Toyotas may not be the sexiest cars on the road, but they have built up a reputation as a solid, reliable car that rarely throws you down. Keeping it in tip-top condition by having it serviced at regular intervals will ensure you continue to enjoy many miles of drama-free driving. If you’re a driver who notices the slightest change in your car noises or performance, you’ll easily pick up when something is off with your vehicle. For those who aren’t that “tuned in” to their car, here are some signs your Toyota needs a tuneup.
Struggling to Start
Toyotas are generally good when it comes to starting the minute you swing the ignition. If you’ve been experiencing trouble with starting your car, it’s a sign that something’s going on. There could be several reasons for this, like a battery that’s fading, a defective starter, an ignition sensor malfunction, or a problem along the fuel line. A diagnostic check will reveal where the problem lies.
Decreased Fuel Efficiency
Most of us have a good idea of how much mileage we get out of a full tank. If you find yourself pulling into the gas station more often than usual, something is causing the decrease in fuel efficiency. It could be something as simple as incorrect tire pressure or dirty spark plugs. But rather than plowing your hard-earned money into the gas tank, spend it fixing the problem and save money on fuel in the long run.
Misfiring of Engine
An engine misfire often means a problem with the spark plugs, and that’s a clear signal your car needs a tuneup. Over time, spark plugs become worn, fouled, or damaged. Other reasons for a misfire could be that the air/fuel mix is too lean (meaning there is too little gasoline in the mix to burn) or there’s loss of compression due to a blown gasket or burned valve.
Sluggish Acceleration
Bad spark plugs can also be the culprit when you find your car battling to accelerate. But one of the first things a mechanic will investigate is the fuel system. It could mean the fuel filter, fuel pump, or fuel injection system is at fault. A dirty air filter could also be the problem. Loss of power when accelerating is irritating but can also be hazardous, as the driver behind you may not be expecting such a slow takeoff and end up slamming into you.
Noisy or Poor Brakes
Brakes are super important, as they are crucial in safe driving. The last thing you want is to have the car’s brakes fail on you. Sometimes a squeak could be something as innocuous as dirty brakes. But if your brakes are squealing, you’re experiencing that “spongy” feeling, or you need to pump the brakes more than once to get them to respond, it’s probably time to replace the brake pads, rotors, or brake fluid.
As a car owner, none of these points should be a surprise, as they are obvious symptoms your car is a little under the weather and needs a quick visit to the car doctor. In addition, make sure to keep an eye on warning lights. If they light up, don’t ignore it — check it out sooner rather than later.
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors, used under CCO 1.0
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