Is a "tune up" necessary?

[sillysimms]

I have an older car with under 70,000 km on it (don't drive it too much). I take it to the dealership for its regular maintenance (they advised only need to go every 6 months because it isn't driven a lot).

Yesterday when I brought it in the said the only thing they have is a recommendation and it can wait until the next appt. if I want. They said the mechanic suggested a tune up which he said includes plugs, cap and rotor (not sure if this is inspection or actually doing something to it). Cost would be $190.

Does anyone know if this service is actually necessary? In the past I've had the brakes done as well as the timing belt changed as the water pump needed to be changed so it was to be done at the same time.

Any advice is appreciated!

(I know it is often suggested that we not go to a dealership for maintenance I had a major problem that was caused by the non-dealership mechanic that ended up being very costly!)

[Pete_Coach]

How does the car run? Is it running smoothly? No hesitations on acceleration? Idles well? gas mileage is constant and has not decreased?
If it is fine, then I cannot see any advantage to changing the plugs, cap and rotor. Normally, those items should last beyond 100,000kms. Check the owners manual for the maintenance requirements and it should actually identify the items suggested for replacement at various mileage intervals.

[m4gician]

Check the owners manual for the maintenance requirements and it should actually identify the items suggested for replacement at various mileage intervals.

x2!!

[buyright auto selection]

I would definatly do the tune up especialy because the car isn't being driven that often, it's a small price to pay to prolong the life of the car,it will also improve your gas milage,tune ups and transmission services are very important for you car.

[Pete_Coach]

I would definatly do the tune up especialy because the car isn't being driven that often, it's a small price to pay to prolong the life of the car,it will also improve your gas milage,tune ups and transmission services are very important for you car.

How? If the car is running fine, if the mileage is good, if the performance is still fine, why change things? It will just cost money so you can have the same as you had before you changed things? This is false economy and unnecessary work.
Yes, maintenance is important but, maintenance when not needed is wasting time and money.

[feet_]

DIY!!!

if you can turn a ratchet, you can do it!!

[sillysimms]

Thanks everyone. Wish I could do it myself, but the extent of my mechanical ability ends at putting in gas, air in the tires and maybe windshield washer fluid:)

How does the car run? Is it running smoothly? No hesitations on acceleration? Idles well? gas mileage is constant and has not decreased?
If it is fine, then I cannot see any advantage to changing the plugs, cap and rotor. Normally, those items should last beyond 100,000kms. Check the owners manual for the maintenance requirements and it should actually identify the items suggested for replacement at various mileage intervals.

Yes, no problems with the car and I have done things that they said needed to be done as we've gone along.

I will check the manual too and see what it says. Thanks.

[notanexpert]

...
Normally, those items should last beyond 100,000kms.
...


There's no way regular plugs will last that long. Most likely if the mechanic recommended changing them, that means the time is up for them. A 10 year old Accord has copper core plugs from the factory. The car can still run OK, even though the plugs should really be changed.
As for the distributor cap and rotor, if they are still original, then they are probably close to the end of their usefull life as well. Much better to change them before they leave you on the side of the road stranded.

[myapple]

There's no way regular plugs will last that long. Most likely if the mechanic recommended changing them, that means the time is up for them. A 10 year old Accord has copper core plugs from the factory.
Actually...the early 2000 accords came with platinum NGK plugs, not copper.

[Anonymouse]

How do spark plugs degrade? I mean, if you're not getting misses, aren't they working perfectly?

[Pete_Coach]

There's no way regular plugs will last that long. Most likely if the mechanic recommended changing them, that means the time is up for them. A 10 year old Accord has copper core plugs from the factory. The car can still run OK, even though the plugs should really be changed.
As for the distributor cap and rotor, if they are still original, then they are probably close to the end of their usefull life as well. Much better to change them before they leave you on the side of the road stranded.
You may be right in your thinking process but, you need to identify a problem to fix. As I said before, if things are running fine, why would you spend the money to make them run....fine? Why would you spend the time and effort and in particular, the money, if it was not needed? If the car is not experiencing any problems or issues leave it alone. All that said, if there is an interval prescribed in the manual, then by all means, follow the suggestion.
How do spark plugs degrade? I mean, if you're not getting misses, aren't they working perfectly?
Yes, they are.
There are misconceptions out there that if you don't do something just in case, there may be catastrophic events in the future. This is wrong. You need to know and feel your car. If it hiccups or farts, then that is out of the ordinary and you should check into it.

[TheDude79]

^ Pete

There's such a thing as preventative maintenance. Sometimes you replace parts before they fail to prevent catastrophic results. I'm not saying plugs are one of these things, but timing belts sure are. You certainly don't wait for your timing belt to fail because it was working "perfectly".

[kozzie]

It seems like this dealer has treated the OP fairly in the past, and so I would give them the benefit of the doubt that their recommendation is a valid one.

That said why not ask Why they are recommending the service? Did they pull a plug and see corrosion? Do they see arcing on the wires? A crack on the distributor cap?

If they are recommending the work based on time or mileage then I am inclined to agree with Pete. Not doing this work will not cause damage. That said if one of these components failed you may have to rush your car in, or much less likely, have it towed.

[plymouthhater]

Any advice is appreciated!

(I know it is often suggested that we not go to a dealership for maintenance I had a major problem that was caused by the non-dealership mechanic that ended up being very costly!)

You're in Mississauga - call http://www.ricksrepair.ca

[morglum82]

Thanks everyone. Wish I could do it myself, but the extent of my mechanical ability ends at putting in gas, air in the tires and maybe windshield washer fluid:)



I've just decided to learn how to do the easy jobs on my car, and changing spark plugs is definitely one of them.

You'll need:
-a ratchet
-an extension (got a 10" one for 7$ at canadian tire)
-either a 5/8" or 13/16" DEEP socket for your ratchet, depending on the spark plugs size.

That's it! A good tip to help the removal of the old spark plug (so it doesnt fall off from the socket when you try to lift it out of the engine) is to put some electrical tape facing out so it glues itself to the socket.

Even I managed to do it with my 10 thumbs :o)

you may want to look at a video on youtube, makes it easier to understand.
Try this one from richpin06a :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqB2nq0V07c

[sillysimms]

Thanks everyone for your comments..

^ Pete

There's such a thing as preventative maintenance. Sometimes you replace parts before they fail to prevent catastrophic results. I'm not saying plugs are one of these things, but timing belts sure are. You certainly don't wait for your timing belt to fail because it was working "perfectly".

Yes re: timing belts. I had my timing belt replaced a lot earlier than suggested as per the manual regarding preventative maintenance. The water pump needed to be replaced and they suggested the timing belt be done at the same time since most of the labour has already been done to access the water pump. I know that is true so went along with their recommendation there and had the timing belt replaced at only about 50,000 KM.

It seems like this dealer has treated the OP fairly in the past, and so I would give them the benefit of the doubt that their recommendation is a valid one.

That said why not ask Why they are recommending the service? Did they pull a plug and see corrosion? Do they see arcing on the wires? A crack on the distributor cap?

If they are recommending the work based on time or mileage then I am inclined to agree with Pete. Not doing this work will not cause damage. That said if one of these components failed you may have to rush your car in, or much less likely, have it towed.

I agree. I did ask them and they said they don't see any problems and it is only a recommendation and can wait another 6 months until my next appointment. They are only suggesting it based on that fact that they would suggest this be done at the time the timing belt is replaced and it wasn't. He said it is only preventative maintenance.

You're in Mississauga - call http://www.ricksrepair.ca

Thanks. Will keep that in mind if I ever need a different mechanic.

I've just decided to learn how to do the easy jobs on my car, and changing spark plugs is definitely one of them.

You'll need:
-a ratchet
-an extension (got a 10" one for 7$ at canadian tire)
-either a 5/8" or 13/16" DEEP socket for your ratchet, depending on the spark plugs size.

That's it! A good tip to help the removal of the old spark plug (so it doesnt fall off from the socket when you try to lift it out of the engine) is to put some electrical tape facing out so it glues itself to the socket.

Even I managed to do it with my 10 thumbs :o)

you may want to look at a video on youtube, makes it easier to understand.
Try this one from richpin06a :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqB2nq0V07c

Very helpful...but as much money as I may save I just don't see me being able to do it:(

[Pete_Coach]

^ Pete

There's such a thing as preventative maintenance. Sometimes you replace parts before they fail to prevent catastrophic results. I'm not saying plugs are one of these things, but timing belts sure are. You certainly don't wait for your timing belt to fail because it was working "perfectly".

100% correct but, without knowing what the OEM interval recommendations are, I stand by what I said. I believe in preventative maintenance, as a matter of fact I prescribe it most of the time but, in the case of the OP and his specific question (Is a "tune up" necessary?), I just suggest that he "may" not need to do it right now. We are talking about plugs, cap and rotor. The OP's example of his timing belt change is a very good one, if you are in the area and it is close, then by all means, have it done so you won't have to go in that area again for close to the same work effort.
The suggestion by the dealer to do a tune up can and in some cases by some people would be, construed as an upsell. It is all in context.

[ricoboxing]

^ also a spark plug gapper. u can get them at princess auto for a couple bucks

[evoviii]

Be careful about mechanics separating charges for spark plugs, oil change, fluids and then "tune up". It's being charged for the same thing twice unless they specify what a tune entails.

But I agree, owner's manual gives you all the info you need. Almost everything you can do yourself.

Windshield fluid
Air filter
A/C filter
Battery change
Spark plug
Oil changes (personally I'd rather have someone else do it especially winter)

Brake fluid/transmission fluid, i'm not as familar with and can't comment.