5 Signs Your Car Needs a Tune Up

Published on: 13 June 2018 Last Updated on: 24 July 2024

Owning a car is like being the parent of a small child when it comes to maintenance. There may be something going on, but the child is not able to tell us.

Like babies, cars don’t speak English. We know toddlers can upchuck some pretty uncommon-looking stuff. Then, words are no longer necessary. And, your vehicle can cough up troubles from its insides, too.

Warning lights, sputtering, and sticky shifting may tell us there’s a problem.

And, there are other signs such as uneven tire wear. This may mean suspension problems, according to Mick’s Automotive experts.

Cars and SUV’s need more maintenance than ever. This is thanks to modern electronics and computers. So, a basic tune-up evolves with each new model.

But, the signs your car needs a tune-up does not require a software engineer. We learn with time what our kids, and our cars, need.

Learning to recognize symptoms that you need a mechanic is easier than most people think.

Here’s when it’s time to get a tune-up for your car:

It Doesn’t Want to Start :

On icy mornings, both you and your car can be slow to get going. But, if your car is doing the same on warm mornings or after warming up on a cold day, there is a problem.

It may need a few adjustments. Slow starts could signal a fuel line issue or a simple battery replacement.

Of course, on the other end of the spectrum may be a new starter.

But, none of these problems will go away. At some point, it won’t start at all. And, you will likely kick yourself (as you are stranded) if a simple tune-up is an answer.

It Stalls Out at Stops :

Stalls are not only annoying but can be dangerous. Pooping out in the middle of an intersection is never good. You’re a sitting duck. You’ll be lucky if anyone will stop to push you to safety.

Merging into moving traffic, then stalling, can leave you vulnerable, too. Loss of power is a sign your car is not getting adequate fuel or oxygen. Or both.

One of the most obvious signs of needing a tune-up on your car is when it stops too often. Powerlessness could signal it needs a new air filter, fuel line cleaning, or spark plugs.

If your car loses power for too long, you’ll pay a hefty price. Not just for repairs, but your fuel efficiency is tanking, also.

In this case, a thorough tune-up starts paying you back right away.

There’s a High-Pitched Squeal From Under the Hood :

Both annoying and embarrassing, the piercing noise may have a few causes. When you get a tune-up, the mechanic will check belts, hoses, and fluids.

If your last checks were a while back, your car is going to continue to screech at you until you bring it in.

The culprit may be low steering fluid or a belt that is past its end date. If the noise is present as you drive, it may be a tire needing balancing. All these are easy fixes.

A more complicated problem may be the CV joint objecting as it wears out. Either way, there’s no louder sign of when to get a tune-up for your car.

Gas Mileage Has Gone Way Down :

Frequent fill-ups may not be the clearest sign your car needs help. But, if your mileage has gone way below average, there is something wrong.

If you have a teenager at home, check for late-night joy rides. If not, then have a mechanic do a routine tune-up and check for more severe problems.

Keep in mind that a stuck brake pad may be the issue. Or, low tire pressure. If the abnormal mileage is a sudden occurrence, it is likely something simple.

It Hesitates When Passing Other Cars :

No acceleration when you need it can be yet another dangerous problem. If you attempt to pass and your car can’t, other drivers get angry, too.

You will get more than a hard stare in some cases.

And, there may be a few different reasons. If it is an issue of power, then your car is telling you something is missing. It is likely a lack of fuel, oxygen, or electrical energy.

With regular tune-ups, this should not happen. The other issue may well be the transmission. If you find your car does not have a smooth shift or hesitates before going into high gear, something’s wrong.

As your car’s engine needs a regular check, so do transmissions. There are components like fluid, screens, and filters.

Any of these may need attention. The longer you wait, the more parts (and cash) you may need.

Read the Owner’s Manual for Signs Your Car Needs a Tune-Up :

If you don’t have your owner’s manual, get one. This book is the best guide for telling what parts need upgrades and when.

Newer models do not need a tune-up until they reach 100,000 miles. Older models need one more often.

And, for significant work to keep a transmission at its best, the manual offers a timeline.

We all know people whose car has a couple of hundred thousand miles on it, and it runs like a top.

Chances are their maintenance records, and owner’s manual is as clean as their engine.

Looking For More Information?

We have great stuff on everything from signs your car needs a tune-up to health and fitness.

Check out our blog for more information that makes your life easier.

Have an idea or input on a blog? Contact us here. We love hearing from our readers!

Read Also :

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

4 Things You Need To Know About Commercial Truck Insurance

Different coverage features are available for commercial truck owners who wish to protect their vehicles. Commercial truck insurance plans also protect your employees. Remember, personal auto policies won’t cover commercial trucks. Here are four things to know when you’re shopping around for the right commercial truck insurance. 1. Commercial Truck Insurance Coverage: Coverage for commercial truck insurance plans fall under three categories: Basic Coverage: Basic coverage for commercial trucks includes collision and comprehensive protection. Collision insurance covers the cost of the other automobile in an accident wherein you (as the driver of the commercial truck) were at fault. Comprehensive insurance works similarly as collision protection, but this coverage helps cover costs from accidents other than collisions. Specialized Coverage: Companies who wish to add additional protection to their truck insurance policies may opt for specialized coverage. One example is cargo insurance wherein the insurance firm can cover the costs for losses or damages to cargo. The total claimable amount depends on the nature and value of the load. Non-Trucking Coverage: Individual coverage may not directly relate to commercial trucking but may still be reliable in certain situations. Commercial truck coverage may include bobtail, non-trucking liability, occupational accident, and personal item insurance. Here’s a brief description of non-trucking coverage plans: Bobtail insurance: Takes effect after the delivery of the package and the vehicle is being driven without cargo. Non-trucking liability insurance: Applies when the vehicle isn’t transporting cargo with or without a connected trailer. Occupational accident insurance: It covers the operator for accidental death or dismemberment during truck driving. Personal item insurance: This coverage covers the full or partial costs of lost or damaged personal items in the commercial truck. The coverage for the insurance plan can differ depending on the truck. Large vehicles that may be part of the security policy may include: Tractor trailers or 18-wheelers Garbage trucks Tow trucks Tank trucks Dump trucks Automobile haulers Flatbed trucks Box trucks 2. The Need for a Commercial Truck Insurance: Commercial truck businesses may need financial help to protect the company’s assets from burdens caused by particular incidents. A commercial truck insurance plan is ideal if your employees are driving vehicles to make deliveries, run errands, or drive people on behalf of the business. You may need coverage for your commercial truck business if you use your firms’ vehicles to: Carry equipment Transport hazardous material Use, carry, or transport heavy construction equipment Deliver newspapers Deliver retail or wholesale products Most commercial trucking companies will need basic coverage for their insurance plans. Still, there are certain situations wherein there might be a need for additional coverage. Ask your insurance agent if you may need other features for the insurance policy. 3. Getting Commercial Truck Insurance Quotes: The values concerning commercial truck insurance varies depending on the truck and nature of the business. These factors may make it difficult to gain a side-by-side comparison for different quotes. Work with your insurance agent to break down individual elements to help you achieve the right insurance policy for your trucking company. To get accurate values for your insurance quotes, your agents may ask you: The full names of the employees driving your trucks Locations of the truck operations (e.g., construction sites and hard hat areas) The commonly delivered packages Annual distance traveled in miles of the trucks Don’t forget to include the driving records of your employees when showing data to your insurance agent. The pieces of information will help you and your agent gathers quotes hoping to give you value from your insurance policy. 4. Commercial Truck Insurance Premiums and Deductibles: Premiums for commercial truck insurance policies are payable in advance through monthly payments. Insurance companies may allow policyholders to cancel the plan at any time. Cancellation may not affect the credit score, but you need to pay all the premiums before the date of cancellation takes effect. Also, insurance premiums may be higher if the policyholder or the truck’s driver has a bad driving record. Remember, insurance companies test the level of risk of policyholders. Hence, drivers with recorded accidents may have to pay higher deductibles than a truck operator with a clean driving record. Commercial truck insurance policies are essential to trucking businesses regardless of size. Commercial truck coverage joins the top things to consider when starting a small trucking company. All insurance policies help you gain peace of mind. It’s best to resist the temptation to cut coverage hoping to reduce costs. Work with a reliable insurance firm to help you see the coverage you need for your trucks and drivers. Read Also: Fred Loya Insurance Company Why You Need Classic Car Insurance? Car Insurance For Electric Vehicles Explained 4 Expert Tips For Finding The Cheapest Insurance For You 7 Reasons Why Teenagers Pay Extra For Car Insurance Why You Need To Choose High-Quality Spare Parts For Your Truck

6 Effective Ways To Improve Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency

Owning a car comes with many perks. You no longer have to endure the hassle of using public transportation when you can sit in the comfort of your own car. Along with this, you no longer have to wait for the bus schedule or squeeze yourself with everyone during the rush hour. However, even with the amazing benefits that your car can provide, there are some drawbacks. Unless your car’s electric, your vehicle needs gas to run for miles. Unfortunately, fuel prices are constantly increasing. While looking for the best gas stations that provide cheaper rates would be a great option, maximizing its efficiency could also be helpful. Some Ways To Improve Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency: 1. Go Easy On The Pedals As soon as you step inside your car, one thing you should keep in mind is to drive smoothly as possible. Not only that it can prevent you from pushing forward and backward every time your step on the brake and accelerator pedals, but it can also help you to save on your fuel consumption. Harsh driving and intense stepping on the pedals can hurt your vehicle and gas consumption, causing even more visits to the gas station. While it might sound exciting to frequently move your body and be intense with your every movement as if you’re a race car driver, it can negatively affect your gas consumption. In most cases, you’ll decrease your fuel efficiency by 15 to 30%. To prevent yourself from wasting money, you should go easy on the pedals and drive smoothly as possible. 2. Don’t Race On The Road An open road without any cars nearby might tempt you to test your speed limit. While it might sound exciting and fun, you should expect higher gas consumption. When you speed, you spend more fuel covering the same distance you would if you went a bit slower. If you’d like to save on gas, you should try to go slow, yet appropriate for the road, as much as possible. Research shows that your car is burning 25% more fuel if you’re running 80mph compared to 70mph. Moreover, depending on the car, driving over 50mph can reduce your fuel economy by 7 to 14%. If there’s no need to rush, try to slow down your speed and conserve your fuel as much as possible. 3. Check For Proper Tire Pressure While it might seem like a separate topic, your vehicle’s tire pressure can affect your car's fuel efficiency, forcing your car to work twice as much and burn your gas. You should begin by identifying your car’s ideal tire pressure and ensure that you keep it that way for your entire ride. Check your tire pressure at least every two weeks at the gas station or do it at home using a gauge and see if you need to add more air. If you choose to allow your vehicle to run with inadequate tire pressure, usually less than ten psi, it might affect your fuel economy by 10% for the entire trip. However, even with a single tire with an incorrect psi, it can still reduce your fuel’s efficiency by 3.3%. Moreover, this is only part of the car maintenance habits that you should observe regularly. 4. Remove Unnecessary Weight The heavier your car is, the more power it needs to run at your desired speed. Even if your vehicle can carry everything you put inside, it’ll only put more work on the machine, requiring additional fuel consumption. You should reduce what you throw inside as much as possible. If you don’t need to bring your kid’s stroller with you all the time or carry your bag full of clothes inside your car, you should consider leaving them behind unless you really need them for the day. Apart from unloading your trunks, you should also consider removing any unnecessary attachments inside your car. This will include your roof boxes and bike rack. If you don’t need them, you should just store them in the garage and attach them when required. While it might be added work, it could help you to improve your car’s fuel efficiency. 5. Plan Your Trips Planning your trips ahead goes a long way in maximizing your travel at the lowest cost. You’ll see which roads you should take, pinpoint heavy traffic points, and decide to take on shorter routes. To help improve your car’s fuel efficiency, you should check the traffic condition by checking the news or using a satellite navigation app that allows you to see the traffic condition in real-time. Moreover, avoiding rush hour would also help as it’s a traffic magnet, forcing you to be idle for a long time. Along with planning your trips, you should also consider making a single long trip, rather than reducing your trips into multiple ones, thinking that it’ll be more fuel-efficient. If you plan on making two short trips instead of one, you’re wasting more gas as your car would consume more fuel each time you turn it on. 6. Turn Off The Engine If you need to wait for someone while in the car, you might want to consider turning off your engine to save on gas. Even if you’re not driving your vehicle as you put it in a parking transmission, it’s consuming an adequate amount of gas, which could call for a visit to the gas station immediately. To avoid this happening, you should consider turning off your engine. When you turn off your engine, you can choose to leave the car or stay inside. However, if you’re staying, you should ensure that you keep your windows open to allow for proper ventilation as your car would be sealed shut, not giving you enough air to breathe in. Takeaway Improving your car’s fuel efficiency can really be challenging, especially if you have a usual driving habit. But trying to be a smooth driver would surely make everyone feel comfortable every time you’re behind the wheel. Moreover, reducing your car’s weight effectively allows for more space while also putting less pressure on your engine. Above all, always check for your tire pressure as they’re the most common reasons why vehicles are burning their fuel consumption. Read Also: 5 Signs Your Car Needs a Tune Up 10 Causes Of Uber Accidents In The United States Choosing the Right Anti-Theft Devices For Your Car In Houston TX

What to Do if You’re in an Accident with a Placarded Truck in Tampa

An accident involving any kind of vehicle or vehicles has the potential to cause great harm for a number of reasons. In addition to the collision of metal, glass, and rubber, the combustion of either vehicle’s fuel tank is a significant factor with which to contend. If one of those vehicles is a placarded truck however, the dangers multiply over and over again. What is a Placarded Truck in Tampa, Florida? Trucks are required, by law, to place specially designed placards on their vehicles when carrying hazardous materials. The type of hazards the materials possess, the amounts being transported, and whether or not these materials will be carried between or within state lines, all determine what colors and numbers the placards have. The transport of these chemicals and substances is quite a dangerous task, which is why placarded trucks are so highly regulated by the Federal government. Hazardous Materials Transported by Placarded Trucks Hazardous materials are categorized into classes based on toxicity, chemical makeup, solid/ liquid/ gaseous state, and how they are generally used. These designations were established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a section of the United States Department of Transportation. They include the following categories: Class 1: Explosives Class 2: Gases Class 3: Flammable and Combustible Liquid Class 4: Flammable Solids, Spontaneously Combustible, and Dangerous When Wet Class 5: Oxidizer and Organic Peroxide Class 6: Poison and Poison Inhalation Hazard Class 7: Radioactive Class 8: Corrosive Class 9: Miscellaneous What to Do if You Are in an Accident with a Truck Carrying Placarded Material in Tampa, Florida Given the inherent dangers involved with the materials listed above, it is important that you take extra measures to ensure your safety if you are ever in a crash with a placarded truck. Move as Far Out of the Area as Possible It is critical that you move as far away from the scene of the accident as possible. Seconds, milliseconds even, count far more than you may understand, even in the absence of a crisis. Call 911 Because combustion is very likely and because the risk of fatalities, injuries, long lasting trauma, and property damage are so high, the police, firemen, and additional first responders must be contacted. It is crucial that the departments contacted through 911 be notified that hazardous materials are involved. It is up to the truck driver and the company for whom they work to inform the police and other agencies of the exact nature of the materials being carried in their truck. Accept Medical Support from Emergency Medical Crews The list of possible injuries from an accident of this magnitude is long and painful. Burns, broken limbs, facial fractures, head injuries from flying debris and blunt force, poisoning, and respiratory distress are only a few of the conditions for which you and other survivors will have to be evaluated. We urge you to follow medical orders at the scene of the accident as well as the hospital to which you will be transported. Contact a car accident lawyer in Tampa, Florida If you are ever in accident of this nature, it is best that you contact a car accident lawyer in Tampa, Florida as soon as possible While you will need to recover, recoup, and refresh, your Tampa, Florida car accident lawyer will guide you through every step of the legal process that is sure to unfold.