Tune-up
The term tune-up was coined back when Henry Ford was working on his first prototype for the automobile. This first ignition system was very simple; one ignition coil for one spark plug, so if there were four spark plugs there would be four ignition coils. The coil needed to be adjusted to provide the same spark intensity for better idle and acceleration. As these coils worked they made a buzzing sound so when they were adjusted properly they all buzzed the same; they were in tune. That’s how the term tuneup was coined. This term stuck and was associated with the replacement of spark plugs and any performance or rough idle problem that could be associated to engine operation. Once the distributor was developed the term tuneup had no meaning as to how an engine performed, but the consumer who was used to hearing this term around the garage, automatically associated poor running quality with the need to be in tune.
Today’s automobiles do not require tuneups. Automobile manufacturers have set forth in their recommended maintenance schedules, intervals for replacing spark plugs, PCV valves, fuel filters, etc. While recommending that other items related to engine operation be checked for proper operation and/or adjustment such as ignition timing, idle speed, and other emission control related devices. Only when the maintenance has been performed should a performance problem be addressed to correct any given set of problems. If an operating or performance problem is still present after the maintenance has been performed an engine analysis would then be required. Therefore the term tuneup indicates the need for routine maintenance and should not be associated with poor performance. If your vehicle experiences any operating or performance problems between maintenance intervals, that specific problem should be addressed by performing engine analysis to isolate that particular problem.
