The Honda Pilot LX is available in 2WD or 4WD and has a 3.5L 24-valve SOHC I-VTEC V6 engine; Variable Cylinder Management, hill start assist, ACE body structure, 3-row side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, active noise cancellation, ABS, and 17inch steel wheels. The Honda Pilot EX is also available in 2WD and 4WD and has the same 3.5L engine as the LX, upgrades include a tri-zone automatic climate control system with humidity control and air filtration, ten-way power adjustable driver seat, AM/FM stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD audio system, XM radio, chrome exhaust, optional rear view camera, Honda’s satellite-linked navigation system, and 17” machined alloy wheels. The Honda Pilot EX-L offers a one-touch power moon roof, acoustic windshield, leather-wrapped steering wheel, mounted navigation and phone controls, power adjustable passenger seat, heated front seats, and a premium 6-disc in-dash 10 speaker audio system The Honda Pilot Touring has all the standard features as the EX-L and a 1-touch power moon roof, power tailgate with lift-up glass hatch, Honda’s satellite-link navigation with voice recognition, integrated second row sunshades, corner and backup sensors, and seventeen” machined alloy wheels

The Honda Pilot has an impressive towing capability as well as 8 passenger, three row seating and an wonderful safety record. In this abundantly dog-eat-dog market, Honda will hold its own against the competition thanks to their distinguished Japanese brand and value automobiles With 87 cu ft of cargo space, satellite-linked navigation system, and an advanced 250 horsepower engine the Honda Pilot is a great choice for any family

Indeed, hybrid autos can give everybody great positive aspects. You may well not know it but hybrid vehicles can also advantage individuals persons who do not have cars and trucks. It may do this by emitting far reduce toxic fumes than traditional vehicle. This will mean that it is environmentally friendly and also makes air more healthy and additional breathable.

Hybrid auto proprietors also appreciate gains that the United States federal government imposed.  For example, mainly because it is energy efficient and emits few volumes of pollutants, the federal government imposed tax breaks for owners and buyers of hybrid vehicles. They will also enjoy free parking room and other kinds of benefits in the event you use a hybrid car.

You have to think about that it can be critical that folks today must conserve energy resource, particularly when the energy resource reserves inside planet is only restricted. Because of this, the hybrid auto could be the greatest answer for conserving energy and making the energy reserves all over the globe last.

Even when the cost of fuel is using a continuous rise, hybrid automobile owners practically don’t feel it.

These days, many auto makers are on the campaign to market hybrid automobiles as an choice to save energy resource. There are plenty of websites that offer free information on 2010 Honda CR-Z Price. One particular of these producers is Honda. Actually, Honda now features a line of hybrid cars and trucks available inside market right now. The business is now one from the leading businesses to produce a energy resource effective hybrid auto.

Honda is often a well-known name inside auto industry. Even before, they produce top quality autos with energy resource effective internal combustion motor. Now, Honda is taking it one step further by integrating the hybrid technologies in their cars and trucks.

A single vehicle that Honda formulated with hybrid technological know-how is their Honda Civic Hybrid. Although the Civic happen to be around for rather a while now, this new edition of Civic made by Honda now has the hybrid technology integrated. The Honda Civic is previously identified being fuel efficient. Now, using the hybrid technologies put in, it can allow you to enjoy far better gas mileage.

The Honda Civic Hybrid is tagged using the Innovative Technological know-how Partial Zero-Emission Automobile rating. This signifies that it is surely a green vehicle or an environmentally helpful car that everybody can benefit from. The integrated battery pack inside the vehicle is created to acquire you to the distance. With an 8 year/80,000 mile warranty, you may actually appreciate the Civic Hybrid for years to come.

An additional hybrid automobile that Honda formulated may be the Honda Accord Hybrid. This four-door sedan can be a high end luxury automobile that may enable you to conserve a lot of dollars on fuel usage. The Honda Accord Hybrid includes a 253 horsepower V6 motor to let you satisfy your need for speed. Also, it has an innovative electric motor and battery set up for you personally to be able to save income on energy usage.

Certainly, Honda is 1 of the foremost producers of hybrid cars. When you want a quality hybrid car or truck, feel of Honda as the hybrid auto manufacturer of your option.

The car gave a fresh look for the planet and transform the life style across the globe. We see car in various forms like cars, trucks, vans, bus along with other commonplace. Finding consumer auto reviews on the internet is simple. Now they are primarily implies of transportations for our household conveyances, our company tools and our good friends.
 
Several auto producers have created autos and automobile that the planet has appear to learn and they has emerged and successfully established their names and reputation.

Its not always possible for us to purchase new automobile if there is nay problem with an specific component of an car. Maintaining this point in mind vehicle manufacturer have produced vehicle components which are guaranteed to be close to perfect situation, trustworthy, tough, and top-notch when it comes for the high quality and other components are also obtainable inside the marketplace to the purpose of innovation, enhancement and refinement with the car.

On the net retailers are the main sources of automobile parts and add-ons have been of wonderful benefit to busy shoppers. Before it was an good problems for us to go in car shop for replacing small elements, but now you don’t need to par a visit to a elements dealer, just a easy click about the internet is all you require to obtain one

Quite a few automobile pieces corner serve your auto pieces, substitute pieces and collision elements requirements inside very best and most efficient way. You’ll be able to very easily find array parts and accessories for all your main vehicle models through the ideal auto parts manufacturers.

From now you do not need to think a lot about your auto and for its maintenance, at anytime you can change any component for ones vehicle and of same design. Contact your nearest auto element store and appreciate your driving with safely.

Anna Josephs is really a freelance journalist having experience of several many years writing articles and news releases on various topics including pet wellness, automobile and social concerns. She also has excellent interest in poetry and paintings, hence she likes to write on these subjects too.

A surprising entry into the Full size truck market, the new Honda Ridgeline has tons to offer. Costing less than $30,000 the Ridgeline stacks up greatly to most trucks in its market. Powering the Ridgeline from the RT model up to the RTL model is a High-torque 250-hp, 3.5-liter, 24-valve SOHC VTEC V6. Delivering 20 MPG and independent suspension, it is a great 4-wheel drive vehicle either on-road or off-road. The Honda Ridgeline comes standard with 5-passenger crew cab, 115-volt power outlet, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System. You can find the Honda Ridgeline and other used trucks at your local Honda dealer.

The RTS model of the Honda Ridgeline has all of the basics plus 10-way adjustable power seat, dual zone climate control, heavy duty floor mats and an integrated security system. With a power moon roof, fog lights, and heated mirrors you cannot beat the ride that this Ridgeline has to offer. With available navigation and an automatic transmission the price is as pleasing as the ride at around $35,000.

Going up against the established players in the full size truck market has required Honda to seek new markets for this truck. The selection of add-ons offered for the Ridgeline allows snowboarders, kayakers, fishermen, and hunters to enjoy Honda quality without giving up power.

The Ridgeline is power personified: Variable Torque Management 4-wheel drive system, 5000-lb. towing capacity, Up to 1,546 lb. total payload capacity, Integrated closed-box frame, Unit-body construction, Lockable In-Bed Trunk, Dual-action tailgate, and an integrated Class III trailer hitch.

Get ready for a surprise under the truckbed; Just because it is a truck does not mean you can only store things in the bed. The cab of the Ridgeline offers ample room for your belongings. There is room under the rear seat and cargo tray is durable and spacious, capable of handling all of your loose items. New systems like Bluetooth HandsFreeLink allows talking without taking your hands off the wheel. Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice recognition links you to 7 million points of interest.

The Honda engineers have outdone themselves this time. The Ridgeline is a worthy Full size truck with the features and power to compete with the F150, Silverado and Tundra.

By the early 1930’s, the Model A was available powered by a new flathead V8 engine producing around 80 horsepower. Drivers quickly learned they could double the horsepower by adding more carburetors, straightening the exhaust, and removing the muffler. Hot rodding did not expand until after World War II when it took off all over the United States, made popular by returning servicemen with newfound mechanical abilities, extra time and money, and the craving for speed and adrenaline. By the early 1950’s technology had made the engine such a potent machine that it was getting too dangerous to drive these on the roads, or race them as many did.

Hot rods were getting bad press at this time, so the NHRA was created and in 1953 there was the first official hot rod racing. The idea was to move racing off the street and require stricter safety regulations. The NHRA became a wild success, and within a few short years the hot rod had split off into a few paths. The term hot rod was now being used for racing cars, and street rods deemed a model driven on the street and not in sanctioned races

The quite first Honda SUV that was planned ‘in house’ by Honda was the CR-V in 1996. Whilst there was considerable uncertainty as to regardless of whether or not this sort of Honda SUV could sell too as it’s forerunner, the Honda Passport, the CR-V was released towards the US marketplace in 1997. You can find hundreds of websites with information about 2010 Honda Fit Price using search engines. The CR-V has consistently maintained exceptional sales ever considering that.

The 1st CR-V was designed and produced from 1996 through 1998 regarded because the LX type trim. Attractive features integrated rear-folding seats, a picnic table stored in the rear floor and plastic covered front and rear bumpers too as fender wells. The up coming type CR-V was about the marketplace from 1998 to 2001 and didn’t alter the entire body design but greater the motor power from your original and was transformed to an motor that generates 146-horse power and extra torsion. The beauty of the boost was that it didn’t have an effect on the fuel consumption or price with the auto.

The subsequent line of Honda CR-V’s was from 2002 by way of 2005 and the develop of this Honda SUV was provided a full restyling based for the most current Civic type. The new CR-V was also provided a more powerful motor with 106-horse power and improved torsion. This new motor even now provided the identical fuel economy since the earlier Honda CR-V designs. This Honda SUV was awarded the Vehicle and Driver magazine’s award for very best little SUV of 2002 and 2003.

In 2005, the CR-V received only a minor design change with 16-inch wheels rather than 15 inch, which has been on the earlier models. The taillights were also alterations in the color amber to red and white. The 2005 CR-V was also equipped with front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes and side-curtain airbags. While the subsequent CR-V model has not yet been unveiled, quite a few are guessing that the new model may have additional energy additionally for the alternative of getting an onboard navigation system.

Make certain you check out the exciting new 2006 Honda CR-V at Honda dealers now!

Newer cars have more safety design features than classic cars, including reinforced crumple zones. Old cars were built with all steel and if your car is unrestored, could be quite rusted out creating more safety concerns. Anti-lock brakes and air bags are other safety features that cannot be added to classic cars, but usually the brakes can be upgraded. Many old cars did not have disk brakes, which are an improvement over other older brake styles. There are kits to nearly change any brake setup to disk brakes. Glass can sometimes be another safety issue, and if your car is truly an old original the windshield may not have shatter resistant glass. No seat belts and non shatter proof glass can be a deadly combination.

Seat belts and safety issues in general are always debatable within the classic car community. Some classic car owners do not like the idea of adding non original parts, as they can be judged negatively in contests. There is a growing trend of owners that do care about safety more than originality, and many of these owners have a family and drive them around in their car, which likely shapes their decision. Classic cars owners usually drive their collectors very carefully, but that can never truly protect you. Whatever choice you make, make sure you look at all your choices and weigh them carefully.

One common problem with purchasing used cars online is that you can waste time and money chasing up deals that are nowhere near as good as they seemed on the web. However sometimes, newspaper classified ads have the same problem. It is possible to miss out important information when all you have to go on is a picture and a couple of lines of text. And that is why some people prefer to put their questions to the seller over the phone before they decide to actually go and view the car. Then you can eliminate the chance of wasting time and money on petrol if you find out all you need to know over the phone. Or to be really savvy at keeping your costs down, you could simply compile all your questions in an email and send it to the seller.

It is really important to establish the identity of the seller when you are looking to buy used cars online. You can normally ask for some form of identification when you actually go to view the car. This is important because if you know who somebody is they are less likely to sell you something dodgy. And you should also note that you could check whether or not a car has been stolen by doing an online vehicle check using the VIN number of the car. Although some really clever criminals can find a way around this.

Whenever you happening to be looking for used cars for sale, you are always better off trying to research your vehicles beforehand. Researching allows you to find the very best used cars for the category you are looking for. When your research is done, you could very well end up with a great used volvo or even a used cars Avon.

That is acceptable providing thecost you paid gives you room to undertake those repairs and until now show a saving over a similar used car

Here are a few pointers for checking a pre-owned car before any purchase.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ASSESSING A motor vehicle BEFORE YOU BUY The basic principles of assessing pre-owned car before buying it are:

- Check everything out.

- Test everything.

- Check the car’s history.

- Record everything you find.

Prior to deciding to commencement checking the auto, make sure you are ready to take note of and note your findings.

If you only remember these four principles, you can expect to potential get a good purchasing appraisal even without any more detaileds. nevertheless, It’s not always possible to get it done exactly as described, but try to stick to the procedures in addition to you are able to. You may also make use of the plan like a check-list during inspection of buying used cars online.

LOOK Everything OVER

Before starting the automobile, you must examine the whole car externally and internally in a orderly manner:

- Go round the car and look everywhere. Search for broken windowpanes, unclear windows, unclear or broken mirrors, bumps, rust or stained painting.

- Then look especially closely at the channels on the sides. Look for any rust and damage.

- Try to open and close all doors. Look around the doors, both at the doors themselves and the frames around the doors. Try the locks in every door.

- Look at the wheels and the wheel suspension.

- Look under the car. Look especially for rust, broken parts or unsymmetrical parts.

- Look in the boot. Look under carpets and covers. Look especially for cracks, rust or unsymmetrical parts. Such problems can indicate that the car has been subjected to damage at some time in the past.

- Look under the bonnet. Check for loose parts. Does everything seems firm and in place? Is there much rust? Are there signs of oil leakage? Is it very dirty, and what kind of dirt is present? Some dirt is normal, but extreme and unusual dirt should give you something to think about. Do you see any cracks or any asymmetry? Are there any signs of repair work done? Such evidence indicates that the car has been through an accident.

- Try the suspension by bouncing each of the corners of the car. They should bounce only one or two times in every corner, and without any cracking noise.

- Look to see if the car has spare wheels, standard tools for repair and wheel shift, and both summer and winter wheels present.

- Then turn the key so that the electric systems are activated.

- Take a look at everything inside the cabin. Look under the carpets. Sit down in every one seating. Try all positions of the seats.

- Try all electric windows, electric mirrors together with other commodities that are electrically operated.

- Try out all lights, such as the signal lights and also the horn. If many of them do not work, replace with a brand new bulb, to determine if this sounds like the only problem.

- Try the radio, car computer, music equipment and any Navigation unit.

START THE MOTOR AND TEST

After having inspected the automobile throughout, the time is right to start the motor. The motor should ideally be started when it’s cold. A motor started easily when it’s warm, doesn’t necessarily start easily when cold.

- Start the motor. Does the motor start easily or not? Listen for sound of uneven motor, sounds of vibrations or sounds of friction. Do you feel any vibrations outside the normal?

- When starting the motor, kick the brake pedal. It should easily go lower and activate the brakes when the motor is started. Or else, the brake servo is frequently broken.

- Listen for unusual or high sounds from the exhaust system indicating breakage.

- Look at the dashboard panel. Do all indicators work? Does any indicator signal any problem?

- Try the steering by turning the steering wheels. How much do you have to rotate it before the wheels turn? It should not be more than around 2 cm or .8 inch.

- Try the window washers and the window wipers, and any rear wiper and washers.

- Activate the clutch, and try all the gearing if it is manually geared.

- Try out the cabin heater or air-con.

TEST DRIVE

Then go for a test drive. When you are test-driving your vehicle, you should try out the following:

- Set the gearbox in reverse, and back straight from the parking place. Does the gas as well as the clutch work smoothly when backing? Does the vehicle get smoothly into motion?

- Set the car in motion forewords. Does the gas along with the clutch work smoothly in foreword motion? Does the vehicle get smoothly into foreword motion?

- Raise the speed and gear about second gear if the car is manually geared. If it has automatic gearshift, just speed up until the second gear takes hold. Any kind of problems to increase one gear? In the event the car comes with a automatic gearbox, does the 2nd gear start working when expected?

- Try the breaks from a low speed. Is there any difficulty while using brakes, like poor action, vibrations or unmoral noises? Does the automobile pull to one side by using the brakes?

- Park the car and note down your complete findings at this point. Then start again.

- Try a wider range of speeds, and the rest of the gears. Should the car comes with a automatic gearbox, do the other gears start working when expected? Does the motor feel quick, or do you find it lazy?

- Be conscious of the car mechanics. Perhaps there is rattling or whining sounds from anywhere? Be especially responsive to funny sounds in the gearbox or unexpected motor sounds.

- Be cautious about any smell of gasoline, diesel, oil or anything burnt during drive?

- Does the car go in a straight line and direction at higher speeds, or does it wiggle or pull to one side. Is it still easy to steer it both to right and left? Is the steering accurate?

- Try the breaks from a higher speed and notice any irregularities.

- Look at the figures for motor temperature. Could it be within the normal range?

- Finish by testing the reverse once more when parking.

- When finished the test drive, look under the hood. Do you see any oil leaks, or water leaks, or is there any unexpected high temperature? Is there any smell of burnt substance? Is there any smell of gasoline or diesel?

- Note down all your findings.

CHECK THE PAPERS AND CAR HISTORY

Then, before buying the vehicle, check all the papers.

- Go through the service book. Has the car had all its services?

- Look into all repair bills. All of these should ideally follow the car.

- Look at the mileage indicator to view the length of time the car might have been driven.

- Take out a history story on the car from authorities, insurance providers or other instances offering such reports. An illustration of this such a report is a Carfax report that can be taken out online.

- In most countries or areas dept issues or fines that the owner has generated go through the car for the new owner. Such issues are especially significant to look at. Learn how to accomplish that, will vary from place to place.

- Ask the seller about history issues, as an example accidents the car has gone through. For those who have found some signs indicating some issue, ask directly about them. Many sellers will be honest and tell any truth. In some cases you are able to guess from how owner answers if he could be lying or not.

DECIDING

By the end, you should decide several things depending on the findings.

- To begin with, is this truly the car type you need? Otherwise, decline the offer, even though everything looks fine.

For those who have decided that this is actually the car type for you, then think farther.

- Could be the car in such a good condition that it is possible to bring it to the standard you require Or else, decline the offer.

- Then think about how much time and effort the repair of the car will cost you. While you let a workshop repair the automobile, you must expend time by bringing the car back and forth from the workshop, by explaining what to repair, by waiting, by checking after repair, and so on.

- What do you think the repair of the car will cost?

- You can now decide if the car may be worth buying all things considered, and the maximal price worth paying.

- And also the last point.. discuss the purchase price with the seller, even whether it is within the right budget range.

Then eventually, all things considered checking, thinking, and discussing the price, you are able to decide to buy or not.

Now .. Go straight to Car Dealer Network and create an absolutely free Membership account and begin finding your next Used Car

The only engines that still need a tune-up today are old ones from the 1970s and back with carburetors and distributors. Yet the tune-up myth persists, and may people still think it is some kind of “cure-all” for what ails their engine. To make matters worse, many new car dealers (particularly import dealers) tell their customers they need a 60,000 mile “major” tune-up (whatever that is).

No Definition for a Tune-Up

There’s no common definition of what exactly a tune-up should include, but most would agree that it involves replacing the spark plugs and performing other adjustments to maintain or restore like-new engine performance. The problem is there is almost nothing that can adjusted or “tuned” under the hood on late model engines with computerized engine controls. Ignition timing is fixed and controlled by the engine computer, as is idle speed and the fuel mixture. In the past your average home mechanics had all the tools needed in thier tool boxes, but now this isn’t the case. Base timing can be checked with a scan tool, but cannot be adjusted on most engines. The same goes for idle speed and various emission functions. A scan tool can reveal if the systems are functioning normally, but in most cases no adjustments are possible because the adjustments are programmed into the computer.

A simple maintenance type tune-up (a new set of plugs) may make an engine easier to start, improve fuel economy, lower emissions, restore lost pep and power if the spark plugs are worn or fouled. But if the problem is due to something else, a new set of plugs alone won’t help. A tune-up under these circumstances would be a waste of time and money. The engine needs to be diagnosed to find out what is wrong.

TUNE-UP CHECKS

An engine check-up should start with a scan for any current, pending or past fault codes. This requires plugging a scan tool or code reader into the vehicle diagnostic connector so the tool can communicate with the powertrain control module (PCM). This tool should be in every technician’s toolbox and if your mechanic says he doesn’t have this tool then you need to go to a different mechanic. The onboard diagnostic system does an excellent job of monitoring all the key systems, and on most 1996 and newer vehicles it can even detect engine misfires. If no faults are found, and the engine is running normally, the check-up is not over because there are additional things that should also be checked (especially if the engine is NOT running normally or any fault codes were found with a scan tool):

• Battery voltage
• Charging voltage
• Power balance or dynamic compression (to identify any mechanical problems such as leaky exhaust valves, worn rings, bad head gasket, bad cam, etc. that could adversely affect compression and engine performance)
• Engine vacuum (to detect air leaks as well as exhaust restrictions)
• Operation of the fuel feedback control loop (to confirm that the system goes into closed loop operation when the engine warms up)
• Check exhaust emissions (this should be a must in any area that has an emissions testing program to confirm the vehicle’s ability to meet the applicable clean air standards, and to detect gross fuel, ignition or emission problems that require attention)
• Verify idle speed (should be checked even if computer controlled to detect possible ISC motor problems); Idle mixture (older carbureted engines only, but injector dwell can be checked on newer vehicles to confirm proper feedback fuel control)
• Check ignition timing — if possible (should be checked even if it is not adjustable to detect possible computer or sensor problems)
• Operation of the EGR valve.

OTHER CHECKS

In addition to these performance checks, hoses and belts should be visually inspected.

All fluids (oil, coolant, automatic transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid) should also be inspected to make sure all are at the proper level, and that the appearance and condition of each is acceptable. There should be no sludge in the oil, the ATF should not smell like burnt toast, the coolant should have the proper concentration of antifreeze and not be full of rust or sediment, the brake fluid should be clear and not full of muck, etc.

WHAT TO REPLACE

If the tune-up checks find no major faults, the following items can be replaced for preventive maintenance:

• Spark plugs (gapped to the correct specs, of course). Consider long life platinum or iridium spark plugs on applications where plug accessibility is difficult or where longer service life may be beneficial
• Rotor and/or distributor cap (if required)
• Fuel filter; Air filter; PCV valve and breather filter
• Other parts on an “as needed” basis (things like spark plug wires, belts, hoses, fluids, etc.)
• Check and adjust (if required on older vehicles) ignition timing, idle speed and idle mixture; O2 sensor(s).

OXYGEN SENSORS

Oxygen sensors on late model vehicles should last 100,000 to 150,000 miles under normal driving and operating conditions (which does NOT include an engine that burns oil, or vehicles that have been under water!). The oxygen sensor is a key sensor that can hurt fuel economy if it is getting old or has failed. One EPA study found that up to 70% of high mileage vehicles that fail an emissions test need a new O2 sensor.

Does this mean that the O2 sensor should be replaced as part of the tune-up? No, it should only be tested to make sure it is working properly if there is a problem with fuel economy or the vehicle fails an emission test.

Oxygen sensors are expensive to replace. They typically cost $35 to $70 each, and some may cost upwards of $200 or more depending on the application. In addition, V6 and V8 engines have one oxygen sensor for each cylinder bank, and some have two. There are also one or more oxygen sensors in the exhaust system to monitor the catalytic converter(s). So oxygen sensors are not something you want to replace unless it is absolutely necessary.

Some manufacturers do recommend replacing oxygen sensors for preventive maintenance, however. The recommended replacing interval for unheated 1 or 2 wire wire O2 sensors on 1976 through early 1990s applications is 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Heated 3 and 4-wire O2 sensors on mid-1980s through mid-1990s applications should be changed every 60,000 miles. And on OBD II equipped vehicles (all 1996 and newer), some recommended replacing the oxygen sensors at 100,000 mile intervals. CLEANING FUEL INJECTORS

Dirty fuel injectors are a common problem that can hurt engine performance, fuel economy and emissions. Many experts recommend cleaning the fuel injectors and intake system as part of a tune-up. The need for injector cleaning isn’t as great as it once was thanks to improved fuel additives and redesigned injectors. But in areas that have gone to reformulated gasoline, injector clogging is more of an issue.

Fuel varnish deposits that form in injectors restrict fuel delivery, which has a leaning effect on the air/fuel mixture. The result can be lean misfire and a general deterioration in engine performance and responsiveness. Deposits can also build up on the backs of intake valves, causing cold hesitation problems in many engines.

The cure is to clean the injectors and valves. Cleaning is recommended for any engine that is suffering a performance complaint or has more than 50,000 miles on the odometer. Cleaning the throttle body can also help eliminate idle and stalling problems that plague many of today’s engines.

THE 100,000 MILE “NO TUNE-UP” MYTH

The spark plug replacement interval on most late model engines with platinum or iridium spark plugs is 100,000 miles. But that does not mean the engine requires no maintenance whatsoever for 100,000 miles.

Regular oil and filter changes are still necessary to maintain proper engine lubrication. Most experts still recommend changing the oil and filter 3,000 miles or three to six months. The oil change interval can be stretched out to reduce maintenance costs if a vehicle is driven under ideal conditions (no extremely hot or cold weather, no short trip, stop-and-go driving, no excessive idling, no extremely dusty road conditions, no trailer towing, no turbocharging). But the average driver is more often than not a “severe service” driver so should follow the 3,000 mile change interval.

Today’s 100,000 mile tune-up interval also skirts around the issue of fuel filter and air filter replacement. A number of new cars and trucks now have “lifetime” fuel filters, most of which are located inside the fuel tank with the electric fuel pump. Such a filter might go 100,000 miles. Then again, it might not. A couple of tanks of bad gas or some erosion caused by accumulated moisture can cut short the life of any filter, even a so-called lifetime filter. Sooner or later even a lifetime fuel filter will have to be replaced.

As for air filters, the service life depends more on environmental factors rather than time or mileage. If a vehicle is driven on gravel roads, filter life may only be a few months or few thousand miles.

Many vehicles also have a cabin air filter for the passenger compartment. This also needs to be replaced at specific intervals (see your owners manual for the location and recommended service interval).

Repairs are also inevitable regardless of what the tune-up interval is supposed to be. It’s pretty unlikely that a set of front disc brake pads will go 100,000 miles in city driving — 20,000 to 30,000 miles is a more realistic figure. The same goes for belts, hoses, the battery, water pump, exhaust system and many other parts. No vehicle that’s yet been built can even come close to going 100,000 miles without needing some type of maintenance or repair.

THE 60,000 MILE MAJOR TUNE-UP

Many import dealers promote a 60,000 mile major tune-up that includes a long list of items they supposedly check, and may also include normal tune-up replacement parts such as spark plugs and filters. They may also do a coolant flush, transmission flush and/or brake fluid flush. The service is fairly expensive ($250 to $1000 or more!), and is likely unnecessary provided you have changed your oil regularly, you have kept your fluid levels full, and the engine is not experiencing any problems. I think people who spend this kind of money to have their engine examined should also have their head examined. But if you want to pay for a “piece-of-mind” check-up, your new car dealer will be more than happy to accommodate you.