• Routine maintenance will keep your Pontiac running smooth.Girl repair car on road image by Vasyl Dudenko from Fotolia.com
  
  Your Pontiac needs regular maintenance to keep it running smooth. This upkeep includes oil changes and routine service. Approximately every 30,000 miles, your car will also need a more significant service, often called a tune-up. During the tune-up, the mechanic will thoroughly check your car and may replace a few parts.
  
  

The Basics

• The tune-up includes many of the typical services included in your regular visits to the garage. An oil and oil filter change are standard. All of the fluids are checked and, if necessary, the fluids will be filled or flushed and replaced. Your tires will be inspected and rotated and a general safety check will be done. Your car will also be checked for leaks and damage.
  
  

Spark Plugs

• The spark plugs in your Pontiac typically need to be replaced every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. How long they last will depend on their specific design. You will also need to replace the spark plug wires. Spark plugs play a crucial role in the fuel system by allowing the electrical spark to travel through a small gap and ignite the fuel in the combustion chamber. If the spark plugs become corroded or clogged, it will prevent your car from running or even starting.
  
  

Belts and Pulleys

• You can also expect some of your Pontiac's belts and pulleys to be replaced. These parts suffer wear and tear, and they can cause major problems if they snap or break. Without the belts connecting the gears of your engine, it cannot run. Replacing them at regular intervals is the best preventative medicine. Common belts include the serpentine belt and the timing belt. Pulleys might include the idler and tensioner pulley.
  
  

Distributor Cap

• Depending on the age of your Pontiac, the distributor cap and rotor may be replaced. The distributor cap helps keep the wires in line and makes sure high voltage signals from the ignition coils travel to the spark plugs in the correct order. The rotor sits just inside the distributor cap.
  
  

Emissions

• The oxygen sensor monitors the exhaust stream and is used to determine the air to fuel ratio. This works in conjunction with the fuel injector by providing real-time feedback to control the mix of fuel and air. It also works in conjunction with the catalytic converter to help keep the emissions level in check. It is important that these parts are inspected, both to control emissions and to meet federal requirements. They will be repaired or replaced if they are malfunctioning.
  
  

Filters

• The air filter will be checked and replaced if it is dirty or clogged. The air filter keeps debris out of the engine. The fuel filter, like the air filter, can become clogged with dirt and debris as well. It is important to have the fuel filter checked and replaced if it begins to impede the flow of fuel.
  
  

Brakes

• Your brakes require regular inspections and maintenance just like the other parts of your Pontiac. During the tune-up, the mechanic will inspect the brake pads and cylinders. The pads can become worn and if you wait too long to take care of them, you can damage the brake shoes and discs, which can be very costly -- not to mention the hazard of driving with bad brakes! Worn brakes impede the stopping ability of your car.