July 1

10 Signs That It’s Time to Get a Tune-up

Huffines Kia Service Center

Whether you’re buying a new or used vehicle, when you purchase a car, truck, or SUV, it’s important to take all necessary precautions to keep it operating at its best. Regular tuneups are a key method of keeping your car working at its best by reducing problems, improving its functionality and keeping systems working as intended. At Huffines Kia Corinth we want the cars we sell to last, so this guide to tune-ups can help you keep your car working its best.

The Benefits of a Car Tuneup at Your Dealership

When scheduling a tuneup, you have options for where to take your vehicle in for servicing. The best option for your car tuneup needs is to take advantage of a dealership service station. Here are the top reasons to choose a dealership service station for a tuneup:

  • If you have an active warranty it may allow for free or discounted tuneups.
  • It improves the efficiency and performance of your car.
  • It reduces your exposure to costly repairs.
  • Minimizing wear and tear on the car increases its overall longevity.
  • Dealership service stations offer the reliability and professionalism you know from when you purchased your car.
  • Dealership mechanics specialize in the cars offered by the dealership, so they can provide the highest quality service.

10 Signs Your Car Is Ready for a Tuneup

Regular tuneups are an excellent way to keep your car working the way it is supposed to. Understanding when you need a tuneup may seem daunting, but by paying attention to these indicators you can keep your car on an effective tuneup schedule:

Accumulated Miles

The first and easiest way to know that your car is due for a tuneup is when you’ve hit the required miles after your last tuneup. While the amount of miles a car can travel between servicing can vary based on make, model, and year, your car service professional should let you know the next mile marker to pay attention to. When you hit that mark, be sure to schedule a servicing promptly, even if you think your car is working fine.

Dashboard Warnings

When a warning light turns on for your car’s dashboard, that’s a sign that you need to seek servicing as soon as possible. While some lights may indicate a minor problem your car can manage, it can also mean a serious concern that risks expensive damage if not addressed, so contact a service professional right away.

Decreasing Gas Mileage

As your car experiences wear and tear, it can begin to operate less efficiently. The most noticeable way this reveals itself is in the average mileage you get out of a tank of gas. When your miles-per-gallon falls, it can be a sign that your car is damaged and no longer working at its best, so take it in for a check-up to see what the issue is.

New Vibrations

Every car is designed to run smoothly, and while some achieve this better than others, you should grow acclimated to how it feels to drive your car rather quickly. If you notice your car is no longer handling how you expect it to, such as unusual shaking or vibrating, that can be a sign of trouble and means a trip to the service station is your best option.

Poor Performance

Similarly, after driving your car for awhile you’ll understand the levels of performance it can deliver in different situations. When you notice you are not getting your usual standards, such as decreased acceleration or braking, or even rougher handling, it may be time to get a tuneup to identify any potential concerns.

Pulling to One Side

A tuneup can also make sure your car’s tires are properly aligned. If you feel like you’re fighting with the wheel to keep your car going where you’re trying to point it, that means that you need a tuneup and possibly a realignment. A service professional can get underneath and determine the cause of pulling and get your car back to working at its best.

Shrieking Brakes

Keeping your brakes healthy is one of the most important safety tasks for any car owner. Squealing brakes is often an indication that your brakes need to be serviced, probably because the brake pads have worn down too far. A tuneup will get you new brakes so you can drive safely.

Stalling Problems

Often, problems in a car’s engine can make themselves known in smaller ways before leading to total engine failure, and getting a tuneup when those problems occur can save you a lot of money by avoiding an engine replacement. If your car is stalling out when in use, it is a sign that your engine needs to be checked on, so schedule a tuneup.

Trouble Starting

While stalling is one problem your engine can present, if you’re struggling to even get the engine running in the first place, that’s an even stronger sign that you need to have a tuneup. If you can get it running, make an immediate trip to the dealership for service, or if not, you may need to use a tow truck to get your car in for its tuneup.

Unusual Sounds

Just like you should listen to how your brakes sound when in use, listening to your engine is another excellent way to notice minor concerns before they become big ones. If you hear unusual sounds such as whining or rattling, that is a sign that your engine needs a checkup, so call the dealership to schedule a tuneup as soon as possible.

Few car maintenance efforts offer more rewards for less time and financial commitments than getting your vehicle checked out with regular tuneups. The service professionals at Huffines Kia Corinth specialize in providing the highest-quality maintenance service for all Kia models, so get in touch with us today if you have a car that’s due for a look. Our experienced staff will check it out and ensure it’s road-ready and operating at its best before you take it back out of the garage.

Image via HuffinesKiaCorinth.com


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