What's a "tune-up" these days?

[ExtraSlow]

I'm a moderately mechanical guy, but this baffles me. I often hear people say that they got a "tune-up" done on thier car, and I can't figure out what that means these days.

I can understand back in the 60s when you'd need to adjust the carburetor and maybe even the points. But today, what's adjustable?

Somewhat related question, but on a vehicle out of warranty, what periodic maintenance would you do "just because" if the vehicle wasn't showing any symptoms or issues?

Aside from fluids, what is there? Spark plugs? Ignition wires? I was thinking my truck could use some love before the summer towing season, but is any of that worthwhile?

[Misterman]

I'm a moderately mechanical guy, but this baffles me. I often hear people say that they got a "tune-up" done on thier car, and I can't figure out what that means these days.

I can understand back in the 60s when you'd need to adjust the carburetor and maybe even the points. But today, what's adjustable?

Somewhat related question, but on a vehicle out of warranty, what periodic maintenance would you do "just because" if the vehicle wasn't showing any symptoms or issues?

Aside from fluids, what is there? Spark plugs? Ignition wires? I was thinking my truck could use some love before the summer towing season, but is any of that worthwhile?

Spark plugs
Coils(wires if your vehicle still has them), BMW's are especially bad for coils degrading. Will give misfire codes and rough running, but coils will still check out fine. Swap the coils and suddenly it runs like a dream again.
Dated O2 sensors can hurt fuel mileage, so doesn't hurt to preemptively replace the front ones
Air filter
Coolant and brake fluid are 2 things that get overlooked and end up being lifetime items in a lot of cars. It's nice to change those out every 2 years.
Direct injection vehicles can suffer from carbon buildup in the intake manifold/head. Walnut blasting is good maintenance to clean that out and keep it running smooth.
Lubricating door hinges and sunroof slides will keep them squeak free and operating smooth.

[msommers]

I suppose grease/lube joints, clean your calipers...Probably change engine air and cabin filters...

Fluids are the only other thing that come to mind. Maybe when people say they got a "tune-up", they're just referring to scheduled maintenance?

[revelations]

Yea spark plugs and air filter on the most modern cars with coil packs (no ignition wires as such anymore). As mentioned above, tune up means the entire vehicle now.

[ExtraSlow]

What about replacing belts?

Replacing coolant and brake fluid every two years seems excessive, but I can see the value every 5 or so.

[90_Shelby]

Every owners manual has a section with mileage and what needs to be checked, changed, flushed or inspected. (belts, brake fluid, coolant, oil, filters etc.) Follow the manufacturers recommendations and this should be all that is required for regular or scheduled maintenance. Anything beyond this for regular maintenance is typically unnecessary regardless of what the dealer, mechanic or lube place tries to tell you.

Back to the original inquiry, any of the scheduled maintenance required could be considered a "tune up" even though there is no actual tuning occurring anymore. (Outside of the aftermarket)

[revelations]

Every owners manual has a section with mileage and what needs to be checked, changed, flushed or inspected. (belts, brake fluid, coolant, oil, filters etc.) Follow the manufacturers recommendations and this should be all that is required for regular or scheduled maintenance. Anything beyond this for regular maintenance is typically unnecessary regardless of what the dealer, mechanic or lube place tries to tell you.



This is a small example, but for eg. the older (2000s) MBs used to have 'lifetime' sealed transmissions that never required servicing, according to the OEM anyway ..... you can imagine how well that worked out in real life ... and dealers were starting to recommend tranny fluid changes every 100,000km (or was it miles?).

But yes, generally the OEM rules are the ones to follow.

[Misterman]

This is a small example, but for eg. the older (2000s) MBs used to have 'lifetime' sealed transmissions that never required servicing, according to the OEM anyway ..... you can imagine how well that worked out in real life ... and dealers were starting to recommend tranny fluid changes every 100,000km (or was it miles?).

But yes, generally the OEM rules are the ones to follow.

Personally I don't like the way these German manufacturers are stretching oil changes to 20,000km or once a year. If I'm stretching oil that long, I'd be doing oil analysis at 10,000km to see how it's holding up. People will say "The maker knows best and they have to honor the warranty if you follow their service schedule". But they don't make any money on your car lasting past warranty, and I am more than positive they engineer vehicles nowadays specifically to last warranty length and not much longer. One thing you'll never hear from anybody that drove a vehicle over a million miles, is that they stretched out oil change intervals.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

A like to give my stuff a nice Italian tuneup every once in a while.

But an oil change, plugs, filters, regular fluid changes are mostly what I consider a tune up.

[ExtraSlow]

A like to give my stuff a nice Italian tuneup every once in a while.
All my vehicles get those regularly.

[Tik-Tok]

Personally I don't like the way these German manufacturers are stretching oil changes to 20,000km or once a year.

Thats because the oil capacity is huge compared to the size of the engine. A 2 litre motor has 5 to 6 litres of oil. My 460 holds the same amount.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Thats because the oil capacity is huge compared to the size of the engine. A 2 litre motor has 5 to 6 litres of oil. My 460 holds the same amount.

Both my vehicles take ~9L of oil. Oil changes are a rough time expense wise.

[ExtraSlow]

My odyssey is basically one oil change a year on the Honda full synthetic 0w20. We go by the IOLM, but I think the reccomended mileage interval is 10,000 km.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[Misterman]

I couldn't even make it through the fluff-list last time I looked

I called Audi for service because I couldn't find my OBD11 to turn off the stupid maintenance minder... the only thing i got out of it was they were going to do an oil change and swap out my cabin filter for 950$

Worst part was I didn't have time to screw around and I was willing to just do it, so I asked them "when do you have an opening and what kind of loaner car do you have"

Audi: In about 6 weeks, and we don't do loaner cars

:facepalm:

Jiffy Lube it is...

Wow, that's pathetic. Our Lexus we would get loaner vehicle every single time for just basic service. And services weren't even that expensive. The Benz I bought the prepaid service package. It seemed like a good value.

[ExtraSlow]

Misterman
Dated O2 sensors can hurt fuel mileage, so doesn't hurt to preemptively replace the front ones. Just the front? Why not front and rear, or are the fronts just more susceptible to wear/degradation?

[Mitsu3000gt]

The Ford dealer on 9th ave is advertising 20% off Tune Ups, I can only imagine how many other "problems" they find after they have your car.

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I couldn't even make it through the fluff-list last time I looked

I called Audi for service because I couldn't find my OBD11 to turn off the stupid maintenance minder... the only thing i got out of it was they were going to do an oil change and swap out my cabin filter for 950$

Worst part was I didn't have time to screw around and I was willing to just do it, so I asked them "when do you have an opening and what kind of loaner car do you have"

Audi: In about 6 weeks, and we don't do loaner cars

:facepalm:

Jiffy Lube it is...

What Audi dealer?

My dad goes to Glenmore and gets a loner car every single time he takes his car in for service, and he was just there last week for a recall, he had his pick between a S5 and SQ5. He's got loners from them at least a half dozen times now, all "S" cars too.

[revelations]

The Ford dealer on 9th ave is advertising 20% off Tune Ups, I can only imagine how many other "problems" they find after they have your car.

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What Audi dealer?

My dad goes to Glenmore and gets a loner car every single time he takes his car in for service, and he was just there last week for a recall, he had his pick between a S5 and SQ5. He's got loners from them at least a half dozen times now, all "S" cars too.

Nah, just buy a 'pre packaged' service deal and youll be ok! LOL

[sabad66]

The Ford dealer on 9th ave is advertising 20% off Tune Ups, I can only imagine how many other "problems" they find after they have your car.

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What Audi dealer?

My dad goes to Glenmore and gets a loner car every single time he takes his car in for service, and he was just there last week for a recall, he had his pick between a S5 and SQ5. He's got loners from them at least a half dozen times now, all "S" cars too.

i think he's in Van.

Both Glenmore and Royal Oak do loaners here, but sometimes you have to book further out at Royal Oak if you want a loaner. Glenmore and also their satellite service location are a lot easier to get an appt including a loaner from my experience

[nzwasp]

When I used to take either my highlander or kia to a dealership for their service I used to get a line item on the statement saying "tighten propeller shaft" which i presume refers to something on a 4wd but I remember seeing it on my FWD service statement too, what is this and since its never found on a quick lube service should I be getting it done?

I also dont understand the wide variety of pricing on a dealership service versus a mr lube service for pretty much the same services. I guess quality is probably better at a dealership but for example at toyota near mcleod you can drop off at 7am and their pick up time is 5pm WTF man im just getting an oil change.

[ExtraSlow]

When I used to take either my highlander or kia to a dealership for their service I used to get a line item on the statement saying "tighten propeller shaft" which i presume refers to something on a 4wd but I remember seeing it on my FWD service statement too, what is this and since its never found on a quick lube service should I be getting it done?

I also dont understand the wide variety of pricing on a dealership service versus a mr lube service for pretty much the same services. I guess quality is probably better at a dealership but for example at toyota near mcleod you can drop off at 7am and their pick up time is 5pm WTF man im just getting an oil change.

Honda West used to want a full day to do oil changes on the Odyssey too. T&T Honda is much better.

[Mitsu3000gt]

i think he's in Van.

Both Glenmore and Royal Oak do loaners here, but sometimes you have to book further out at Royal Oak if you want a loaner. Glenmore and also their satellite service location are a lot easier to get an appt including a loaner from my experience

Ah, ok I didn't realize he was in Vancouver. Probably a way higher percentage of Audi owners there too, maybe they can't keep up with loaners haha.

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Honda West used to want a full day to do oil changes on the Odyssey too. T&T Honda is much better.

I used to go to Honda West because I bought my first Civic there. They literally refused to give me an end time for the oil change, and sometimes it took them 4+ hours. They said they didn't book time slots for oil changes at all (this may be different now as I imagine tons of people complained). This happened twice in a row before I stopped using their dealership entirely. They also put non-synthetic in my car once and I had to wait another 2hr for them to re-do it properly.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[bjstare]

Ah, ok I didn't realize he was in Vancouver. Probably a way higher percentage of Audi owners there too, maybe they can't keep up with loaners haha.

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I used to go to Honda West because I bought my first Civic there. They literally refused to give me an end time for the oil change, and sometimes it took them 4+ hours. They said they didn't book time slots for oil changes at all (this may be different now as I imagine tons of people complained). This happened twice in a row before I stopped using their dealership entirely. They also put non-synthetic in my car once and I had to wait another 2hr for them to re-do it properly.

Honda West hasn't gotten better. I used them for the first/last time last summer for my wifes rdx and they are exactly the same. I booked an appointment for an oil change, and upon arrival they said it wouldn't go in for at least an hr, and not sure how long it would be. After pointedly asking "what's the point of booking an appointment if you can't start on time, and you won't give an ETA?" and getting a dumbfounded look in return, and them having my car for 4 hours, I decided I'm never going to them again. I'm much happier driving across the city to see Jackie.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Honda West hasn't gotten better. I used them for the first/last time last summer for my wifes rdx and they are exactly the same. I booked an appointment for an oil change, and upon arrival they said it wouldn't go in for at least an hr, and not sure how long it would be. After pointedly asking "what's the point of booking an appointment if you can't start on time, and you won't give an ETA?" and getting a dumbfounded look in return, and them having my car for 4 hours, I decided I'm never going to them again. I'm much happier driving across the city to see Jackie.

That's kind of funny, I thought they would have for sure changed that BS policy by now but I guess not. I don't know of any other dealership that just tells people to GFY after asking what time they should come back to pick up their vehicle, especially when service/work is a huge portion of a dealerships income. I remember them giving me a time to show up, but then not being able to tell me when it might be done. Unbelievable. I'm glad I left that place too. I also remember I would always ask them NOT to wash my car and they would anyway.

We used them for a test drive when we were looking for a Fit a few years ago, and the sales experience was just as bad (did not buy from them obviously). Started off with a ridiculous spiel about how they aren't on commission (they are very clearly on commission), and they went on and on about how they didn't care if we bought from them or not due to that fact. Went on a test drive with the biggest d-bag of a salesperson I have ever encountered, sitting spread-eagle in the middle of the rear seat texting the entire time and did not know a single answer to any question we asked. Told my GF to floor it in the dealership parking lot to "feel the power", we said no thanks as it was not at all a safe place to be doing anything like that. Out of courtesy we let them show us pricing, also I kind of wanted to see how bad it was, and their laughable "no haggle" price ended up being *by far* the worst price in the city & surrounding area, complete with a non-negotiable $499 admin fee. They said our trade-in was worthless as well, and to just donate it - we sold it the same day we listed it on the private market the following weekend. IMO it is a joke of a dealership, both service and sales were some of the worst experiences I've had.

[Misterman]

Misterman Just the front? Why not front and rear, or are the fronts just more susceptible to wear/degradation?

Because the fronts are for managing fuel. Rears are for monitoring whether your cats work or not.

[ExtraSlow]

Because the fronts are for managing fuel. Rears are for monitoring whether your cats work or not.

So of the rears give bad readings, what happens? It throws a code but the engine runs fine?

[Misterman]

So of the rears give bad readings, what happens? It throws a code but the engine runs fine?

Yes you'll get an emissions code. A lot of cars the ECU will just disable them if they're in fresh air.

[ExtraSlow]

Well, I guess we talked generalities for long enough, how about specifics. For my 2010 Chev 2500 Silverado with the 6.0 Gas engine, I'm thinking AC and Serpentine belt, upstream O2 sensors, spark plugs, and wires (which it does have), but am thinking I'll skip the coils because of how expensive they are. Cheapest Iv'e found is $42 each, and there are eight, so after shipping I'm at nearly $400 just for those.
Been squirting some grease into the zerks I can find, which is 6 up front so far. There's supposed to be 11 on the truck somewhere.

Comments or suggestions?

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Well, I guess we talked generalities for long enough, how about specifics. For my 2010 Chev 2500 Silverado with the 6.0 Gas engine, I'm thinking AC and Serpentine belt, upstream O2 sensors, spark plugs, and wires (which it does have), but am thinking I'll skip the coils because of how expensive they are. Cheapest Iv'e found is $42 each, and there are eight, so after shipping I'm at nearly $400 just for those.
Been squirting some grease into the zerks I can find, which is 6 up front so far. There's supposed to be 11 on the truck somewhere.

Comments or suggestions?

Since it’s a GM make sure you clean out the rear quarters, and rockers really good so they don’t rust.

[ExtraSlow]

I suppose I wasn't too early changing out the spark plugs on my tow rig:
86547

[Ca_Silvia13]

Lots of spots on the RH side plugs. Are you a cheap gas or fuel additive guy?

[ExtraSlow]

Lots of spots on the RH side plugs. Are you a cheap gas or fuel additive guy?

Cheap gas. Keep in mind I have no idea how long these have been in there. Probably too long.

[ExtraSlow]

Tune-up may be useless money-grab by unscrupulous mechanics - cbc news: https://driving.ca/column/troubleshooter/troubleshooter-you-dont-actually-need-a-tune-up

[revelations]

Tune-up may be useless money-grab by unscrupulous mechanics - cbc news: https://driving.ca/column/troubleshooter/troubleshooter-you-dont-actually-need-a-tune-up

Well, my headlight fluid was a little low this week.

[Disoblige]

I always thought people who meant tune-up, just really meant to take the car into the shop to get checked to ensure it is up with its routine maintenance and fix whatever is necessary based on inspection of qualified/honest mechanic.