How Often Should You Get a Tune-Up? A Schedule for Different Vehicle Types
Regular car maintenance is fundamental to ensuring the safety of drivers and avoiding costly repair services. However, knowing exactly when to take your car for a tune-up can be difficult, as frequency may vary from one vehicle to another. We are sharing valuable details about car maintenance and helping you determine when you should be taking your car for a routine inspection.
What Is Typically Done in a Tune-up?
In most cases, regular vehicle maintenance involves inspecting, repairing or replacing parts of your car that are more subject to wear and tear over time. This typically includes:
- Brake check
- Spark Plugs
- Steering system
- Tires and shock absorbers
- Cooling system
- Belts
- Filters
- Fluid levels
How Often Should Each Type of Vehicle be Checked?
- Sedans
When it comes to regular cars for everyday use, the first thing to take into consideration is the age and condition of your vehicle. Older sedans may need to be inspected at least once a year, or every 15,000 to 30,000 km. Modern sedans, however, often count on more advanced and resistant systems. Depending on the condition of your vehicle, inspections may be scheduled once every two years, or every 50.000 km.
- Trucks
Trucks are generally used for heavier jobs, which typically requires special attention from drivers. Additionally, many trucks are operated in highways at high speeds, which increases the need for regular maintenance to prevent accidents. When constantly used, trucks should be inspected once every 25,000 to 50,000 km.
- Hybrids
Since hybrid vehicles combine the use of combustion engine with an electric motor, some of their parts are subject to less wear and tear than other vehicles. This means that hybrid vehicles can benefit from less frequent tune-up services than combustion cars. In many cases, tune-ups can be done in a frequency of 50,000 to 100,000 km.
It is important to understand that these services are related to more complex maintenance. When it comes to oil change, inspections should be done more frequently considering the type of oil used and the instructions in your owner’s manual.
Taking Spark Plugs into Consideration
Another way of knowing when to schedule routine tune-ups for your vehicle is by identifying the type of spark plug it has. These parts are responsible for the ignition of your engine, and they can be an efficient way of determining the frequency of your routine maintenance. For V-power spark plugs, maintenance is recommended once every 25,000 km. Cars with Platinum spark plugs should be tuned up every 80,000 km, and advanced models, with Laser Platinum spark plugs, can be inspected once every 100,000 km.
The Importance of Regular Vehicle Maintenance
Vehicle maintenance is not just ensuring your car drives well. Regular tune-ups are fundamental for your safety and the safety of your passengers while you are driving. Neglecting to inspect important parts such as brakes and steering systems from time to time can put you and others at risk. Moreover, regular maintenance helps you tackle small problems at an early stage, avoiding costly repair services in the future.
Your Choice for Vehicle Maintenance in Vancouver
Looking for experienced professionals who can help provide you with reliable vehicle maintenance and auto-repair services? Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centres is here for you. Don’t wait for small issues to become bigger problems and let us help you keep your car in optimal condition. Reach out to us!
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