Tune-up

[unit731]

In the olden days, cars would/might have a tune-up every 12,000 miles. Points, plugs, wires, timing checked and such.

 

With new vehicles and 100,000 miles plugs - is there such a thing as a tune-up before this mark?

 

Is there such a thing as a tune-up anymore?

 

I have neighbors and friends who still fall for this tune-up thing from dealership/garage. Replace parts that may or may not need replacing.

 

What's the story on the tune-up in current times?

[redvett]

Since you don't state what M/Y your trucks is i will say its at least a GMT800 and they all have platinum plugs and the only thing you have you have to do up to 2003 is fuel filter,air filter. 2004 up with the exception of flex fuel has no fuel filter to replace.

I have four GMT800's and they are service trucks none have had plugs changed until 100000 mi and still were running great when replaced.

[Zembonez]

One of the really GOOD things about modern technology is the fact that we really don't have to "tune up" our vehicles any more.

 

I remember having to replace cheap worn out points, condensers, plugs, wires, pretty often on my vintage rides. Carbs had to be rebuilt, valve stem seals gave it up and engines smoked at startup, tires lasted about 12000 miles... Ah, the gool old days. Not fun.

[RyanZ71]

Having had a long talk with a good trusted friend of mine who is a GM Mechanic, I will be replacing my plugs at around 50,000-60,000 miles, along with the fluids that are rated for 100,000 miles. He has seen quite a few vehicles which went 100,000 miles before plugs and fluid changes with nasty results, plugs that were rusted tight and would break off and strip when they were removed, requiring excessive time and effort to try to get the plugs out by other means, costing the customer more $$$ plugs and plug wires in such bad condition it was no wonder the customer complained of poor fuel economy, Death Cool (DexCool) which was more or less jello in the radiator... a few more things as well. He advised its not just with the GM Vehicles but rather most of the makers who will tell you its safe to go 100,000 miles inbetween tune-ups. On my old 99 Silverado, I ended up replacing the plugs shortly after I purchased the truck at 70,000 miles, they were rather worn and difficult to get out, rust was evident and the spark plug boots were shot.

[05swb53l]

I always perform maintenance changes(fluids, plugs, etc ) more frequently than required.. I mean, the fluids and plugs, etc are usually not that expensive and it's better to be safe than sorry... Seems odd to me to not just swap out plugs around 50-60k when they aren't that much money anyways, especially when compared to how much you spent on the truck to begin with, even if you bought it used(like me).... Then again I believe in maintenance and if you take care of things, it's cheaper and less frustrating in the long run...

 

Just my 02 cents..

[hubbycap]

I have four GMT800's and they are service trucks none have had plugs changed until 100000 mi and still were running great when replaced.

 

So why bother? I had an '89 Taurus once and was in the dealer service for a warranty item at about 50K and the service "advisor" asked if I wanted to "go ahead" (and that's WAY ahead IMO) and do a tune-up. I told him that when I first bought the car new it got 27mpg, it had improved to 31mpg. I asked, Just how good should the mileage get before I should consider a tune-up?

 

Since the wires will probably break anyway, and if fuel efficiency is the barometer of engine tune, is there any detrimental effect of postponing a plug and wire change until there is rough running or a loss in mpg?

[05swb53l]

I do agree that fuel economy is a good determining factor for some items....Like I said, just my 02 cents on what I do...

[Zembonez]

I do agree that fuel economy is a good determining factor for some items....Like I said, just my 02 cents on what I do...

Much like changing oil, there isn't a thing wrong with maintaining a vehicle at a little accelerated pace if you so choose. I've not gone 100K without changing plugs in a truck myself.

 

I think the recommendations are really the MAXIMUM time and mileage you should go between service.

[hubbycap]

Having had a long talk with a good trusted friend of mine who is a GM Mechanic, I will be replacing my plugs at around 50,000-60,000 miles, along with the fluids that are rated for 100,000 miles. He has seen quite a few vehicles which went 100,000 miles before plugs and fluid changes with nasty results, plugs that were rusted tight and would break off and strip when they were removed, requiring excessive time and effort to try to get the plugs out by other means, costing the customer more $$ On my old 99 Silverado, I ended up replacing the plugs shortly after I purchased the truck at 70,000 miles, they were rather worn and difficult to get out, rust was evident and the spark plug boots were shot.

 

At $60-$80 for a set of plugs, maybe a good 50K maintenance item would be to remove the plugs, reinstall with a dab of Neverseize and another dab of dielectric grease on the boots.

[Silverado4x4]

One of the really GOOD things about modern technology is the fact that we really don't have to "tune up" our vehicles any more.

 

I remember having to replace cheap worn out points, condensers, plugs, wires, pretty often on my vintage rides. Carbs had to be rebuilt, valve stem seals gave it up and engines smoked at startup, tires lasted about 12000 miles... Ah, the gool old days. Not fun.

 

Those were also the days where you could sit inside the engine bay and not worry about getting wet if it was raining, boy those points were a mofo sometimes. There was no such thing as a clean engine back then, everything leaked.

[omegafiler]

I just go with the GM/dealer recommendations on when and what to do with scheduled maintenance. Especially since it has an ext'd warranty. I also know my dealer definately wouldn't wait 100k to change some of those fluids. That sort of thing may work on the sales floor, but in the shop, they know better. And I'm all about preventative maintenance. Most of it is just checking fluids and inspecting everything. Besides, there is certainly no harm in replacing something before it goes bad and possibly leaving you stranded somewhere or starts to damage other components in the vehicle.

[jrrod2004]

yep, I would tend to agree, local dealer and independent shop says do it when you notice the little things change (Fuel economy, ride quality, 'new' noises....) and this will save you and them time and money in the long run. If some of you remember me posting, I had the trans fluid changed at 15K and then my trans went out because it was determined that damage was done to the original trans due to the factory 'volume' filling the trans and it was actually low.... when the new trans was put in, a week later I took it in and made them change the oil and filter and give me a complete write up of how much fluid was recovered and how much was put in and whether it was up to the correct OEM specs. I can almost guarentee you that if I had not worried about the trans acting funny early on, they would have surely blamed me for 'abuse and misuse' - POINT in CASE, change them fluids, parts when you feel something (no matter how small).

[wages999]

Changing spark plugs before 100K is a good idea if you live in a state that uses a lot of salt on the roads. It's not fun trying to change spark plugs in a snowstorm after the center blows out and leaves the threads in the engine.

 

Happened to me while driving my dad's '86 Caprice on the highway. It had 89K miles on it with the original plugs and was running fine on them. It had 4.3 V-6 and actually ran decent on 5 cylinders after we gave-up on trying to get it fixed in a parking lot. It was really loud though.

[unit731]

At $60-$80 for a set of plugs, maybe a good 50K maintenance item would be to remove the plugs, reinstall with a dab of Neverseize and another dab of dielectric grease on the boots.

 

A very good idea. Thanks.

[chevy6490]

60-80 dollars for plugs? Where do you guys get your plugs. I just picked up some AC Delco Rapid Fires for my 99 5.3 and it was like 35 bucks for all 8, oh ya and there was a special so they threw in the die electric grease and never seize!!