100 million Americans head out on vacation every year. Many of them choose to ditch lining up at the airport and instead take their trip on the road.
Since you’re reading this post, we’re willing to bet that you have an imminent road trip coming up and you’re wondering if your car is up to the task. Knowing how to tell if a car tune-up is in order before a long drive is an invaluable skill that can reduce your chances of being among the 6 million people that are involved in car accidents every year.
If you’re curious to know which vehicle signs scream that your car needs general maintenance, keep reading!
1. Trouble Starting
One of the most obvious ways how to tell if your car is due for a tune-up is if it has trouble starting. For older vehicles, startup trouble is normal in severe cold. For average-aged and newer cars, you’ll want to look into maintenance if start-up troubles are common.
Start-up trouble could mean issues with your ignition, spark-plugs or several other factors that you don’t want failing while you’re on the highway.
2. Your Vehicle Stalls
When a vehicle stalls, its engine stops turning while it’s in motion. This occurrence could lead to you losing control of your car or may prompt a car to hit you from behind due to your rapid deceleration.
Vehicle stalls are almost always attributed to faulty spark plugs. Fortunately, during a car tune-up, your mechanic can realign your existing plugs or replace them.
3. Odd Sounds While Idling
We’ve all been in or have been stopped next to a car that has shaken, knocked or rattled while stalled. If the car that you own is prone to those occurrences, it’s time for a tune-up.
Car noises can be caused by several issues including your vehicle’s heat shield, AC compressor, belt tensioner and more. A qualified mechanic should be able to diagnose your car’s problem and remedy it so the problem doesn’t worsen on the road.
4. Jumpy Acceleration
Your car should be able to smoothly accelerate when coming onto a freeway on-ramp. If your vehicle jumps when you press in your gas pedal, your fuel injector or transmission could be at fault.
For cars that have an “Active Eco” setting, turn it off to see if the problem persists. If it does or if your car doesn’t have an Eco mode, it’s best to speak with a mechanic.
5. Decreasing Gas Mileage
Noticeable reductions in gas mileage aren’t only expensive issues. They’re also issues that could mean deeper and potentially dangerous problems with your car.
For example, reduced fuel economy could be attributed to having low tire pressure. Low pressure puts you at risk of blowing a tire on a freeway. Other causes such as faulty spark plugs, bad fuel injectors and more can also present dangers.
By sending your car in for a tune-up, you’ll not only make your road trip safer but might also save hundreds of dollars throughout your trip depending on how far you’re planning on driving.
6. Your Check Engine Light Is On
When your check engine light is on, your car is due for a check-up. As a matter of fact, a check engine light tells you that your car is past due.
Many consider check engine lights to be a suggestion rather than a demand for maintenance. What many of those people learn is that driving with a check engine light active can cause serious engine damage that may result in substantial repair costs which could have been avoided with a timely check-up.
7. Your Steering Wheel Leans
Your steering wheel’s default position should be almost perfectly straight. Steering wheels that lean to the left or right when they’re not being held benefit from being checked on since they reduce the amount of control that you have over your vehicle.
While a slight lean in your steering wheel might not seem like a big deal, several car accidents are avoided by fractions of a second which will work against you if your steering wheel isn’t fully responsive.
8. Reduced Braking Proficiency
If your car’s brakes are not as responsive to your pedal as they used to be and you feel it’s hampering your ability to come to safe stops, get a vehicle tune-up. Braking issues can be attributed to faulty pads, bad brake fluid and other factors that a car professional can remedy.
9. Manufacturer Recommendations
Just because your car is running fine doesn’t mean that it’s not due for a tune-up. An easy way how to tell if your car needs maintenance without experiencing malfunctions is to ask your vehicle’s manufacturer for recommendations.
Chances are, your car came with a booklet that answers the question “how often should you get your car serviced“. Do your best to follow the advice that you receive, especially if you intend to keep your car’s warranty in-tact.
Now That You Know How to Tell If Your Car Needs a Tune-Up, Get It the Help It Needs
Knowing how to tell if your car needs a tune-up is one thing. Going through the trouble of scheduling maintenance and getting the necessary work done is another.
Our team can’t stress enough the importance of ensuring that your car is in fantastic shape before taking it out for an extended drive. There’s nothing in this world that’s more important than your safety and by investing in your car’s health, you increase your odds of getting to your destination.
If you’re interested in reading more posts having to do with travel, check out the newest content that we have featured on our blog!
