(generic images used for general idea)

Getting ready for a Tune Up.

!! Most important !!

1)  Make sure your car has the recommended oil grade, filled to the correct level and holds good oil pressure / no oil warning lights on.

2) Correct coolant level, and no leakages.

3) No known mechanical issues within the engine which could cause damage during or after a tuning session.

4) FRESH FUEL - Modern fuels seem to have a very low shelf life in a vehicle, and hence fresh fuel (2 or more gallons depending on vehicle) is essential.

5) A good battery charge.......if you have a charger, perhaps put the battery on charge the night before.

6)  Consider where the tuning will take place, and perhaps as a bare minimum position the exhaust to face out of the garage/lock up etc.

What parts do you need to buy in advance?

Whilst every component was at one point in time new, it is important that all the key components of the ignition and fuelling systems are in good working order.  If you have any doubts at all it can be money well spent to buy such as the following ahead of my visit:-

• Spark plugs (Correct grade, quality brand name & from a reliable trust worthy source to avoid buying cheap fakes)
• Distributor cap, rotor arm, points and condensor.  (current condensor qualities are very poor, please buy a spare!)
• Air filter/s - Just as you and I like to breath clean filtered air, car engines are also the same.
• If you are asking me to convert your distributor from points and condenser to an electronic ignition module please buy a good quality ignition module and ballast resistor if originally fitted.  Please also 'double check' that your existing ignition coil is compatible.  Again if you have any doubts then buy a compatible ignition coil from the module supplier (You can always send it back if not required, but if your existing coil is not compatible it may become essential on the day to get your car converted to electronic ignition and running again.)

Can I buy the parts in advance?

In the car owners eyes this sounds like a good idea and in a 'stand alone' sense it perhaps is.  However, please consider that researching the exact parts for your car, choosing the most appropriate seller and then communicating the order to them all requires time.  Sadly having the available 'free of charge' time to do this during a normal working day is where the idea starts to fall down. 

In addition any faulty, wrongly packaged, unwanted spare items, cancelled appointments for which I've already bought the parts, which inevitably occur from time to time.................guess who then gets the task of administrating their return/refund etc etc ??

So for cars where new parts will need to be purchased in advance of the tuning session, for the above reasons the vehicle owner generally purchases their own required parts in advance.  On the plus side, you get the parts 'at cost', rather than with an administrative fee charged. 

Where ever possible I of course offer as much guidance as possible to ensure that the correct parts are requested, and ordered.  However, please also do your very best to research the parts needed based on your...... Car....Make...Model...Year...engine/model variant.

Thank you!