If you do not get a tune up will it hurt your car?

Answer 1

The truth of the matter is that today's cars cannot really be "tuned up." A "tune-up" used to refer to changing the spark plugs, the points and the condenser in old, mechanical distributors, and adjusting the carburetor's idle speed and air-fuel mixture. None of these are relevant today. Spark plugs from the factory last a very long time, computer-controlled electronic ignition systems have replaced mechanical distributors, and computer-controlled electronic fuel injection systems have replaced carburetors. Since 1996, the car's computer also monitors the engine's smog & emission levels. The best idea for a car owner today is just follow the factory maintenance schedule. This information is in the car's owner's manual. If you purchase a used car without an owner's manual, I suggest purchasing one on e-bay (much cheaper than going to a dealer.) Most of the factory-recommended maintenance is INSPECTION, NOT REPLACEMENT. Too often, dealers push customers to replace factory parts unnecessarily. IMHO, there are two routes to go in car-buying. One is to purchase a new or CPO (certified pre-owned) with an outstanding factory warranty, like a BMW ($0 in maintenance for first 4 yr/50k miles, CPO warranty is 6yr/100k). The other way is to purchase a car known for its reliability, like a Honda. The factory warranty is only 3yr/36k, but the cars will run forever if properly maintained. Do your research to find the car you want, and an independent technician (mechanic) that has an excellent reputation. Stay clear of the dealers ($$$) and the chain-shops (poorly trained, underpaid technicians.) I found an independent Honda-only shop in Dallas many years ago. The owner worked for one the USA's largest Honda dealers for 23 years, then opened up his own shop. Now, all my family and friends go to him - excellent work at a fair price. There are independent technicians like this all across America. A little bit of research and legwork before you purchase a vehicle can save you thousands.