A motor vehicle service or tune-up is a series of maintenance procedures carried out at a set time interval or after the vehicle has traveled a certain distance. The service intervals are specified by the

vehicle manufacturer The automotive industry comprises a wide range of companies and organizations involved in the design, development, manufacturing, marketing, and selling of motor vehicles. It is one of the world's largest industries by revenue (from 16 % such ...

in a service schedule and some modern

car A car or automobile is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of ''cars'' say that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people instead of goods. The year 1886 is regarded as ...

s display the due date for the next service electronically on the instrument panel. A tune-up should not be confused with engine tuning, which is the modifying of an engine to perform ''better'' than the original specification, rather than using maintenance to keep the engine running as it should.

Common tasks involved in maintaining a vehicle

* Inspection - vehicle components are visually inspected for wear or any leaks. A diagnostic is performed to identify any electrical components reporting a failure or a part operating outside of normal conditions. * Replacement - Given certain lubricants break down over time due to heat and wear, manufacturers recommend replacement. Any parts that are close to their expected failure are replaced too to avoid a failure while operating the vehicle. * Adjustments - as vehicle components wear, they may need adjustment over time. Example: parking brake cable. The completed services are usually recorded in a service book upon completion of each service. A complete service history usually adds to the resale value of a vehicle. Mechanic and Customer

Scheduling

The actual schedule of car maintenance varies depending on the year, make, and model of a car, its driving conditions, and driver behavior. Carmakers recommend the so-called extreme or the ideal service schedule based on impact parameters such as * the number of trips and distance traveled per trip per day * extreme hot or cold climate conditions * mountainous, dusty, or DE-iced roads * heavy stop-and-go vs. long-distance cruising * towing a trailer or other heavy load Service advisers in dealerships and independent shops recommend schedule intervals, which are often in between the ideal or extreme service schedule.

Common maintenance

Maintenance tasks commonly carried out during a motor vehicle service include: * Change the engine oil * Replace the oil filter * Replace the air filter * Replace the fuel filter * Replace the cabin or a/c filter * Replace the spark plugs * Check level and refill brake fluid/clutch fluid * Check Brake pads/Liners,

Brake discs A disc brake is a type of brake that uses the calipers to squeeze pairs of pads against a disc or a "rotor" to create friction. This action slows the rotation of a shaft, such as a vehicle axle, either to reduce its rotational speed or to hold ...

Drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

, and replace if worn out * Check Coolant Hoses * Check the charging systems * Check the battery * Check level and refill power steering fluid * Check level and refill Automatic/Manual Transmission Fluid * Grease and lubricate components * Inspect and replace the timing belt or timing chain if needed * Check condition of the tires * Rotate Tires * Check for proper operation of all lights, wipers, etc. * Check for any error codes in the ECU and take corrective action. * Use a scan tool to read trouble code. Mechanical parts that may cause the car to cease transmission or prove unsafe for the road are also noted and advised upon. In the United Kingdom, few parts that are not inspected on the

MOT test The MOT test (or simply MOT) is an annual test of vehicle safety, roadworthiness aspects and exhaust emissions required in the United Kingdom for most vehicles over three years old. In Northern Ireland the equivalent requirement applies after ...

are inspected and advised upon a Service Inspection, including

clutch A clutch is a mechanical device that engages and disengages power transmission, especially from a drive shaft to a driven shaft. In the simplest application, clutches connect and disconnect two rotating shafts (drive shafts or line shafts). ...

Common tasks involved in maintaining a vehicle

Scheduling

Common maintenance

See also

References

Sources

External links