What are engine tune up kits and what is in them?

The engine tune up is an ancient and enduring automotive ritual, passed down through the ages.  Certain parts essential to the functioning of your engine are expected to wear down and lower engine performance. They need to be periodically replaced to keep your engine running smoothly. It can be a good idea to replace all these things at the same time to save yourself the effort of doing multiple jobs. 

The engine parts that need to be regularly replaced include: air filters, fuel filters, spark plugs and spark plug wires, the distributor cap and rotor, and the serpentine belt or accessory belts. Tune-up kits from 1A Auto may include some or all of these parts, depending on the needs of your vehicle, making it easy to do the complete job.

How do I know if my engine needs a tune up?

Ideally, you should perform an engine tune-up at regular intervals, just like you see your doctor at regular intervals. Many manufacturers recommend a tune up every 30,000 miles. New technologies do help engine parts last a little longer, though. Some parts, such as air filters, may need to be replaced more often. Some mechanics recommend replacing the air filter every 3,000 miles. More lenient ones may recommend just visually inspecting the filter at that interval and replacing it if it looks dirty. Fuel filters can be changed less often. Some recommend changing them every 50,000 miles. Some manufacturers claim that their fuel filters last indefinitely. 

If you don’t keep on top of this kind of routine maintenance, you might start to have problems with your engine’s running. Old spark plugs, worn spark plug wires, or a worn distributor rotor or cap can cause spark timing issues that might make your engine accelerate poorly or misfire. A worn serpentine belt can make your engine accessories run poorly. The alternator might not supply enough charge to the battery, the water pump might not cool the engine effectively, leading to overheating, or a slow power steering pump might make the steering feel stiffer. A clogged air filter can reduce gas mileage, increase emissions, and potentially damage the engine. A clogged fuel filter can make the fuel pump strain to do its job and might make acceleration difficult, especially up hills. 

For many of these parts, the best way to tell if they need to be replaced is through a visual inspection. If the part looks worn or corroded, then it probably needs to be replaced. Incidentally, dissecting an old fuel filter can tell you a lot about the health of your fuel system. If, for example, there’s rust in your fuel filter, you may be looking at a fuel tank replacement down the line. 

Can I tune up my engine myself?

You can certainly tune-up your own engine. Throughout automotive history, the tune-up has been something of a rite of passage for the beginning do-it-yourself mechanic. Most of the parts to be replaced can be easily accessed on top of the engine. One tip that will save you a lot of hassle is, if you are replacing your distributor cap, remove it with the spark plug wires still attached to it. That way you can match the new wires to the old ones to make sure you install them in the correct positions. You may also want to label each spark plug wire with tape flags so that you know which spark plug to attach them to. Installing the spark plug wires incorrectly can lead to big timing problems and might damage your engine. 

The fuel filter is the outlier in terms of difficulty. In some cases, it may be held in a canister underneath the vehicle frame. In others it might be inside the fuel tank, which will necessitate removing the tank. In either case you’ll want to depressurize the fuel system before replacing the fuel filter. You can do that by removing the fuel pump fuse and then running the engine until it stalls. 

While you’re doing routine maintenance, it would be a good idea to check all your fluids, and refill or replace them as necessary. 

Need an engine tune up kit?

Keeping your engine well maintained and running like new is essential. At 1A Auto you will find the engine tune up parts you need, at a great value, for many makes and models. We have different levels of engine tune up kits depending on what you want to do to your car or truck. These parts are exactly what you need to keep your vehicle running smooth and strong.

We also make shopping for an engine tune up kit for your car, truck, SUV or van easy at 1A Auto - we're here to help you select the right parts for your vehicle! Call our customer service toll free at 888-844-3393 if you have any questions about our aftermarket engine tune up kits, warranty, compatibility or to purchase, or you can buy online.