Engine temperature was a cool 180°F. Always refer to your owner’s manual when you’re not 100% sure what the light indicates. Tuning a car usually means to increase power output, handling and speed. If you need some help on replacing yours, check out our guide on how to change spark plugs. Starting trouble? The belt tensioner maintains the correct belt tension. Hoses transfer vital fluids throughout the engine. If you need help changing the belt out, check our. In many cases, it can be swapped out in a matter of a few minutes. Spark plugs have a metal tip (electrode) that wears down over time from high heat and constant electrical arc. A custom tuning utilizes software product for making modifications accordingly. No one likes being cold, especially your car. Numerous rotations of the rotor inside the distributor will cause the metal contact point to wear down. Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid are necessary for your vehicle to operate properly. That's why we rounded up 7 ways to tell if your battery is dead. Typically, when to do a tune-up is included in the regular maintenance section of owner’s manuals. It’s a good idea to check the car’s filters, belts, hoses, and fluids. Transfer ignition wires one at a time from the old cap to the new cap. This prevents the ignition system from becoming cross wired, which result in a rough running engine. Tuning definition at Dictionary.com, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. Tuning can mean a lot of different things in the world of cars. Filters keep contaminating particles from reaching vital components in your engine and related systems. The term “tune-up” has drastically changed since the phrase was coined during the dawn of automobiles. Keeping in mind that most road-going cars are built to be as economic and reliable as possible, performing any of these following upgrades can subsequently change how the car behaves and feels. It is suitable for a daily use car.It can be used in isolation with standard components. Be sure that your power steering fluid does not appear muddy and is between the MAX and MIN levels in the reservoir. Many warning lights indicate that […] Always disconnect the negative battery cable before servicing an electrical application on the vehicle to protect its electrical circuits in the event that a wire is accidentally pierced or grounded. Tuning companies will often have an in house menu and refer to a basic stage 1, a more agressive stage 2 … Notes: Do not wear ties or loose clothing when working on your vehicle. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for recommended change intervals as well as the correct fluid type to be used. This means that a true stage 1 modification part does not require any other engine modifications to get it to work. You can consider a stage 1 modification to be referred to as a fast road mod. You can make this job easier by using a spark plug boot tool. In fact, fixing a car that is badly out of tune can give a noticeable boost to both engine performance and fuel economy*. This prevents the ignition system from becoming cross wired, which result in a rough running engine. If you want to learn how to do some of the repairs listed below, consult one of our How-To articles. Should be replaced with every oil change at recommended intervals. Over time the Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve can become clogged by carbon build up. Today, the vehicle’s engine computer and engine components constantly keep these systems running right where they should. Many may not need to be replaced, but it will give you a chance to stop small issues that could develop into big problems if left unchecked. tune-up definition: 1. the act of making small changes to an engine so that it works as well as possible: 2. the act…. Radiator hoses and heater hoses circulate coolant through the engine and the radiator to expel the heat absorbed. Learn more. With vehicles of old, this was a regular occurrence. This belt usually has an 80,000 – 100,000 mile life cycle, and then must be replaced, along with any tensioner or idler components that run the belt. The original meaning of "tuning" is calibrating and adjusting the car for the desired purpose. Failure can cause the engine to consume oil at a much faster rate, cause poor fueling conditions, misfires, and actually blow out gaskets due to pressure accumulating in the crankcase. Inspect the belt(s) for cracks, fraying, glazing or fluid contamination. Winter means bad weather, less sunlight, and poor road conditions. When a timing belt breaks on most vehicles, the piston can and will come in contact with valves that are stuck open which causes catastrophic damage. Be sure to document yourself thoroughly before investing time and money into anything. There is no doubt that tuning your car can dramatically improve not only its looks but also its capabilities and performance. Modern cars still have fluids, filters, and a bunch of other stuff that requires maintenance. But you don’t need to bother to ask your mechanic for a tune-up anymore—just follow the service schedule listed in your owner’s manual. What are the factors to consider when tuning? For this reason it is important for the user to know "what their target/goal" is and "what parts are needed" to achieve this goal. For others (and most of our readers) the aim is to get the car running and performing better than originally intended. You can find out of it is time to replace your hoses by inspecting them for swelling, bulging, or leaks. Beginners guide to tuning. For over 50 years, a tune-up meant that the vehicle’s ignition system – breaker points and condenser, were replaced and/or adjusted, a new distributor cap, rotor, and spark plugs were installed, ignition timing was set, and the vehicles carburetor was adjusted and “tuned” (hence the term) for optimal performance. Brake fluid is a vital fluid in your vehicle, without it you would not be able to stop. Does your car need to be warmed up before it's safe to drive? Meaning of tuning. Refer to the service manual for specific diagnostic, repair and tool information for your particular vehicle. Dark or muddy looking fluid is a sure sign of hygroscopic contamination. A car tune-up is a type of preventive maintenance performed on a vehicle to ensure it continues to perform well. Be sure to mix the coolant with the correct amount of water or use a pre-mixed product that’s ready to pour in. Apart from that, it lets car owners handle a vehicle effectively to overcome unwanted problems. Most have a form of forced induction and go pop whilst shooting aggressive flames! For many "a tuned car" is simply one running at peak efficiency and they would achieve this by a full service and adjustment to factory specifications. Luckily, a small amount of basic maintenance and some quick inspections can get your car ready to drive through winter weather. When talking about vehicles, a TunerCar is a vehicle with modifications and replaced OEM (original engine manufacture) parts. With the belt off, rotate the tensioner through its arc of travel. Over time, belts and hoses wear down due to the elements they are exposed to such as heat and cold as well as the constant use they see with day to day operation of the vehicle. tuning definition: 1. the way an instrument or a string on an instrument is tuned: 2. the way an instrument or a…. Always chock your wheels prior to lifting a vehicle. Always wear gloves and safety glasses and other personal protection equipment, and work in a well-ventilated area. Always refer to your owner’s manual to determine the recommended coolant for your vehicle. Dashboard lights are nothing new, but the messages are. For example, by increasing engine power, inadequacies may be felt in the braking or suspension which were not noticeable before. Acceleration- The rate of change in velocity with respect to time.According to Newton's second law of motion, acceleration is equal to the force, divided by mass (A=F/M). 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