You may have heard people questioning whether or not cars and trucks still need tuneups.

Over the past decade, there have been lots of technological advances in automobiles. Despite all the changes and upgrades, most car and truck engines are somewhat similar to those that your parents and grandparents drove back in the day.

Depending on your car or truck, you should still take it in for a tuneup every year or every 30,000 to 60,000 miles.

Tuneups have changed over the years. For example, the cars of today no longer need its points and condenser regularly changed.

Today’s tuneups include some car care necessities that every car owner should do if they want their car to run smoothly. These include:

• Replacing Filters: During a tuneup, a mechanic will replace most of the filters in your vehicle. This will help to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly. Filters help to catch any dirt or debris that can harm your car or truck’s engine.
• Check and Fill Fluids: It’s very important to have your vehicle’s fluids checked and refilled if necessary. Fluids are the lifeblood of any vehicle and must be refilled and sometimes replaced to prolong the life of your vehicle.
• Chang Spark Plugs: Depending on the type of spark plugs in your car or truck, they may have to be replaced during a tuneup. Old spark plugs waste gas and hurts the performance of your vehicle.
• Check Battery: During a tuneup, mechanics also check your car or truck’s battery. It’s important to have your battery regularly checked, so you’re not stranded in a parking lot with a dead battery. It’s especially important to have your battery check-in areas with warmer climates because batteries wear out faster.
• Check And Replace Belts: During a tuneup, a mechanic will also check the condition of the belts in your car or truck. It’s important to replace worn belts to ensure your car or truck’s engine operates smoothly.

Before getting a tuneup be sure to check your car or truck’s owner’s manual to see when it recommends routine maintenance on these parts. You could also talk to a certified mechanic before your next El Paso car tuneup or your next Las Cruces car tuneup.