How Much Does a Car Tune Up Cost?

In this article we are going to talk more about tune ups, what they are, how they work, why we need them and perhaps most importantly what they can cost. If you have ever heard the old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" you will likely understand why a tune up is important.

What Is a Tune Up?

Many of us visit a doctor at least once a year for an annual check up just to help us get ahead of any potential health concerns that may be developing. We are far more complex than vehicles but they also require regular check ups to make sure they are running well and will continue to do so.

These check ups are known as “tune ups” which is a generic way to describe the performance of maintenance tasks in order to keep the vehicle running well. There are milestones in terms of mileage at which manufacturers will suggest you have certain elements checked out and potentially replaced.

Locate your vehicle's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual to see if you might be due for a tune up soon. Or if there is nothing needed right away be aware of any signs that mean you might want to book the vehicle early.

Signs Your Car Needs a Tune Up

Just like our bodies there can be signs in a car when things are not quite right. We wouldn’t wait six months for our annual check in with the doctor if we were starting to feel unwell now. To the same logic if the car starts to be problematic you might want to go for an earlier than scheduled tune up.

In this section we will look at some warning signs that it may be time to tune up the car.

Check Engine Light Comes On

This is a nice and easy sign to spot when it comes to there potentially being an issue with the car. If the check engine light illuminates on your dash then this means the vehicle's computer has received a message that there is something wrong that may require repair.

An OBD2 scanner tool can be used to determine exactly where this issue may be and you may need to get your vehicle into a mechanic for a tune up. Many of the issues that can cause a check engine light can be easily located and dealt with a routine basic tune up.

Reduced Fuel Economy

A good indication that something may be off in your engine is reduced fuel economy. If a full tank of gas is not getting you as far as it used to it could be an indication that the engine's efficiency has dropped. This can be caused by a number of issues which make the engine work harder than normal and expend more fuel.

Brake Issues

When you drive your car on a regular basis you generally know how well your brakes bite and how much pressure it takes to stop the vehicle. If you start to feel like your brakes are not engaging with their usual power then you may need to have this looked at.

Brake pads might be at fault and many tune ups include the possibility to replace these important components of your braking system. Of all the things you should not ignore, brake issues are high on the list.

Gear Shift Issues

Issues with the transmission can lead to problems when it comes to shifting through the gears. This ideally will be a smooth process but contaminated or low levels of transmission fluid can make for rough shifting.

This is something to get checked out with a tune up as not rectifying this issue can do lasting damage to your transmission. This damage can cost far more than a tune up in the long run.

Unusual Vibrations Sounds or Smells

Again we come back to knowing your car and recognizing if something unusual is happening. This may be in the form of a mechanical smell, sounds or new vibrations. Anything along these lines that is new to your car may indicate something is wearing out and may be about to break.

These are potential early warning signs that a tune up may be needed to get to the bottom of the issue. So odd smells, alarming new noises or vibrations can be an indication that you should not ignore.

How Much Does a Tune Up Cost?

So you have determined that it might be time to get the car tuned up a little. How much is that going to cost you? This can vary greatly depending on your model of car, the mechanic you go to and how comprehensive of a tune up you get.

On average a basic tune up can range from $50 - $250 with a more advanced tuning being upwards of $500 or more. Additional costs may also arise with the requirements to repair issues that are located that may not be covered by the tune up price.

What Happens in a Tune Up?

Tune ups can vary so make sure you know before you hand your car over just what they will be checking. In this section we will mention some of the more important things that can be checked. You may want to ensure your mechanic will be including some of these in their work.

Oil Change

This is a very standard part of a tune up and also takes part as maintenance at regular intervals outside of a more comprehensive check. Engine oil is the blood of the engine keeping the parts lubricated and turning smoothly. If we don’t have enough blood or our blood is contaminated we become unwell and this is the same with a vehicle's engine.

Oil changes take place every 3,000 – 10,000 miles depending on the model of car and the previous oil change. This is something we can do ourselves with a little mechanical know how, basic tools and $40 in supplies. A professional change may cost from $75 and up depending on the vehicle and oil type.

Spark Plugs

The spark plugs are part of the holy trinity of the internal combustion engine. In order to run an engine needs fuel, oxygen and a spark. This combination creates small explosions in the engine's cylinders which rotate the crankshaft and which in turn spin the drive wheels of your vehicle.

It may not surprise you then to discover that the spark plugs create the spark which ignites a mixture of fuel and oxygen. When these plugs become worn or dirty then this spark does not occur and the cylinder will not fire.

A misfire happens if a cylinder does not ignite correctly and if all the spark plugs no longer work the engine will not run at all. It is suggested that spark plugs should be changed every 30,000 – 100,000 miles. This can cost in the region of $100 - $200 for parts and labor.

Changing the Air Filters

There are two air filters in your car, one that filters the air into your vehicle's cabin and the other that filters air into the engine. Obviously the engine air filter is most important as if it becomes clogged it can compromise the engine airflow.

The cabin air filter is less vital as it is more a comfort issue and you can always open a window. Both however are inexpensive parts which cost at most $20. They are also easy to replace so technically you can do this yourself with a few basic tools.

Changing the Fuel Filter

This is a more important filter which should be changed every 20,000 – 30,000 miles to ensure that your fuel is not being contaminated with debris and contaminants. This can cause issues with engine performance so it is definitely important in a tune up.

It is a more complicated replacement than the air filters but if you have a bit of technical knowledge and the right tools you can do this yourself for about $25.

Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Replacement

The PCV valve is important to the car's combustion system as it helps release excess emission from the running of the engine. In order to do this the valve must supply the correct pressure and for this it must be working correctly.

Every 30,000 miles or so you may need to change this part as it can become clogged and stop working correctly. It is a fairly simple replacement that you might be able to perform yourself and the part should be less than $20.

Brake Replacements

Both brake pads and brake rotors should be routinely replaced to make sure your brakes are working at their best. The pads typically last 10,000 – 20,000 miles while the rotors last 50,000 – 70, 000 miles before replacement is needed.

This is a more complex piece of maintenance so you should be sure before attempting this fix yourself. Fitting these incorrectly could lead to problems with your brakes and potentially cause a crash. Depending on your vehicle's model you can be paying between $400 to $600 if not more for the brake pads and rotors alone.

Fluid Flushes

Several fluid systems should undergo flush outs and refills; these include transmission, coolant and power steering fluids. Transmission and coolant should be flushed every 30,000 miles while power steering lasts about 50,000 – 100,000 miles before a flush is needed.

Prices can vary from $40 - $300 depending on which fluid you are flushing and replacing. All of them are important to the operation of the vehicle so this maintenance can not be ignored. They can become dirty over time which decreases their effectiveness.

Can I Do My Own Tune Up?

A lot that is involved in a tune up can be done by an amateur at home mechanic if they have the right tools and know what they have to do. Issues can arise however that are beyond the scope of the basic maintenance.

Something else more complicated may need fixing or replacing so be aware of this possibility. A professional mechanic may also spot possible issues that you may miss in your own tune up attempts. You can certainly save a lot of money by doing it yourself but you may also miss other things that should be attended to if you do not know what you are looking for.

Conclusion

The average tune up can cost a few hundred dollars depending on what is covered not including any repairs that may also arise in the process of performing the maintenance. If you go to a reputable mechanic they will check with you before performing repairs beyond the scope of the tune up.

You should never be afraid of the cost of a tune up as doing this may save you hundreds if not thousands in later repairs that could have been avoided by catching an issue early.

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