In past years, a tune-up could be conducted in your garage or under a shady tree at home. Back then, a tune-up consisted of replacing the ignition points, spark plugs, and occasionally the distributor cap, and ignition wires. But, that was then. Today's vehicles with electronic fuel injection and direct ignition systems mean all of these tasks are taken care of by the on-board engine management computers. The whole concept of the electronic engine control system is to maintain the air/fuel mixture and ignition timing for longer periods of time.
This is accomplished by using electronic fuel injectors and computer-controlled ignition timing. These powerful microcomputers can adjust the fuel delivery and spark timing for each individual power stroke of each cylinder of the engine. These computers are also equipped with memory and learning capabilities. With the new age of computer-assisted engines and transmissions, more power from smaller displacement engines that produce cleaner emissions run better for longer and are more fuel efficient. With no more points and condensers, today's high-energy ignition systems coupled with double platinum-tipped spark plugs are good for 100,000 miles.
Combine this with the engine's ability to maintain the proper air/fuel ratio of 14.7:1 and you will have longer maintenance intervals. Some conveniences of computer-assisted engines are the sensors to monitor an engine's efficiency.