the wear on your tires and get
more life out of them, it's helpful to rotate them periodically, using the correct crossing pattern.
Depending on the kind of treat on your tires, you might need to switch the side, as well as the
positioning. You'll need several jack stands if you want to rotate your tires yourself, or you can
take it in and have them rotated on a hydraulic lift at the shop quickly and affordably.
Replace the windshield wipers, if necessary.[17] If you notice the blade of your wipers coming
loose, cracking, or you notice gaps in the coverage when they're operating, remove the old
windshield wipers and replace them with new ones. At the auto parts store, you can usually
consult the manual in the aisle to find out the size you need for your car, or you can bring in the
old ones for a quick replacement.

Replace the car’s air filter. The air filter unit should be on top of the engine, under a bulky,
rounded cover, usually made of metal or plastic. Removing the air filter and cleaning it thoroughly
(even just gently blowing some compressed air through it and wiping it off) can help extend the
life of your engine considerably. Keep in mind that some air filter materials are very soft and
fragile. A hard blast of compressed air can blow a hole through some air filters and prevent them
from filtering any air at all.

Inspect and change belts if necessary. Sometimes called the "serpentine belt," a long rubber belt
snakes through the alternator, power-steering pump, and other engine components, and a
power-steering belt operates in a similar fashion. The alignment and installation of the belts will
vary widely, depending on your engine, but if you notice a high-pitched squeaking noise when
you start up or when you turn, inspect the belts for wear and replace them. The belt only costs a
few dollars, and a diagram of the installation is generally included in the engine compartment.

Replace the car’s spark plugs. The spark plugs of the car should also be checked and replaced
when needed. These spark plugs are vital in the vehicle’s fuel combustion mechanism so it is
important to maintain these in good working condition. Any failure of the spark plugs might cause
the engine to stall so you should prevent this from happening by regular replacement.