Engine diagnostics keep your engine running efficiently. The OBD-II System can detect problems before they damage your engine or hurt its performance. These diagnostics will detect problems and turn on your “check engine” light. If your “check engine” light stays on, you have a problem with your engine, and it should be checked. These diagnostics will let you take care of problems early and help you save money. The diagnostics will also keep your vehicle running efficiently and keep your vehicle’s emissions low. If you ignore your “check engine” light, you can be damaging your engine. Also, your vehicle may not pass emissions tests when this light is on.

Again, since 1996, all vehicles built to be sold in the United States have on-board diagnostics that monitor engine’s performance and inform drivers of problems. Your vehicle basically monitors and diagnoses its own performance. However, you can purchase your own computer or scanner to check for problems with your engine. These are the same scanners that technicians use to receive and diagnose problems stored by your OBD-II System. You can purchase one of these scanners and periodically check your engine’s performance, or you can rely on your OBD-II System and have your vehicle inspected by a trained technician whenever your “check engine” light comes on.

As our engines have changed over time, so have our engine tune-ups. In the past, it was necessary to check and change many more parts. Today, engine tune-ups include checking, diagnosing, and replacing bad spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor caps, fuel filters, air filters, and oil filters. Tune-ups can also include checking emission levels, fuel lines, wiring, coolant hoses, and serpentine belts. Checking items such as ignition contact points, ignition timing, carburetors, and condensers aren’t included anymore because today’s vehicles include electronic ignitions as well as computers that automatically adjust engine timing when necessary. These tune-ups keep your engine running as efficiently as possible and prevent early breakdown. Regular tune-ups will also extend the life of your vehicle.

If regular maintenance and inspection isn’t performed on your engine, your vehicle may not be operating as reliably or efficiently as it should. A well-tuned engine operates at maximum performance levels. During a tune-up, engine parts that affect performance are checked and replaced. Spark plugs create an electrical spark that ignites the gasoline/air mixture in your engine. They create, and must be able to withstand, a tremendous amount of voltage and heat. If your engine’s spark plugs aren’t working properly, your engine can stall and may not even start. Spark plug wires are also very important. They have to be able to transfer and withstand the voltage created by the spark plug. If they are old, they can burn out and cause a misfire. Fuel and air filters are two more items that are checked during an engine tune-up. These two items affect engine performance and gas mileage. Fuel filters help protect your engine’s fuel system. They trap dirt and other debris in your fuel and don’t allow them to reach your engine. Over time, a fuel filter will clog and won’t allow fuel to flow freely. This can lead to poor acceleration and poor engine performance. Engines also require a free flow of clean air to operate. Outside air travels through the air filter and mixes with your vehicle’s fuel to power your engine. Air filters trap the dirt and other debris from the outside air. As with fuel filters, air filters can clog over time. A dirty air filter can cause your vehicle to lose up to 20 horsepower, while making your engine work harder, since it restricts airflow. A dirty air filter will also reduce your gas mileage. Your engine requires the exact amount of air and fuel, but with decreased airflow there is less air mixing with your vehicle’s fuel; therefore, your engine uses more fuel to compensate.

Engine tune-ups should be performed every 15,000 to 20,000 miles, depending on driving conditions. Check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s suggested tune-up period. There are also several signs to look for that will tell you when you need a tune-up. First, if your vehicle is stalling; second, if you experience a decrease in gas mileage; or third, there is a noticeable loss in power or acceleration, you should have a tune-up performed. You should also have a tune-up performed if your “Check Engine” or “Service Engine” lights come on. Again, regular tune-ups will increase your engine’s performance and extend the life of your vehicle.