Tuning Up Your Car Yourself

It is highly recommended that your vehicle gets a tune up (which is also known as a major service) every two years, or every 30,000 miles depending on which came first. While this task is something that needs to be done regularly, what does not need to be done is for you to pay someone else to do it. Tuning up your car yourself is something that anyone can do, and here's how.

Materials needed:

• Fuel filter
• Complete screwdriver set
• Oil filter
• Fuel filter
• Air filter
• Transmission oil filter (
• Spark plugs
• Spark plug gapping tool
• Distributer caps
• Car repair manual
• Ratchet & socket set
• Adjustable wrenches

Process:

1. Fuel Filter. Unless you have a fuel-injection system, you are going to have to replace the fuel filter. For those cars that have a fuel-injection system, you do not need to worry about regular fuel system cleaning, that being said it wouldn't be out of line to go ahead and replace the fuel filter.
2. Spark Plugs. One of the things that you really should take care of when tuning your car is to change the spark plugs. This needs to be done every 30,000 miles unless you happen to have the platinum spark plugs. When you are changing these, be sure that you also take a look at the wires and the connectors as well.
3. Belts. While you are rooting around under the hood, take some time to look at the belts. If and when you see any that are worn, damaged simply replace them.
4. Distributor/Ignition. If you have an older car which does not have an electronic ignition system (typically anything prior to 1980) then you should take a look at the ignition timing sequence. This is usually covered in a repair manual for most vehicles. At the same time, take some time to replace the distributor cap and the rotor as well (that is if your car does have them, since some of the new vehicles have what is known as a distributorless ignition system).
5. Air Filter. Typically a vehicle needs to have their air filter every 15,000 miles. One of the best times to take care of this is when you are tuning up your vehicle.
6. Fluids. One of the most necessary things to do when you are tuning your car or truck is to take the time to check the fluid levels. When you are checking the fluids, be sure that you take a look at all of them. This would include oil, brake, transmission and even wiper fluids.
7. Battery. Finally, when you are checking your battery, you are going to be looking at more than just to see if there is one in the car. Look at the battery posts and the connectors to ensure that there is no corrosive buildup, while also looking to make sure that all the connections are tightened properly. After doing that, take a look to make sure that the battery's fluid level is at the proper level and adding distilled water if it is not. The only time that you do not need to worry about checking the battery fluid level is if and when you are using one of the sealed types of batteries, which do not allow you to check that.