Car tune ups: Preventative maintenance and long-term value

Preventative maintenance is key to maximizing your fuel economy and the overall life of your vehicle. Ideally, you should schedule a car tune up about every two years or 30,000 miles, or as specified by your owner’s manual.

Regular engine tune-ups are important because they provide a chance for an experienced mechanic to get under the hood and inspect various elements of your vehicle before small problems transform into costly repairs. For the low price of a car tune up or inspection, you can extend the overall lifetime of your car and improve its fuel efficiency.

At Telle Tire & Auto Centers, we know that every car is different and there’s no one-size-fits-all car tune up. So, whether you’re coming in for a regular car tune up, or the regular maintenance specified by your owner’s manual, we can take care of you.

When’s the last time your engine had a tune up?

Trust the mechanics St. Louis has gone to since 1942.

What happens during an engine tune up?

Car tune-ups give us a chance to look under your hood and inspect your engine. In addition to typical tune up services—spark plug replacement, fuel filter maintenance, etc.—we’ll also consult with your owner’s manual to see what other, preventative maintenance might be needed. Then we’ll work with you to create a customized maintenance plan

Here are some of the services you can expect during a typical engine tune up:

  • Fuel filter maintenance
    Over time, your fuel filter can become clogged with debris and deposits. If and when this happens, your fuel system will be less able to deliver the correct fuel-air mixture to your engine. During your engine tune up, we will check your fuel filter and, if needed, replace it, saving you the cost of full engine failure down the road.
  • Spark plug replacement
    If your spark plugs are beginning to fail or wear, your engine will have reduced power and efficiency. As part of your car tune-up, we’ll check to see if your spark plugs are wearing out or corroding. If needed, we’ll replace your spark plugs and repair any ignition wires as needed.
  • Inspect ignition system
    As the name implies, the ignition is responsible for igniting the fuel in the engine cylinders. If your ignition system is wearing out, your car can become less reliable and the useful life of your engine can be greatly reduced. We’ll inspect your ignition system—and all its parts—during any engine tune up.
  • Fluid check
    Many parts of your car, such as your transmission and engine, require fluids as lubrication. As fluids leak or retain dirt and debris, they become less able to serve their intended function. Topping off or changing oil, transmission fluid or coolant can go a long way toward amping your engine’s performance.
  • Oil and filter change
    You need to change your oil about every 2-6,000 miles—much more often than you come in for a car tune up. Still, as part of any tune-up, we’ll check your oil and oil filter to make sure everything’s in order before we put you back on the road.
  • Check air filter
    Your engine relies on a precise fuel-air mixture in order to run which is, in part, provided by your air filter. Over time, your air filter can become clogged, meaning your fuel-air mixture can become too fuel-heavy. This not only wastes fuel and reduces your fuel economy—it can prematurely wear your engine. That’s why, during any engine tune up, we check your air filter to save you the price of costly engine repairs later on.
  • Adjust clutches in manual transmission vehicles
    In manual transmission cars, your clutch allows you to change gears. We’ll give your clutch a quick inspection to ensure everything is in working as part of your engine tune up.
  • Battery service
    Your battery—along with your entire electrical system—provides the critical power needed to start your car and keep it running. We’ll make sure your battery cables and electrical system are working properly during the car tune up.

The Telle Difference

f it’s time for a car tune ups, bring your car to Telle Tire & Auto Centers. Since 1942, St. Louis car owners have trusted us to provide the highest level of service  and customer care.

And, while people might come to us for the great value we provide, they come back we treat them like family and provide high-quality service. Why do we go the extra mile? Because we don’t want you to worry about your car. After all, that’s our job.

Trust your car with the automotive repair technicians that go the extra mile.