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Most cars on the roads today use electronic ignition and fuel injection systems which have enabled computers to take over control of most engine settings, so the old fashioned tune up has pretty well gone by the wayside - except for certain things like:

1. Spark Plugs-These are a good indicator of engine condition and they do wear out. Removing and inspecting these can give you inside information on how your engine is running and exactly where and what the problems might be.
   A normal spark plug from an engine in good condition should have a center insulator which is white to light tan in color.
   Black or gray sooty insulators on spark plugs can indicate that your mixture is too rich and you are wasting precious gas.
   Black oily insulators on spark plugs usually mean that somehow excess oil is being burned and the cause should be investigated before serious damage occurs.
   When you remove plugs from your engine keep track of which plug came from which cylinder as this can tell you which cylinder is having the problem
   Spark plugs should be removed and inspected every 15,000 miles for best effect and should be replaced every 25,000 miles.
   
   
2. Distributor Cap & Rotor - The job of these two is to conduct the high voltage the spark plugs need for ignition to the right place at the right time. Normally these made of a high dielectric plastic which will deteriorate with age and use. If this happens cracks may form which will allow high voltage to escape and moisture to seep in. Metal contacts on both can also corrode which can cause misfiring.
   
   
3. Spark Plug Wire Sets- Modern spark plug wiring is now less of a problem as new materials and sizing have reduced failures.
   
   
4. There are many filters on your car which need to be inspected and/or changed on a regular basis to insure good running and long life for your engine. Some of the filters are:

a) The Fuel Filter - Injectors can be clogged by minute particles if not filtered out by the fuel filter and any dirt reaching the injector itself can clog or damage the injector valve and seat, which will lead to increased fuel consumption.
If not replaced regularly (every 30,000 miles is a suggested interval) fuel flow to the engine can become restricted, which may result in loss of power and hard starting.

b) The Oil Filter - Oil filters are too often neglected, resulting in unnecessary engine wear. The oil filter's job is to remove products of corrosion, combustion and other contaminants from the oil which will result in lower engine wear. Changing the oil filter often will also prolong the life of your engine oil, especially the modern synthetic oil types. Replace You oil filter every 3,000 miles, or even more often.

c)The Engine Air Filter - This removes dirt present in the air coming into the engine by trapping particles and moisture as the air passes through the filter. This protects the expensive air flow meter and keeps it working at its best in addition to keeping grit out of the combustion chamber. Air filters should be replaced every 20,000 miles or more often if you drive in dusty areas.

Some other parts that you will want to include in your regular tune ups and inspections include:

• Vacuum Hoses -Modern engines are very sensitive to air leakage in these hoses and even small leaks can result in rough running and loss of power. All vacuum hoses should be inspected and replaced as needed.
• Temperature Sensors - These do not often need replacement but when they do fail can can cause poor performance problems and hard starting. These sensors not only report temperatures to your instrument panel but send important signals to the fuel injection system, the cooling system and the exhaust system.

Small things can often make a big difference over a long period of time and remembering faithfully check all of the above items in each tune up can help extend the life of your engine and improve its overall performance. Nearly done, but remember that a clean engine runs cooler, is much easier to work on and makes it easier to see which parts are likely to fail soon.

Last but not least, before starting any work on your car, you should know your vehicle's systems and their particular requirements before beginning the work.

If you don't understand how it works, don't try fixing it.

"If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It"

The coolest of tune ups to you, and may you and your vehicle last a long time!