How often do you tune up your car/truck? (vehicle, spark plugs, fuel)

[bjh]

Please to answer some questions about tune-ups, honorable reader.

How often do you tune up your car or pick up truck?

What should be included in a tune up?

About how much should it cost?

If that depends, what does it depend on? Model? Year? You tell me.

Thanks very much for any helpful information!

[bjh]

Please.

[Drilco]

depends on the year of the vehicle. most newer vehicles at 100,000 miles,change plugs. what year is the vehicle.

[Franklyn]

Originally Posted by bjh

......... Model? Year?.......

Engine size? Mileage? Are you original owner? Why are you asking? All these are relevent to answering your question. As Drilco sez, on the newer cars and trucks it depends. So spill the beans if you need some help. It's no longer a "general" question.

[bjh]

Thanks for your responses.

It is a 02 GMC pick up V6 Gas engine with 89k on it. I had it tuned in autumn of 06 when it ran rough. Cooler weather is arriving and it seems to make it run just a bit less smoothly.

Overall it runs and feels like a new truck usually.

I'm not the original owner, bought just over 2 years ago. I am the 2nd owner.

Thanks!

[Greatday]

Most of the new vehicles require tune ups at 100,000 miles

The electronics in the vehicles are often the cause of rough running - I have a Volvo that started running rough - turns out each cylinder has its own ignition coil - one had cracked. Replaced it - ran fine.

Sounds like you should have your truck run through a diagnostic -

[Drilco]

has the check engine light come on , since you have owned the truck?

[bjh]

Yes, Drilco. It was checked. I was told it was a loose gas cap and to replace that which I did. Could it be something more significant? Btw that was about a year ago. The light is not on now.

What should someone not familiar with mechanical things ask a garage to do? Greatday says a diagnostic. Check engine lights and their codes are a type of diagnostic aren't they?

I am, like many not-mechanically-savvy vehicle owners, worried about getting taken by a dishonest shop.

[Franklyn]

Originally Posted by bjh

.......I am, like many not-mechanically-savvy vehicle owners, worried about getting taken by a dishonest shop.

I understand. Because the fastest thing to do is have it diagnosed by a qualified mechanic using the right equipment, here's what I'd recommend to do that.

Pick a medium-sized shop that seems to do automotive electrical and mechanical work [more below] and call them to see if you can bring your pickup in on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning. If they ask, say it has a "drivability" problem. Once you arrive tell them "in the old days I would say it needs a tune-up, but this baby has one of those newer systems so that shouldn't be the issue. What I'm noticing is that with cooler weather coming on it seems to be running a little rougher. Can you check that out and get back to me?"

If they say the estimate to check it out is anything less than $75 tell them if they can fix it for that, too, to go ahead [using the figure they gave you].

Don't volunteer anything else but answer any questions they have about the drivability issue truthfully and fully. Don't talk about your family or friends and don't act like you don't trust them. Just be a little bit of a mystery to them. And don't tell them about this thread. They have not proved to you, yet, that they are your friend. And by the way, you want them to return to you any broken parts they replace.

Now if they accept the job and call you back saying it needs a new "whatsit" that will cost $375 in parts and $200 in labor [or some such] tell them you will call them back and get back to us here right away on the forum, telling us what it is they are saying. Otherwise play it by ear and try them out. If they actually "fix" the problem you are ahead of the game. If they don't, though, take it back to them right away and tell them it isn't fixed. [that can happen] Just keep us informed as you go along.

Now, how to tell if a shop is as described above. It will usually have at least five "mechanics" in work uniforms working around the premises. There will usually be covered room for at least six cars in their "shop". Trees out back don't count. They will usually offer "state inspections" on their menu boards and advertising, and will also perform brake jobs and replace waterpumps and radiators. Just ask about those when you call if there's no advertising or signage to check on.

NOW here's something else. When was the last time the pickup had a lube and oil-change at a shop?. The reason I ask is that most good shops will also check the air cleaner filter when they do an oil change, and what you are describing could be just a very dirty air filter or even a semi-plugged fuel filter. But that may be too simple a fix.

At any rate, good luck.

[JoshB]

I do things at different times.

I.E. air filter every 12K miles

oil change every 3-3500.

Spark plugs about once a year to 16 months

coolant can last quite a while.

Belts and hoses as needed.

Timing belt every 60K

Fuel filter every 50K

Rotate tires every 5K