Definition of 'Tune-up"

[King_berald]

gday guys, i was wondering what a mechanic means when he writes on an invoice, "Tune-up"?

also, i would like to know what else on a car should be checked and maintained other than the basic stuff like oil, plugs, leads, air filter and fuel filter? Noobish i know

[Krisp]

not much can be done tune up wise these days. tune ups is an only term for carby related engines which you could adjust it a screw driver.

[wraith]

Krisp is right. You will probably find now days it only relates to them chucking in some injector cleaner in your fuel tank.

[ryan101]

could always ask them 'what was done in the tune up'

[Darren_L]

when I was in the trade, even with EFI engines 'tune up' involved

replace spark plugs
check spark leads
inspect distributor cap & rotor (where applicable)
check air filter
replace fuel filter as required & carb filter
replace pcv filter (carbed engines)
check ignition timing (where applicable)
check for vacuum leaks
check/adjust idle speed and mixtures (where applicable)
road test

[immortality]

a tune up on a modern EFI engine is really a diagnostic test to ensure all the sensors are working properly

[VYMAD]

when I was in the trade, even with EFI engines 'tune up' involved

replace spark plugs
check spark leads
inspect distributor cap & rotor (where applicable)
check air filter
replace fuel filter as required & carb filter
replace pcv filter (carbed engines)
check ignition timing (where applicable)
check for vacuum leaks
check/adjust idle speed and mixtures (where applicable)
road test

So on modern cars most of the above can be deleted.
I agree, on a modern car: plugs, leads, filters, maybe the injector cleaner, but I doubt it, check fluid levels or change fluids if it's a major service. Other than that, I suppose the term "tune up" is just an old term that could now be simply replaced by the term "service" or similar.

[VS 5.0]

With my mechanic. a service is oil, filter(s), fluid checks, general check over the vehicle on hoist etc.

Tune up is plugs, leads, timing etc.

[Darren_L]

So on modern cars most of the above can be deleted.
I agree, on a modern car: plugs, leads, filters, maybe the injector cleaner, but I doubt it, check fluid levels or change fluids if it's a major service. Other than that, I suppose the term "tune up" is just an old term that could now be simply replaced by the term "service" or similar.

depends what you mean by modern cars.
I worked at a Holden dealer right up until VX Commodores, and when people brought their car in for a 'tune', that's what they got.
No matter whether the car was a VX or a VB, all service schedules usually included periodic change of spark leads, fuel filter etc. But people still brought their cars in for a tune up.

[gem05]

Darren_L thats what I thought was a tune up aswell until I pissed off mumboman when he said that the next time someone says that a tune is the same as a service he will lose it,but to me they are the same because what you are saying is a (tune up) to me is also a service.

[brodster]

Most services are oil,filter,air filter,and plugs if you are not running platenum plugs

[brodster]

Nothink else can be changed as it is ran buy the computer

[EDGE3]

Yes to some people a tune up and a service are the same thing,so you need to sevice the car to tune it, thats what I think,how else are you going to tune it without servicing it,I agree with Darren_L and gem05 and VYMAD

[Darren_L]

Darren_L thats what I thought was a tune up aswell until I pissed off mumboman when he said that the next time someone says that a tune is the same as a service he will lose it,but to me they are the same because what you are saying is a tune up to me is also a service am I right or not?

a service always (in my experience) includes at least an oil change. A tune-up doesn't.
the term 'tune up' is becoming far less common these days because of course engines over time have done away with components that need regular adjustment or 'tuning'. eg points, distributors, carburettors. Before the days of electronic ignition and EFI, often the ignition and fuel system of an engine would need attention between services, hence the tuneup.

put it this way
in say 40,000kms your book service will cover all of the 'tune up' items.
So generally speaking, if you carry out your book services to the letter with an EFI engine or even an engine with electronic ignition, then you probably won't need a tune up. However, if your engine starts running rough, missfiring, using fuel, stalling etc (in particular pre-EFI) then you'd probably take it to your mechanic and ask for a 'tune up' rather than a service. Because a tune up specifically targets the items that you need checked ie ignition & fuel system. Your next scheduled service may only include a oil & filter change.

[gem05]

Its all good mate