The best way to get the most out of your vehicle is to give it regular tune-ups, but what does a tune up consist of? It helps you maintain the car’s original performance, and it lets you find issues before they escalate into far more expensive problems. The best auto parts store provides some guidelines on how you should proceed with your next vehicle tune-up. Here are the basics you should bear in mind the next time your car needs some tender loving care.

Replace Common Wear-and-Tear Components

Ideally, you should get a tune-up once annually at the very least. There are several parts in your vehicle that should be replaced this often, such as the air filter. If you allow a dirty air filter to remain in your vehicle, then it will significantly impact the engine’s performance. The engine will not receive as much air as it should. It could lead to premature failure if you are not careful. Other items you may need to replace frequently include the spark plug wires, PCV valve, oxygen sensor and fuel filter.

Clean Anything Too Dirty 

Your car may also backfire due to a failure to adequately clean certain components often enough. For example, you should clean the spark plugs during every tune-up. The spark plugs serve as the main life source of the engine, and they are one of the hardest working components inside your car. You need to ensure they continue to function optimally. One set of spark plugs will generally last between 20,000 and 30,000 miles, so you need to clean with that frequency. Other components to clean often are the rotor and distributor cap.

Check the Systems

A basic car tune-up may not involve a test of your vehicle’s systems, but you should always make sure to ask about it. In the event you receive a tune-up in the spring or summer, then it would be a good idea to test the air conditioning system. It will soon get hot out, and you want to make sure you will be cool and comfortable while driving. You should check your owner’s manual to see if there is any advice as to how often you should inspect these systems.

Take Care of Anything Else

You may need an oil change more than once a year. You may only need an oil change once every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. It can be immensely helpful if you can coordinate your tune-up in tandem with an oil change, too. That way you do not have to make several trips to the same auto shop in a short span of time. Read your owner’s manual to see how often you need to do this so that you can ensure an optimal performance out of your car.

Once you get in the habit of taking your car to a professional for a tune-up, it will become easy to keep track of. Getting a tune-up should be a comforting thought rather than an intimidating one. You can find a reputable auto shop near you to help keep your car running smoothly. With annual tune-ups, you can always be confident behind the wheel.