Subaru Engine Tune Up

With time, your vehicle components get dirty, they wear out, and they break down. Dust, dirt, rust, and other debris build up in your fluids, causing them to move more slowly and to be less effective. Hoses and belts crack. Spark plugs stop working the way they should. Seals come loose.

Even if you are taking good care of your vehicle, these things will happen with the regular use of your vehicle over time. In order to protect your vehicle, it's important that you get a regular tune up to have these and other items inspected and serviced or replaced if necessary. The service center at Granite Subaru provides tune ups for all Subaru models, as well as other vehicle makes and models. Our experienced technicians will perform a thorough inspection to determine the health of your vehicle components and take any necessary action to ensure that your vehicle is in top shape for a long and healthy life. 

What Does a Tune Up Include? 

A tune up used to include a very specific set of services, and it used to be prescribed on a specific schedule. Now, thanks to advancements in automotive technology, what the tune up includes and when it should be performed varies greatly based on the specific vehicle and the driver's habits. 

Generally, a tune up can include the following: 

• Replacing aging or defective spark plugs
• Replacing wires and coil boots
• Adjusting the ignition timing
• Replacing filters as necessary, including the engine air filter, cabin filter, oil filter, and fuel filter
• Replacing the distributor cap and rotor
• Replacing the PCV valve
• Cleaning the fuel system
• Cleaning the throttle body
• Inspecting belts and replacing as necessary
• Inspecting hoses and replacing as necessary
• Checking emission levels and making necessary adjustments

A tune up can also look at external elements, such as the windshield wipers and tires. The goal is to check the overall health and performance of your vehicle and to make any needed adjustments. That means that not all tune ups will be the same. When you bring your vehicle in for a tune up at Granite Subaru, our technicians will conduct a thorough inspection and will perform the services that your vehicle needs. We'll work with you as a partner to understand your vehicle's history and to recommend services that will optimize its performance and ensure its longevity. 

How Often Should You Get a Tune Up?

Unfortunately, there's not a hard answer to this question. Recommendations for getting a tune up range from every 10,000 miles to every 100,000 miles. When you need a tune up depends first on the make and model of your vehicle. You need to check your owner's manual for the manufacturer recommendations on this and all maintenance. 

Then, the frequency of your tune ups is determined by the mileage of your vehicle, how old it is, and your general driving conditions. If you drive your vehicle frequently over rocky and dusty terrain, you are going to need a tune up more frequently. If you only ever drive on pristine city streets but your vehicle is 20 years old, you are going to need a tune up more frequently. 

The best way to determine when it is time for a tune up is to pay close attention to your vehicle's performance and to partner with your mechanic to develop a maintenance schedule. The professionals at Granite Subaru will work with you to determine when your vehicle should be getting a tune up based on its age, your driving habits, and more. 

Signs that Your Vehicle May Need a Tune Up

Your vehicle may tell you that it's time for a tune up, even outside of the schedule you have determined with your mechanic. You need to pay attention to the signs that your vehicle may be giving you.

Some signs that you may need a tune up include: 

• Difficulty starting your car
• Slow acceleration
• Poor fuel efficiency
• Engine misfiring
• Strange noises coming from the engine
• Rough idling
• Stalling out (or feeling like your vehicle is going to stall out)
• Warning lights on your dash

These symptoms can result from one vehicle component breaking down or from several components breaking down. You can't identify the source of the problem from the symptom alone, so it is important that you see a mechanic for a proper diagnosis. A simple tune up might correct the problem, or you might need more serious repairs. 

It is important that you pay attention to these and any other symptoms you notice and take action immediately. Neglecting these issues can lead to much bigger problems for your vehicle. For example, an oil leak can lead to big problems for your engine, which may lead to replacement of engine components. Take action early and protect your vehicle (and your pocketbook).

Benefits of Regular Tune Ups

Many drivers neglect the tune up. They consider it a luxury that doesn't immediately impact the health or performance of their vehicle. But it is a mistake to think this way.

Regular tune ups help to keep your vehicle in top condition, protecting the parts and components so that they have the longest life span possible. The tune up can prevent bigger problems from forming with your vehicle so that you don't end up stranded and paying thousands of dollars in repairs. 

Tune ups also help to find issues that your vehicle's internal diagnostics may not flag. You may be driving around thinking that everything is ok under the hood when it is not. An experienced mechanic performing a tune up can find any lingering issues to ensure that your vehicle will deliver safe and reliable performance.

Schedule Your Tune Up with Granite Subaru

The experienced service technicians at Granite Subaru offer routine tune ups and comprehensive auto service for your Subaru or other vehicle. Call us today to schedule a tune up or an inspection of a problem you are experiencing. Our technicians will diagnose and service your vehicle to ensure that it is in top condition for long-lasting and reliable performance.