What Does Tune Up Mean? This term is used to describe a process of bringing the vehicle back into good running condition, like it was new. In the 1970's and 1980's we did tune up's as we could replace some parts and make adjustments to points, timing, carburetor, idle speed, belt adjustment, valve adjustments, drum brake adjustments and servicing batteries. The term "Tune Up" can still be used today, it just has a different meaning now. Since the 1970's manufactures have moved away from adjustable components to improve reliability, performance and reduce emission outputs from vehicles. The cars of today actually "Tune Themselves as you drive" because of computers controlling ignition, fuel, emissions and transmission systems, and their adaptive logic programming. These systems still need maintenance and this maintenance is sometimes referred to as a tune up.